That's a matter of perspective. Increased life expectancy puts a further drain on resources, thus cancelling many benefits that longevity might contribute. Besides what does increased life expectancy (which is largely a consequence of medical science) have to do with economic distribution?
And not everyone considers owning a cel phone to be "an increased standard of living". Besides do you really think China and India can keep going like that before the economic scales tip?
Increase in lifespan is not as much of a problem as many think. As lifespans increase, women tend to have children later in life. We all know populations in the west are dropping off because women are having less children in general, and as the third world becomes more advanced their populations will do so as well. If you look at demographic projections by 2050 and beyond, the world population is on target to stall out. IMO, world overpopulation will not be a problem in the 22nd century.
Access to medical science is a DIRECT relationship to economic distribution!! People and nations with money and resources have access to better medical care! If good medical care and modern technologies such as cars and phones and TVs are NOT part of an increased standard of living, then what DO you consider it to be?
I'm guessing that if you offer a little street kid in India all those things, he'd consider that a drastic increase in his living conditions.
Ah yes, the "If you don't like it, lump it!" response, cousin to the "I got mine, Jack" principle. Sure you don't want to throw in "I'm rubber and you're glue" while you're at it?
Maybe you missed the part where I said I had nothing against making money but I should also point out that those "fruits" you mention are largely imported. Think you'll still be enjoying them so readily if the Chinese suddenly decide they want more than $10 a week to make 'em?
No I'm not saying "love it or leave it" My point is to highlight what I consider to be hypocrisy coming from a lot of people who rail endlessly about the America and the Western lifestyle in general, yet continue to live there and enjoy all that it provides. Like I said in my first response, it NOT an either us or them situation since the world standards of living have raised throughout the 20th century. China in particular is dramatic proof of that.
The world is not a perfect place, and has always had, and always will have, massive inequity and misfortune built into it. That doe suck, but I'm not about to spend my life pronouncing affectations of guilt for being lucky enough to be born in the West.
The canned "Well I'd rather be part of the solution" response doesn't hold much weight with me because its easy to use that as an excuse for enjoying the cushy perks and security that the Western lifestyle provides while at the same time doing every little to actually change the system.
The irony here is that unlike the majority of activists and American protestors and such, Christians (who everyone seems to love to hate) are one of the few groups that ACTUALLY does something to make the world a better place. Most of the Christians I know tithe 10 percent of their income to the church which takes that money and runs soup kitchens etc. My wife went to Mexico and built houses for the poor while she was in High School (twice). That's more than the majority of dopey teenager protesters will ever do to rectify all the injustice of the West.
So if America is truly so exploitative of the world, then does buying "green detergent" at Trader Joes and a Prius and then patting yourself on the back really make up for all that? Giving away one's possessions and moving to India would TRULY be putting one's money where their mouth is.. worked for Mother Theresa. But alas I didn't see people exactly flocking to do that when Bush got reelected. So perhaps life and opportunities here in America and the West aren't THAT bad after all.
Don't get me wrong - I'm not promoting or justifying things like the Iraq War or government corruption. I'm just saying that I try to see it in the bigger context and appreciate the good fortunes and opportunities that I have living here. I am critical of what America does to some degree as we all should be, but even with all the problems I still would prefer to live here over any other country on Earth, and people who seem to attack it endlessly without ever acknowledging its virtues are hypocrites in my eyes.
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