I’d guess that, in practice, the ratio is more important for birth rates. Humans seem to be wired to judge their position in life relative to those around them.

I’d guess that, in practice, the ratio is more important for birth rates. Humans seem to be wired to judge their position in life relative to those around them. So, you make more, but then you end up around other people who also make more. And now it doesn’t feel like you’re making that much money. The crazy thing is that this seems to hold true almost all the way up to the 1%. IMO, the winning strategy is to be weird.