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Poverty is a misleading word. You can be poor with a 20K$/y salary in one place and filthy rich in another. It's not because some people live more simple lives

Poverty is a misleading word. You can be poor with a 20K$/y salary in one place and filthy rich in another. It's not because some people live more simple lives that they are poor. A poor person is a person who cannot meet its basic needs. You cannot help the mentally ill by giving them money either. Poverty exists because of diversity as well, trying to make someone else think like you is a form of indoctrination. Some people prefer technology other prefer nature, some prefer money other prefer fresh air, clean water and lots of time with close friends and family. It's hard to label some people as poor when they live happier and healthier lives than people with big bank accounts, big houses and fancy cars.

stevenameyer 14y ago
This is a good point that a lot of people sometimes forget. We should help countries that want our help, but at the same time it is not our job to try and make every country like us. Some countries function differently. And if the people are ok with it that way, then maybe that is ok for them. This topic is one of internal conflict for me at times because I believe that Theocratic countries that are underdeveloped right now will never be able to develop fully in the western sense of the word. But maybe they don't need to, maybe they like the way things are. I don't know, sorry about rambling for a bit there.
- terrykohla 14y ago
  There is a whole moral debate around the words "good" and "bad"; and I think that words like "developed" and "growth" have to be weighed in that sense. "Developed" might mean better quality of life, but it could also mean pollution,noise, stress, depression and dehumanization. To whoever wants to change the world I recommend to start by changing their own back yard. There are enough challenges in developed countries as it is, "underdeveloped" countries are facing their own challenges. Travel the world and you'll find problems and solutions, listen to the media and you'll be a blind man serving someone else's interest.
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stevenameyer 14y ago

This is a good point that a lot of people sometimes forget. We should help countries that want our help, but at the same time it is not our job to try and make every country like us. Some countries function differently. And if the people are ok with it that way, then maybe that is ok for them. This topic is one of internal conflict for me at times because I believe that Theocratic countries that are underdeveloped right now will never be able to develop fully in the western sense of the word. But maybe they don't need to, maybe they like the way things are. I don't know, sorry about rambling for a bit there.

terrykohla 14y ago
There is a whole moral debate around the words "good" and "bad"; and I think that words like "developed" and "growth" have to be weighed in that sense. "Developed" might mean better quality of life, but it could also mean pollution,noise, stress, depression and dehumanization. To whoever wants to change the world I recommend to start by changing their own back yard. There are enough challenges in developed countries as it is, "underdeveloped" countries are facing their own challenges. Travel the world and you'll find problems and solutions, listen to the media and you'll be a blind man serving someone else's interest.
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