3 ms·

That strongly depends on your definition of "better".

WalterBright 4y ago
How about average height? Check out the US figures for the 19th century. Height turns out to be a very good proxy of prosperity.
- ncmncm 4y ago
  The Netherlands have better height. It is not genetic: they didn't, historically. In the US it is decreasing. And, shall we compare infant mortality figures? How about life expectancy? Europe does better than the US on all but mean income, which is skewed by billionaires. Having more billionaires does not favor your argument.
  - WalterBright 4y ago
    Infant mortality measurement varies because different countries have different measures of what constitutes a baby. The US tries very hard to save preemies, and those failures are considered infant mortality. Other countries don't, calling them miscarriages. It's a moot point anyway, as infant mortality has declined to statistical noise level in all the first world countries. Life expectancy: America has a big problem with obesity, which is a side effect of prosperity. Obesity negatively influences life expectancy. Income: income needs to be expressed in terms of Purchasing Power Parity. Besides, what evidence do you have that this is skewed by billionaires? I'll stick with average height. It's a pretty good indicator of a prosperous country, up until the genetic potential is reached. As for the Dutch, having traveled in Holland, they appear to have a culture of more healthy food. It's their choice, and this choice is available to Americans, too. Nobody makes Americans drink soda pop all day.
    - ncmncm 4y ago
      Move goalposts, much? Declining average height indicates something real. And, American obesity, and (more to the point) prevalence of metabolic disorder causing it, is not a product of prosperity. It is, ultimately, a product of dysfunctional government, with a consequence of falling prosperity.
    - adrianN 4y ago
      As far as I know obesity declines with wealth. I'm not sure you should classify it as a side effect of prosperity. Most countries are able to provide more than enough calories for their populace, that's a fairly out-of-date measure of prosperity.

How about average height? Check out the US figures for the 19th century. Height turns out to be a very good proxy of prosperity.

ncmncm 4y ago
The Netherlands have better height. It is not genetic: they didn't, historically. In the US it is decreasing. And, shall we compare infant mortality figures? How about life expectancy? Europe does better than the US on all but mean income, which is skewed by billionaires. Having more billionaires does not favor your argument.
- WalterBright 4y ago
  Infant mortality measurement varies because different countries have different measures of what constitutes a baby. The US tries very hard to save preemies, and those failures are considered infant mortality. Other countries don't, calling them miscarriages. It's a moot point anyway, as infant mortality has declined to statistical noise level in all the first world countries. Life expectancy: America has a big problem with obesity, which is a side effect of prosperity. Obesity negatively influences life expectancy. Income: income needs to be expressed in terms of Purchasing Power Parity. Besides, what evidence do you have that this is skewed by billionaires? I'll stick with average height. It's a pretty good indicator of a prosperous country, up until the genetic potential is reached. As for the Dutch, having traveled in Holland, they appear to have a culture of more healthy food. It's their choice, and this choice is available to Americans, too. Nobody makes Americans drink soda pop all day.
  - ncmncm 4y ago
    Move goalposts, much? Declining average height indicates something real. And, American obesity, and (more to the point) prevalence of metabolic disorder causing it, is not a product of prosperity. It is, ultimately, a product of dysfunctional government, with a consequence of falling prosperity.
  - adrianN 4y ago
    As far as I know obesity declines with wealth. I'm not sure you should classify it as a side effect of prosperity. Most countries are able to provide more than enough calories for their populace, that's a fairly out-of-date measure of prosperity.