2 ms·

> That is, people don't starve because there's not enough food, they aren't homeless because there are not enough houses and apartments, they are not left untre

> That is, people don't starve because there's not enough food, they aren't homeless because there are not enough houses and apartments, they are not left untreated for medical conditions for lack of doctors and nurses etc. People don't actually starve today, because food scarcity is now a problem humanity has almost-entirely solved (the exceptions are war-torn parts of sub-Saharan Africa, not anywhere in a developed country). But there are many people who are homeless who would be if housing costs were somewhat cheaper because the housing supply was bigger; and there are many people who don't get enough medical attention because the time of doctors and nurses is scarce and therefore expensive - this is why there's so much interest in using AI for medical questions and examinations.

constantius 4mo ago
People do starve today, in every developed country. It's rare to die of starvation, but poverty still means skipping meals. Housing supply is scarce because of regulatory capture: homeowners and real estate companies have the strongest incentives and massive resources to keep it that way. Medical attention is scarce because of regulatory capture by those doing those jobs: the numerus clausus is still a thing, and not in any way defensible. The parent is right: scarcity today, especially in developed countries, is completely artificial, because it serves those who benefit from it.
einpoklum 4mo ago
> People don't actually starve today Indeed, people rarely die of starvation outright (although some do: https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/starvation-deaths-by-country https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/starvatio... ) but - starvation is very much a problem, and malnourishment and food insecurity are very serious problems in many countries. Here's a map: https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/malnutrition-rate-by-country https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/malnutrit... and while it is a specific example, I must mention the situation in *Gaza*, where 2.3 Million people (now 2.2 Million or so after Israel's mass killing) are being subjected to a regime which moves between severe malnourishment and starvation, and have been in this situation for over two years. (Before that, the siege subjected them to 'non-severe' malnourishment). The main culprits are Israel, Egypt and the US. The reason I had to mention that is that I live in Haifa and this one is partially my responsibility as an Israeli citizen.

constantius 4mo ago

People do starve today, in every developed country. It's rare to die of starvation, but poverty still means skipping meals. Housing supply is scarce because of regulatory capture: homeowners and real estate companies have the strongest incentives and massive resources to keep it that way. Medical attention is scarce because of regulatory capture by those doing those jobs: the numerus clausus is still a thing, and not in any way defensible. The parent is right: scarcity today, especially in developed countries, is completely artificial, because it serves those who benefit from it.

einpoklum 4mo ago

> People don't actually starve today Indeed, people rarely die of starvation outright (although some do: https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/starvation-deaths-by-country https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/starvatio... ) but - starvation is very much a problem, and malnourishment and food insecurity are very serious problems in many countries. Here's a map: https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/malnutrition-rate-by-country https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/malnutrit... and while it is a specific example, I must mention the situation in *Gaza*, where 2.3 Million people (now 2.2 Million or so after Israel's mass killing) are being subjected to a regime which moves between severe malnourishment and starvation, and have been in this situation for over two years. (Before that, the siege subjected them to 'non-severe' malnourishment). The main culprits are Israel, Egypt and the US. The reason I had to mention that is that I live in Haifa and this one is partially my responsibility as an Israeli citizen.