Comments on: Dichotomies of Rio http://lavidaidealist.org/2009/09/17/dichotomies-of-rio/ Stories and Resources from Idealists in Latin America Tue, 07 Sep 2010 13:04:30 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Acoirac http://lavidaidealist.org/2009/09/17/dichotomies-of-rio/comment-page-1/#comment-114 Acoirac Tue, 22 Sep 2009 18:38:56 +0000 http://lavidaidealist.org/?p=1270#comment-114 Matt, I agree. The impoverished have fewer material possessions, but are generally happier. Why? The basic social economic structure of low income communities is the reliance upon a reciprocal resource exchange between neighbors. This exchange is meant to provide a minimum level of economic security to its members. For example babysitting can be exchanged for groceries…this sort of thing. This system of “welfare” encourages kin and close friends to live in close proximity to one another and maintain strong social bonds. Therefore, the type and frequency of resources being exchanged between neighbors and family can increase trust, welfare, well-being, and happiness, rather than, let’s say, a large-screen TV. However, in terms of financial planning, I’m not sure crime and violence play a huge role. I think the lack of financial saving comes from inexperience. Look at all the famous people who make it big, and then end up broke. It’s more knowing about what to do with your money when you have it, rather than living in the moment. Matt, I agree. The impoverished have fewer material possessions, but are generally happier. Why? The basic social economic structure of low income communities is the reliance upon a reciprocal resource exchange between neighbors. This exchange is meant to provide a minimum level of economic security to its members. For example babysitting can be exchanged for groceries…this sort of thing. This system of “welfare” encourages kin and close friends to live in close proximity to one another and maintain strong social bonds. Therefore, the type and frequency of resources being exchanged between neighbors and family can increase trust, welfare, well-being, and happiness, rather than, let’s say, a large-screen TV.

However, in terms of financial planning, I’m not sure crime and violence play a huge role. I think the lack of financial saving comes from inexperience. Look at all the famous people who make it big, and then end up broke. It’s more knowing about what to do with your money when you have it, rather than living in the moment.

]]> By: Acoirac http://lavidaidealist.org/2009/09/17/dichotomies-of-rio/comment-page-1/#comment-113 Acoirac Tue, 22 Sep 2009 18:37:15 +0000 http://lavidaidealist.org/?p=1270#comment-113 Mom, certainly no one is equal. It’s just strange to me when foreigners in a foreign land have an advantage over the natives. No one here is worried that I might live in a neighborhood controlled by an opposing drug faction, or that I might be an undercover cop. Mom, certainly no one is equal. It’s just strange to me when foreigners in a foreign land have an advantage over the natives. No one here is worried that I might live in a neighborhood controlled by an opposing drug faction, or that I might be an undercover cop.

]]> By: mabogota http://lavidaidealist.org/2009/09/17/dichotomies-of-rio/comment-page-1/#comment-103 mabogota Fri, 18 Sep 2009 05:22:14 +0000 http://lavidaidealist.org/?p=1270#comment-103 In regards to the happiest cities in the world -- I think as terrible as living in and around poverty and crime can be, the silver lining lies in human morale. As you mentioned, psychological studies/surveys and general opinion, in cities like Rio and Bogotá, the people, many of which have nothing in terms of money/possessions, are much happier as a whole than the wealthy Americans. Reality is life is short and we are all going to leave at some point. Living in a city that has a past and/or present of violent crime and poverty forces you to live in the moment as opposed to anxiety about your savings for retirement in 40 years... In regards to the happiest cities in the world — I think as terrible as living in and around poverty and crime can be, the silver lining lies in human morale.

As you mentioned, psychological studies/surveys and general opinion, in cities like Rio and Bogotá, the people, many of which have nothing in terms of money/possessions, are much happier as a whole than the wealthy Americans.

Reality is life is short and we are all going to leave at some point.
Living in a city that has a past and/or present of violent crime and poverty forces you to live in the moment as opposed to anxiety about your savings for retirement in 40 years…

]]> By: Barbara Gutmann http://lavidaidealist.org/2009/09/17/dichotomies-of-rio/comment-page-1/#comment-102 Barbara Gutmann Thu, 17 Sep 2009 21:08:16 +0000 http://lavidaidealist.org/?p=1270#comment-102 Dichotomy is a human reality. It exists in many more places than just Rio. In Russia they tried to rid the dichotomy of society in 1917 by overthrowing the Czar and by starting Communism. That didn't work well either. People didn't want to be equal..It's human nature to want than one's neighbor. Dichotomy is a human reality. It exists in many more places than just Rio. In Russia they tried to rid the dichotomy of society in 1917 by overthrowing the Czar and by starting Communism. That didn’t work well either. People didn’t want to be equal..It’s human nature to want than one’s neighbor.

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