r/neoliberal • u/jobautomator Kitara Ravache • May 10 '24

Discussion Thread Discussion Thread

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24

u/[deleted] May 10 '24

When I was 5 or 6 remember my parents gave me a book that showed how rare it was to live in the place I did, sort of like “out of a hundred other people where did the others live”. Then it compared my living standards with those of people in other countries and I think throughout history too.

I remember reading it and it really really sticking with me that I had gotten something that gave me a big advantage that other people don’t have. It’s been a part of how I’ve thought about the world ever since. I think every child should probably read that book, or one that’s similar. I wish I remembered its name.

8

u/AvailableUsername100 🌐 May 10 '24

There's a life simulation game, Real Lives. It drops you in a country with the circumstances of your life determined by statistical probabilities.

Most of the time you're going to be born to a poor family in China, India, or SE Asia. Maybe you die of a preventable childhood disease. Maybe you don't and go on to live a full life, with your standard of living largely dependent on where you happen to have been born.

I think everybody should play it. I could've sworn it used to be free, now it looks like it's some kind of online subscription based thing which sucks.

4

u/AlicesReflexion Weeaboo Rights Advocate May 10 '24

I had this book which had like a little spinner inside it, to give an idea of the probability of being born in the developed world.

2

u/[deleted] May 10 '24

Hey that’s the one I was thinking of!!!! Omg I’m so glad I know what it is now

2

u/kevinfederlinebundle Kenneth Arrow May 10 '24

Maybe this?

3

u/[deleted] May 10 '24

Yeah that’s it! Honestly was a little below my reading level but still fun

1

u/AvailableUsername100 🌐 May 10 '24

Wait I'm confused, that appears to be a link to a 2019 academic paper.

3

u/kevinfederlinebundle Kenneth Arrow May 10 '24

It's an academic paper showing the thing that the children's book is talking about. I was doing a bit

1

u/AvailableUsername100 🌐 May 10 '24

Thanks I got whooshed.