Ignorance is not the problem
When we (and by we, I mean those of us in the developed first world) look at people in the developing world, we are often struck by the level of hardship endured by these people. So, being good citizens, we organize and deliver various forms of aid. Unfortunately, these are often tied up in rather arrogant attitudes on our part. Sometimes, I get the impression we believe that without our aid and assistance those poor people would be sitting in the dust trying to eat rocks - therefore, obviously, they need our knowledge to learn how to dig wells, how to plant crops and raise animals and, of course, how to run an effective government and judiciary.
We tend to forget that these people have been living there for hundreds, if not thousands, of years and have managed to survive thus far. While some of their woes may be due to antiquated or inadequate knowledge, the vast majority of their ills have nothing to do with ignorance.
Image nabbed from here.
Comments
but you're right also regarding survival. i remembered watching in national geographic about the eruption of mt. pinatubo. there are fewer casualties than expected because of the tribes who left the place coz they can feel something wrong and told themselves that their god is mad at them and they should leave the place. they did not believe what the scientists said, it's their instinct that they followed
ulysses: when I was younger, I believed it came from suboptimal choices. I am no longer sure I believe that. Human nature seems far too ingrained to be just the result of choice and I find myself too different to be simply the consequence of my choices.
There's something beautiful about life in that the things that are really important are in reach of most people, regardless of how much money they have. Marketing's job is to convince us that that's not true, and it requires a constant barrage to maintain that belief in people, much like how Christianity, for example, requires frequent prayer and church on Sunday... so that you don't get waylaid.
Anyway, we have a wonderful ability to adapt. Even the most privileged among us would quite easily adapt, after some initial adjustment, to almost any circumstance. And, if we don't, then we die. And that's not bad, either :)