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That argument is both true and deceiving at the same time. The poorest countries are improving the most because they are so far behind everyone else that any im
by porpoisely 8y ago
That argument is both true and deceiving at the same time. The poorest countries are improving the most because they are so far behind everyone else that any improvement is spectacular when viewed as a percentage.
Take a homeless person who has a penny to his name. You give him $100 and his wealth skyrockets by 1000000% in a day. Compare that to bill gates whose wealth probably increases by a "measly" 10% per year. But if you look at the wealth increase by absolute numbers rather than percentages, the picture is quite different. Bill Gates' 10% probably gets him $10 billion while the homeless man's 1000000% gets him $100.
$10 billion vs $100.
10% vs 1000000%.
Whereas the mainstream media may be too pessimistic, rosling is even more optimistic. The idea that the poorest countries ( like CAR ) is going to lead the world is unrealistic barring some apocalyptic event in the US, Europe, East Asia, Middle East.
- RealityVoid 8y ago> The idea that the poorest countries ( like CAR ) is going to lead the world is unrealistic barring some apocalyptic event in the US, Europe, East Asia, Middle East. I don't think that OP was arguing that will happen. He was just arguing that growth is happening and they are catching up.
- grecy 8y ago> The idea that the poorest countries ( like CAR ) is going to lead the world is unrealistic barring some apocalyptic event in the US, Europe, East Asia, Middle East. That's not at all what I said. What I meant was that Sweden (and every developed country) improved in one generation from where CAR is today to where Sweden is today. CAR is currently improving faster than Sweden ever did, so it's probably that in one generation CAR will be where Sweden is today. Of course, Sweden will probably improve in that same generation.
- drinfinity 8y ago> CAR is currently improving faster than Sweden ever did, so it's probably that in one generation CAR will be where Sweden is today. Yeah... that's not how it works. Yesterday you had zero wifes. Today, on your wedding you have 1. Thus, just plotting the trend, tomorrow you have 2. You'll soon have dozens. https://xkcd.com/605 https://xkcd.com/605
- grecy 8y ago> Yeah... that's not how it works. But Sweden, and every other developed country on the planet did it, so why do you assume that other countries can't or won't. They're currently doing a faster job of improving than any other country ever did... yes, even the one YOU live in.