Capitalism's Miracles, Ignorance as Sickness, Albert Camus
Three Point Thursday
Hola amigo,
This week’s edition includes some shocking statistics about poverty, my thoughts on ignorance, and a quote from the philosopher Albert Camus.
The reduction of extreme poverty in recent history is incredible.
In 1820, approximately 75% of the global population lived in extreme poverty, defined as surviving on less than what is now equivalent to $2.15 per day (source). By contrast, today only 8.5% of the global population lives in extreme poverty. Two centuries of economic growth have lifted most people out of dreadful living conditions.
In much ignorance is much pain.
I saw someone in the grocery store recently wearing a shirt that said, “pain is weakness leaving the body.” It’s a bit corny, but I’m glad I saw it because it made me think of a relatively similar idea that is quite useful. We tend to think of knowledge as something we gain through study and experience, and that’s true enough. But I’ve realized that I’m most inspired to learn when, instead, I’m more focused on getting rid of my ignorance, almost in a state of concern. More often than not, negativity is the most motivating force. Think of it in the context of sports. What has made you play harder and better, when your mom tells you good luck, or when someone on the other team is talking trash? Ignorance is the annoying opponent running their mouth. Go take care of them.
Albert Camus, The Myth of Sisyphus.
“All great deeds and all great thoughts have a ridiculous beginning.”
Keep shooting,
Jeff