SI
SI
discoversearch

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor.  We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community.  If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.
Politics : View from the Center and Left
 Public ReplyPrvt ReplyMark as Last ReadFilePrevious 10Next 10PreviousNext  
To: TimF who wrote (93415)11/3/2008 2:56:45 PM
From: thames_sider  Read Replies (1) of 541703
 
I think you're completely missing my point. I'm not disputing that people in the US earn and spend more. I'm disputing that this necessarily gives them a higher standard of living.

As I said:
PPP is also not sufficient, unless it takes into account what the money is spent on - unless you assume that all spending is discretionary and the only criteria is cost, without taking into account preference or need. ... Higher consumption does not automatically imply higher standard: and these days nowhere in the west is short of any such goods at reasonable prices, for those that want them.

If you equate "standard of living" purely with "quantity of consumer goods" then I suspect few places if any compare with the US. However, I am trying to make clear to you that this is not necessarily the only criteria people use: you're trying to win the wrong race.
How about evaluating personal worth, personal security, feeling of community and belonging? How about the tenor of daily life? How much is the feeling of living in a civilised, polite, safe country worth?

These things don't come with monetary values, as such, although some countries spend plenty to (in effect) rise on these scales. Look at it as analogous to Maslow's Hierarchy, if you will - you're all about levels 1-2, but the "standard of living" metric surely needs to encompass all five.
Report TOU ViolationShare This Post
 Public ReplyPrvt ReplyMark as Last ReadFilePrevious 10Next 10PreviousNext  

HomeMailHotSubjectMarksPeopleMarksKeepersSettings
Terms Of UseContact UsCopyright/IP PolicyPrivacy PolicyAbout UsFAQAdvertise on SI
© 2025 Knight Sac Media.  Data provided by Twelve Data, Alpha Vantage, and CityFALCON News