They never go away. 2000 years ago, Jesus said 'the poor are always with us.' At least 1/3 of the world's population is still desperately poor.

On the other hand, an increasing proportion of the world's population is doing well. About 1/4 of the world's population - maybe as many as 2 billion people - are rich and near-rich.

If there is any lesson to be drawn from modern history, it is that poverty is an avoidable condition. Repeat: In our world, people do not have to be poor and deprived. Jesus was wrong.

Improved living conditions, higher income and increasing wealth are strongly correlated with increasing knowledge. There has been a knowledge revolution since the European Renaissance started, 500 years ago. Wherever that knowledge has been accepted and applied, things get better.

Economics

Many claims are made about wealth. Many prescriptions are offered on how to get it. The latest fad asserts ultra-capitalism makes people rich. The inconvenient fact is that none of these claims and prescriptions have much to do with bettering oneself and others.

It matters little which economic system is used to achieve results, provided it is based on science, not superstition. There is, in my opinion, no valid evidence that capitalism or the free market produces better results than other systems in the long run.

Leaders and Heroes

We are constantly told that our leaders have made life better for us. We are implored to vote for them in order to maintain the wonderful state of things they have created.

People are ofen pointed out who have done some heroic deed. We are exhorted to behave like them. By so doing, we are told, the world would, be a better place.

What is not reported, or only reported soto voce, is how many people were killed or maimed attempting heroic acts. Similarly, the fact the our leaders had very little to do with any improvements in our lives is ignored.

The trend is a greater force than any leader or hero. The trend is set by the people, who "vote with their feet."

Luck or Skill

Starting in childhood, winners invariably attribute their fortune to personal skill, valor, daring-do or any other attribute seeming praiseworthy. Losers invariably mumble something about luck of the draw, but rarely claim skill in losing.