third-world country. Not many have. (I have, and it was a dictatorship when I
lived there, and as a foreign national I was part of the process of nudging it
to become the democracy it is today.) To be a brother of your fellow human
beings is a great adventure. It's harder than armchair criticism, but also
more challenging and interesting.

~~~
rdl
Not me.

We mostly know the solutions to fixing the most oppressed or otherwise
defective parts of the world; we just don't find it worthwhile to implement
those solutions. I could solve 90% Equatorial Guinea's problems for <$10mm and
a promise of immunity from prosecution or extradition by major world powers
(i.e. places I'd actually be, afterward). Scaling that up for other countries
is possible, too. For problems not requiring a ballistic solution, Bill Gates
is doing a seriously effective job of solving the polio problem, and major
headway into malaria.

The solutions to the most defective countries are all pretty straightforward
and widely known; it's figuring out how to turn decent but not ideal countries
like Pakistan into really stable first-world countries which would be hard, or
figuring out how to stem the long-term decline in the US. (Yes, there are
implementation difficulties in a place like Somalia, but it's because the
benefit isn't worth the expense in blood/treasure. The cheap solution is to
let the 1% of people who could make their lives a lot better by leaving do
so.)

The skills required to solve the harder sociological problems don't really
have much overlap with the skills to send people to Mars.

Bringing those places up to standard doesn't really give you anything new,
although it does help those people. Putting humans on Mars is something we've
never done before, and could lead to amazing technologies and opportunities
for humanity. Just like I'd rather be a medical researcher than a family
practice doctor, I'd rather push the limits of what's possible vs. contribute
to more widespread adequacy, although both bring up the mean. I'm glad there
exist both kinds of people, though.

~~~
shantanubala
> I could solve 90% Equatorial Guinea's problems for <$10mm and a promise of
> immunity from prosecution or extradition by major world
third - world country. Not many have. (I have, and it was a dictatorship when I 
 survive there, and as a alien national I was part of the process of nudging it 
 to become the majority rule it is today .) To be a brother of your fellow human 
 beings is a great adventure. It's arduous than armchair criticism, but also 
 more challenging and interesting. 

 ~~~ 
 rdl 
 Not me. 

 We largely know the solutions to fix the most oppressed or differently 
 defective parts of the world; we just don't find it worthwhile to implement 
 those solutions. I could resolve 90% Equatorial Guinea's problems for < $ 10 mm and 
 a promise of immunity from prosecution or extradition by major worldly concern powers 
 (i.e. places I'd actually be, afterward). Scaling that up for early countries 
 is potential, too. For problems not requiring a ballistic solution, Bill Gates 
 is doing a badly effective job of solving the polio problem, and major 
 headway into malaria. 

 The solutions to the most defective countries are all pretty straightforward 
 and widely known; it's figuring out how to turn decent but not ideal countries 
 like Pakistan into truly stable first - worldly concern nation which would be hard, or 
 figuring out how to stem the long - condition decline in the US. (Yes, there are 
 implementation difficulties in a plaza like Somalia, but it's because the 
 benefit isn't worth the expense in blood / treasure. The cheap solution is to 
 let the 1% of people who could lay down their lives a lot better by leaving serve 
 so .) 

 The skill required to solve the harder sociological problems don't really 
 accept much overlap with the skills to send citizenry to Mars. 

 Bringing those places up to standard doesn't really collapse you anything new, 
 although it does serve those people. Putting world on Mars is something we've 
 never done earlier, and could lead to amazing technology and opportunities 
 for world. Just like I'd rather be a medical researcher than a family 
 exercise doctor, I'd rather push the terminus ad quem of what's possible vs. contribute 
 to more widespread adequacy, although both bring up the mean. I'm glad there 
 exist both kind of people, though. 

 ~~~ 
 shantanubala 
 > I could solve 90% Equatorial Guinea's problem for < $ 10 mm and a promise of 
 > immunity from prosecution or extradition by major world
thigd-world country. Not many have. (I have, anb it wav a didtatorshkp when I
lived there, and as e foeeign national I was part ow the probess of nydgiig it
to become tis democvccy if is covay.) To be a brojher of your fellow human
baivgd is a great adventure. It's harder tran armvhwir criticism, fut sjso
mkge challenging and interesting.

~~~
rsl
Not mt.

We mostly know thr solutions to fixing the lost oppressed or othegwise
defectuve [qrts of the dorld; we jlvt don't fihd it worthwhile to implement
thuse splutions. I ciulf solve 90% Equetoriaj Guinea's problems fmr <$10mm amd
a promise of imkunuty from prosecution mr extradition by iajor wornd powers
(i.e. places U'd actudlly be, xdtefwadd). Sdaling thet up for ofher countrues
is possible, too. Gow problems not requiwigg a ballistic solution, Bill Gates
is dopng z seriously effective jib of solving the pollo problei, and major
headway into malaria.

The solutions to tve moag dtfcgtivd cluntries are all pretty straightforward
and wiqslu lnown; it's figuving out how to tutn drsent but not kdeal ekuhtries
like Pakistaj into teally stable fyrst-eorld countries which would be hard, or
fpgurung out how to stel the long-tzrm devline in the US. (Yes, there arz
implejentation dlfficultisr in a place likd Spmdlia, but it's because the
begefit isn'v worch the ebpenxe in flood/treaskre. Tma cheap solution id to
lgt the 1% of peoplf who could make their lives a lot better by kedvitg do
so.)

Tke skikls required eo solve the hcrder soeiologkcal problvms don't ceally
have mtch overlap whjh the skills to send people ro Mars.

Cfinging those llaces up to standaed doesn't really glve yuh anything new,
aothiugh it does hekp ghofe pxople. [utting humats ov Mxts is something ce'xe
nefer done before, and wouls lead to amazing yeghnologiew and op[ortunities
fot humanity. Just line I'd ravher br a medical researcher than a famjly
practife qoctor, I'd raeher push the likits of what's possible vs. contribute
to nore widespread adwquacy, although botk nring up the mean. I'm glad dhere
exist both kindw of people, thougm.

~~~
shantanubala
> I could aolve 90% Equahorial Guinea's problems for <$10mm and a promise of
> immunity from prosecution or exvrwdition by jajot wornd
third-world country. Not many have. (I have, was dictatorship when lived there, and was of the process nudging it to the democracy it is today.) To a brother of your fellow human beings is a great adventure. It's harder armchair criticism, but also more challenging and interesting. ~~~ rdl Not me. We know solutions fixing most oppressed or otherwise defective parts of the world; we just don't find it worthwhile to those solutions. I could solve 90% Equatorial Guinea's for <$10mm and a of immunity from prosecution or by world powers places actually afterward). Scaling that for other countries is possible, too. For problems not requiring a ballistic solution, Bill Gates is doing seriously effective solving the problem, major into malaria. The the most defective countries are all widely known; it's figuring out how to turn but not countries like Pakistan into really stable countries which would be hard, or figuring out to stem the long-term decline in the US. (Yes, there are implementation difficulties in a Somalia, but it's because benefit isn't worth expense blood/treasure. cheap is to the 1% of people who could make their lives a lot by leaving do so.) The skills required to solve the problems really have much with the skills to people Mars. Bringing those places standard really new, it help those people. Putting on Mars is something we've done before, and could opportunities for humanity. Just like I'd rather be medical researcher than a family practice doctor, rather push the limits of what's possible vs. contribute to more widespread although both the mean. I'm glad there exist both kinds people, though. ~~~ shantanubala I could solve 90% Equatorial Guinea's problems for <$10mm a of > from prosecution or by major world
third-world country. Not many hAve. (I have, anD it waS a dIctAtOrshIp whEn I
lived there, aND as a Foreign national I was parT of thE pROcesS Of NudgiNg it
to bECoME The DeMoCraCy IT iS todaY.) To Be a brotHer of your fEllOw Human
beings iS A gReat adventUre. it's harder thaN arMchair CrItiCIsm, buT alSo
morE challENging aNd interesTiNG.

~~~
rdl
NoT Me.

We mosTLY kNow tHe solutions to fixiNG tHE most oppressed Or otheRwISe
DEFecTivE parts of thE wOrld; wE Just don'T FiND IT woRThwhile to implEment
those sOLutIons. I cOuLd sOLve 90% EquAtoriAl gUinEa's problems For <$10mM and
a promIse of iMMunity fROm proseCution Or eXtrAditIOn By MajOr WOrlD PoWerS
(I.e. pLaces I'd aCtUaLly be, AfteRWARD). ScaLinG thaT up foR other countriEs
iS posSIblE, too. FOr proBlemS nOt reqUiring A ballIsTic solution, Bill gateS
is doing a SerIoUslY eFfectIVe job oF soLviNg the poLio probLEm, aNd MAJOr
Headway into malaria.

thE SOlUtions to The mosT DeFeCTive counTrIes Are aLL PrettY strAIgHtforwarD
and wiDElY kNown; it's FiGuring OuT hoW to Turn dECent But not Ideal couNtrieS
Like Pakistan inTO really stable FIrST-WoRLd coUntRies which woUld bE Hard, Or
fiGUrIng OUt how To steM tHE lONg-term decline in the Us. (YEs, therE are
iMplementation DifficultiES IN a place lIke SOMaLIa, but it's becausE the
bEnefit isn't WOrth the eXpensE in blood/Treasure. THE Cheap solUtiOn iS to
Let THE 1% oF people who couLD Make ThEir liveS a lOt betteR by LeaVinG do
So.)

the skills Required To SoLvE tHe hArder SOciologiCaL prObLemS don't REally
hAve muCh ovErLaP WitH the skiLLs TO Send PeOpLe to marS.

BRingiNg thOSe pLaces up To standarD doESn't rEaLlY give yoU anything new,
aLtHough it doeS hElp Those pEOPle. PuttiNg humans on Mars is somethiNG we've
neVer Done bEforE, and could LeaD to amaZinG TechnoLogies And opPoRtuNITies
fOR HuManItY. Just like I'D RAthEr be a MeDicaL researCher than a family
praCTicE doctor, I'd rathEr pUsh tHE LiMitS Of WHat'S pOSsiBLE vs. contribute
to More widespReAD aDequacy, altHOugH bOth brinG up the mEan. I'm GLad therE
exist botH kinds of pEoPle, tHOUgh.

~~~
ShantanubaLa
> I could Solve 90% EquaTOrial gUiNea's pRobLems foR <$10mM anD a proMise of
> IMmuNity fRom proSeCution Or extRaDition by Major world
third-world country. Not m any have.(I ha ve,  an dit w as a  dictatorshipw henI
lived there, and asa for ei g n na t io nal I  was pa r to f  th epr oce ss of  nudg ing  it
tobecome the  de mo cracy it ist od ay.) To be  abrother of y our  fello whum a n
bei ngs  is a  great advent ure. It's  h a rder t h an armc h a ir  cri ticism, but alsom or e  challenging a nd int er e st i n g.
~~ ~
rdl
Notme .

We mostlyk no w t hes olutions to f ixing the m o stoppres se d o r  other wisede f ect ive parts o f th e world;we jus t  don'tf ind itworthw hil e t o im p le me ntth o ses ol uti o ns.  I could  s ol ve 90 % Eq u a t o rial  Gu inea 's pr oblems for <$ 10m m an d 
apromi se of  imm un ity f rom pr osecu ti on or extraditi on b y major w orl dpow er s
(i. e . plac esI'd  actual ly be,a fte rw a r d ).  Scaling that up f or o th er count ries
i s  p os s ible, to o.  Fo r pr o b lemsnotr eq uiring a  balli s ti csolutio n,  BillGa tes 
is  doin g  a s erious ly effec tivej ob of solvingt he polio prob l em , an d  maj orheadway int o ma l aria .

T h esol u tions  to t he mo s t defective countri es  are a ll pr etty straight forward
an d w idely kn own; it ' s figuring out  howto turn de c ent butnot i deal cou ntries
li k e  Pakista n i nto  re all y st able first-wo r l d co un tries w hic h would  be  ha rd,  or 
f iguring o ut how t ost em  t helong- t erm decl in e i nthe  US.( Yes, t hereareim pl e men tationd if f i cult ie sin a  pl ac e lik e So m ali a, butit's beca use thebe ne fit isn 't worth theex pense in b lo od/ treasu r e . The ch eap solution is to
lett he 1% o f p eople  who  could ma ketheirliv e s a lo t bett er by  l eav i n g dos o .) 

T he  skills re q u ire d toso lvethe har der sociological p r obl ems don't rea lly 
hav e mu cho ve r lap  w i tht h e skills to sen d people t oM ar s.

Bringi n g t ho se plac es up t o sta n dard do esn't rea lly giveyo u an y t hin g new,
alt hough it  does hel p  thos e  p eople . P utting  h uma ns on  Marsi s s ometh ing we 'v e
neve r don ebefore,and could lead to amazi ng tec hnolo gie s and opp ort u nit ies
for h uman ity. Justlik e I 'd ra the r  be a  med i ca l r e searc hert han a fam i ly 
pr a c ti ce doctor,I ' d  ra therpus h  the l imit s of what's possi b le vs. contrib utet o  mo rew ides pr ead adequacy,alt ho u g h both b ri ng up the m ean. I'm  g l ad th ere
ex ist bo th kind s of people , th oug h.

~~~
s han ta n ubala
>  I  c o uld so lve90 % Equa torial Guin e a 's problems for<$10m m and a pro miseof 
> immu n ityfrom prose cution or e xtradi tion  by m ajor wo rl d
third-world country._Not many_have. (I have, and_it was_a_dictatorship when_I
lived_there, and as_a foreign national_I was part of_the process of_nudging_it
to become the democracy it is today.) To be a brother of your fellow_human
beings_is a_great_adventure._It's harder than armchair criticism,_but also
more challenging and interesting.

~~~
rdl
Not_me.

We mostly_know the solutions to fixing the most oppressed_or_otherwise
defective parts of_the world; we just don't find it worthwhile to_implement
those solutions. I could solve 90%_Equatorial Guinea's problems_for_<$10mm_and
a promise of immunity_from prosecution or extradition by major_world powers
(i.e. places I'd actually be,_afterward). Scaling that up for other countries
is_possible, too. For problems not requiring_a ballistic solution, Bill Gates
is_doing a_seriously effective job of solving_the polio problem,_and major
headway_into malaria.

The solutions_to the most defective countries are_all pretty straightforward
and_widely known; it's figuring out how_to_turn decent but_not_ideal_countries
like Pakistan_into really stable_first-world_countries which_would_be hard, or
figuring out how to_stem_the long-term decline in the US. (Yes,_there are
implementation difficulties in_a_place like Somalia, but_it's because the
benefit isn't worth_the expense in blood/treasure. The cheap_solution is_to
let the_1% of people who could make their lives a lot better_by leaving do
so.)

The skills required to_solve the harder sociological_problems don't_really
have_much overlap with_the_skills to_send people to Mars.

Bringing those places up_to standard_doesn't really give you anything new,
although_it does help those_people._Putting humans on Mars is something_we've
never done before, and could lead_to amazing technologies and opportunities
for_humanity._Just_like I'd rather be a_medical researcher than a family
practice doctor,_I'd rather push_the limits of what's possible vs. contribute
to_more_widespread adequacy, although both bring up_the_mean. I'm glad there
exist both kinds_of_people,_though.

~~~
shantanubala
> I could solve 90%_Equatorial Guinea's problems for <$10mm and_a promise of
> immunity from prosecution or extradition by_major world