Re: E-85

Sorry MTB, my statement meant that we in the US, Western Europe, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand are, as a whole, the richest people in the world. Compare any of these countries to any country in Africa, or SE Asia. The poverty line in the US is considered to be something like $25k/year. In most of the world, the incomes are well under $1000/yr, and under $100/yr in many places.

Unfortunately, "wealth" is measured by the academics in terms of money and income. "Necessities of life" are considered to include a car and a TV set. I would question whether in reality having a car, TV set, or material goods in general, or whether having a million dollars makes someone any happier or "rich" or "wealthy".

I personally do not have "the answers". I do know that a lot of things have been tried and not worked. I do know that a lot of "civilizations" have failed and collapsed over time, and that most of the world (rich nations and poor alike) are doing the same things that led to the collapse of past societies (and I see some of these being espoused in posts here). I think it is clear that a societal attitude change is needed, but I have no idea how to do this, or even in the end what the right attitude should be beyond taking care of what limited resources this Earth provides us and not wasting it.

So, don't go away. You have made some very good statements, MTB, along with some I disagree with. I wish I had your optimism that maybe the boomers will fix something and that maybe in your lifetime your generation will fix the rest. Ya gotta keep the faith that solutions are out there, and we all have to keep seeking them.