RE: Salinger's world
Sean Draine (seandr@Exchange.Microsoft.com)
Wed, 11 Aug 1999 17:58:44 -0700
Sam:
"Today, the world's resources could be used to feed the hungry and aid the
sick, but instead it's used largely for luxury consumption. I happen to
think this is a rotten state of affairs."
Everyone wants to end world hunger. The question of how is where the
controversy lies. You're post implies a solution: we trade in our BMWs for
Saturns and send the proceeds off (as food?) to the third world. This is at
best a short-sighted plan.
Rather than writing a long and boring dissertation on contemporary
economics, I'll simply put forward a short and boring alternative plan.
Any effective solution must involve building self-sustaining economies in
the afflicted areas. For example, we might sell our BMWs, start a venture
capital fund, and invest in a new luxury car company based in Somalia (and
owned in part by Somalians). If the company takes off, we can all buy
several Somalian luxury cars with the proceeds from our investment, which
generates even more wealth for us and the Somalians.
-Sean