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Sure, but are people like the ones in this article or MMM seriously advocating that their philosophy will solve poverty? It's always struck me as middle or even

Sure, but are people like the ones in this article or MMM seriously advocating that their philosophy will solve poverty? It's always struck me as middle or even upper middle class people revolting against over consumption and debt. Insofar as that's the case it seems like a positive development. And I don't see why we can't do two things at once, address inequality and poverty and reform out-of-control consumerism.

azernik 9y ago
I've heard this frequently in right-wing circles; see e.g. the complaints about people on welfare having (shock!) smartphones.
- AstralStorm 9y ago
  People in Sudan have too. An older smartphone can be had for very little nowadays. As can be a budget model.
- ericd 9y ago
  Smartphones are an expensive luxury, not a necessity. I think the expectation is that people on the public dole should be trying to save as much as possible and try to get off of welfare.
  - anigbrowl 9y ago
    A moderately capable smartphone can be had for $100 and up, especially if you're not aiming for the latest model. That makes it very competitive with laptops, and provides the owner with communications, mapping, and access to all kinds of services which will make it easier to get by and considerably easier to do things like job hunting. Dismissing it as an expensive luxury is absurd.
    - ericd 9y ago
      I don't think it's absurd. The $100 purchase price is a tiny fraction of the all-in cost of the phone, and if you're touting its usefulness in lieu of a laptop, you're talking about using a large amount of data, which usually means an expensive voice+data plan ($600-800/yr). Otherwise, a laptop and using the internet at one's local library is a much better option if utility and saving money are the priorities. A prepaid flip phone is usually better for actually making calls.
conradev 9y ago
> Sure, but are people like the ones in this article or MMM seriously advocating that their philosophy will solve poverty? It sure looks like that to me: "My Courses to Help You Make More Money" - https://millennialmoneyman.com https://millennialmoneyman.com
- xboxnolifes 9y ago
  MMM isn't millennial money man, it's Mister Money Mustache.
  - conradev 9y ago
    ah, well that link was one of the ones referenced in the article.

azernik 9y ago

I've heard this frequently in right-wing circles; see e.g. the complaints about people on welfare having (shock!) smartphones.

AstralStorm 9y ago
People in Sudan have too. An older smartphone can be had for very little nowadays. As can be a budget model.
ericd 9y ago
Smartphones are an expensive luxury, not a necessity. I think the expectation is that people on the public dole should be trying to save as much as possible and try to get off of welfare.
- anigbrowl 9y ago
  A moderately capable smartphone can be had for $100 and up, especially if you're not aiming for the latest model. That makes it very competitive with laptops, and provides the owner with communications, mapping, and access to all kinds of services which will make it easier to get by and considerably easier to do things like job hunting. Dismissing it as an expensive luxury is absurd.
  - ericd 9y ago
    I don't think it's absurd. The $100 purchase price is a tiny fraction of the all-in cost of the phone, and if you're touting its usefulness in lieu of a laptop, you're talking about using a large amount of data, which usually means an expensive voice+data plan ($600-800/yr). Otherwise, a laptop and using the internet at one's local library is a much better option if utility and saving money are the priorities. A prepaid flip phone is usually better for actually making calls.

conradev 9y ago

> Sure, but are people like the ones in this article or MMM seriously advocating that their philosophy will solve poverty? It sure looks like that to me: "My Courses to Help You Make More Money" - https://millennialmoneyman.com https://millennialmoneyman.com

xboxnolifes 9y ago
MMM isn't millennial money man, it's Mister Money Mustache.
- conradev 9y ago
  ah, well that link was one of the ones referenced in the article.