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f13.net General Forums => Serious Business => Topic started by: stray on December 25, 2006, 08:58:13 PM



Title: Global Income Comparisons
Post by: stray on December 25, 2006, 08:58:13 PM
Probably useless, but still interesting. Link (http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/News/StudyRevealsOverwhelmingWealthGap.aspx)

Quote
For the first time, personal wealth -- not income -- has been measured around the world. The findings may be surprising, for what makes people "wealthy" across the world spectrum is a relatively low bar.

The research indicates that assets of just $2,200 per adult place a household in the top half of the world's wealthiest. To be among the richest 10% of adults in the world, just $61,000 in assets is needed. If you have more than $500,000, you're part of the richest 1%, the United Nations study says. Indeed, 37 million people now belong in that category.

Sure, you can now be proud that you're rich. But take a moment to think about it, and you'll probably come to realize that the meaning behind these numbers is harrowing. For if it takes just a couple of thousand dollars to qualify as rich in this world, imagine what it means to be poor.

Half the world, nearly 3 billion people, live on less than $2 a day. The three richest people in the world –- Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates, investor Warren Buffett and Mexican telecom mogul Carlos Slim Helú -- have more money than the poorest 48 nations combined.



Title: Re: Global Income Comparisons
Post by: Yegolev on December 26, 2006, 07:28:43 AM
Mexican telecom mogul?

Also: money isn't everything.


Title: Re: Global Income Comparisons
Post by: Sky on December 26, 2006, 07:44:02 AM
It's long been a dream of mine to take a few grand and buy a mountain in some shithole country and build a big house.

I'd need a miltia, though, and I don't hang out with those types anymore. Also, I think Bush fucked over any chance of living outside the US in a poor nation without being shot.


Title: Re: Global Income Comparisons
Post by: stray on December 26, 2006, 08:32:03 AM
Also: money isn't everything.

Sure makes me feel bad that the money I spend on one video game can feed 25 third world people for a day or two though.


Title: Re: Global Income Comparisons
Post by: Yegolev on December 26, 2006, 09:51:49 AM
I feel bad about that too, but it's more of a food-supply issue than a money problem.  I don't want to turn political here, but the problem in many of those places isn't that the families are poor so much as there should be some better government/infrastructure.  Yeah, that needs money in some cases.  Just saying.  I'm more of a give-a-goat person than a give-a-dollar person.


Title: Re: Global Income Comparisons
Post by: Samwise on December 26, 2006, 12:00:17 PM
If it makes you feel any better, the money you spend on a video game isn't just going down a hole -- some portion of that money is going to help put food on some poor game developer's table. 

Of course, a larger portion is no doubt being put toward a solid gold toilet in the EA executive washroom.


Title: Re: Global Income Comparisons
Post by: Ironwood on December 26, 2006, 12:04:11 PM
I give what I can, but I earned my crust, bitches, and Elena needs a pony.


Title: Re: Global Income Comparisons
Post by: sinij on December 26, 2006, 07:55:59 PM
Sure makes me feel bad that the money I spend on one video game can feed 25 third world people for a day or two though.

Why do you think feeding third world people is a good thing? World surely does not need more people, there are too many already.


Title: Re: Global Income Comparisons
Post by: stray on December 26, 2006, 08:01:28 PM
Oh noes! Why do you shock me so?

(http://www.smeddum.net/images/scream.jpg)


Title: Re: Global Income Comparisons
Post by: Samwise on December 27, 2006, 01:04:34 AM
Why do you think feeding third world people is a good thing?

Your avatar (and the particular episode of BS it came from) make this funny.   :-D