I doubt the people in slums appreciate this type of pity. Slums have vibrant and complex economies, just at lower denominations. Basic necessities can be met in

I doubt the people in slums appreciate this type of pity. Slums have vibrant and complex economies, just at lower denominations. Basic necessities can be met in all sorts of ways but people born in rich countries have distorted notions of basic and can end up forcing "luxuries" upon people. Luxuries that cannot be afforded and so actually destroy economic activity and the ability to work and strive. Americans are especially prone to this as the current generations are so far removed from the realities of the world. Economically it is impossible for everyone in the world to live like middle-class America but because of their compassion (guilt) when facing actual market conditions, react by trying to hide ignore or outlaw slum economies. This is the road to hell being paved with good intentions. I am also prone to this as despite being incredibly welathy relative to the world as a bay area software engineer I still feel like something is "missing" and am striving for something. This desire, which drives my life, is disrupted when I see things like slums. The self-interested striving can only be justified is I am a striver than someone who has a certain responsibility to the world. Smart people considering others "dumb" instead of the self smart also dodges this responsibility so that the individual can self-indulgent ly pursue interests rather than teach and not be appreciated. I suspect culturally and biologically we renomalize so quickly so that there is always something better for tomorrow so that we have a reason to live for today.