You have redefined “absolute poverty” to mean “absolute poverty on a scale revised to ignore the historic improvements”, i.e. relative poverty.
Advances in technology have certainly improved living standards across the board, but they have not done much for the next layer of human needs—things like social inclusion
The internet has done a great deal for that.
or safety against adverse events.
Which ones? Disease? Vast progress. Earthquakes and hurricanes? We make better buildings, better safety systems. Of course, we can also build taller buildings, and cities on flood plains, so the technology acts on both sides there.
focused interventions that could successfully improve social inclusion; fostering “organic” social institutions
Institutions that require focused interventions to foster them are the opposite of “organic”. Besides, “quasi-religious groups with a focus on socially-binding rituals and public services” already exist. Actual religions, for example, and groups such as Freemasons.
You have redefined “absolute poverty” to mean “absolute poverty on a scale revised to ignore the historic improvements”, i.e. relative poverty.
I’m not ‘redefining’ the scale absolute poverty is measured on, or ignoring the historic improvements in it. These improvements are quite real. They’re also less impressive than we might assume by just looking at material living standards, because social dynamics are relevant as well.
You have redefined “absolute poverty” to mean “absolute poverty on a scale revised to ignore the historic improvements”, i.e. relative poverty.
The internet has done a great deal for that.
Which ones? Disease? Vast progress. Earthquakes and hurricanes? We make better buildings, better safety systems. Of course, we can also build taller buildings, and cities on flood plains, so the technology acts on both sides there.
Institutions that require focused interventions to foster them are the opposite of “organic”. Besides, “quasi-religious groups with a focus on socially-binding rituals and public services” already exist. Actual religions, for example, and groups such as Freemasons.
I’m not ‘redefining’ the scale absolute poverty is measured on, or ignoring the historic improvements in it. These improvements are quite real. They’re also less impressive than we might assume by just looking at material living standards, because social dynamics are relevant as well.