Global Income Comparisons

[stray]

Probably useless, but still interesting. Link

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.

[Yegolev]

Mexican telecom mogul?

Also: money isn't everything.

[Sky]

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.

[stray]

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.

[Yegolev]

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.

[Samwise]

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.

[Ironwood]

I give what I can, but I earned my crust, bitches, and Elena needs a pony.

[sinij]

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.

[stray]

Oh noes! Why do you shock me so?

[Samwise]

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