The 6 killer apps of prosperity TED Talk

TED Talk ^ | 2011 | Niall Ferguson

[tbw2]

We know that most of that wealth was made after the year 1800. And we know that most of it is currently owned by people we might call Westerners: Europeans, North Americans, Australasians. 19 percent of the world's population today, Westerners own two-thirds of its wealth.

Economic historians call this "The Great Divergence." And this slide here is the best simplification of the Great Divergence story I can offer you. It's basically two ratios of per capita GDP, per capita gross domestic product, so average income. One, the red line, is the ratio of British to Indian per capita income. And the blue line is the ratio of American to Chinese. And this chart goes back to 1500. And you can see here that there's an exponential Great Divergence. They start off pretty close together. In fact, in 1500, the average Chinese was richer than the average North American. When you get to the 1970s, which is where this chart ends, the average Briton is more than 10 times richer than the average Indian. And that's allowing for differences in the cost of living. It's based on purchasing power parity. The average American is nearly 20 times richer than the average Chinese by the 1970s.

Why? Because of the six KILLER APPS of prosperity?

[tbw2]

The 6 killer apps of prosperity TED Talk
https://www.ted.com/talks/niall_ferguson_the_6_killer_apps_of_prosperity

[rbg81]

I am guessing one “Killer App” is: The Rule of Law.

[Repeal The 17th]

There are 6 killer apps?
So what are they?

[Osage Orange]

I’m half sure this post and many posts are Tabloid BS....now.

[Osage Orange]

I'm about done with FR.....too much BS.

Been here a long time...donated money

But about done with the BS...

[Paladin2]

BiXiden and his Marxist Socialist fellow travelers are likely working to defeat all six.

[T-Bird45]

I am guessing one “Killer App” is: The Rule of Law.

From the transcript of the presentation: "I want to explain to you that there were six killer apps that set the West apart from the rest. And they're kind of like the apps on your phone, in the sense that they look quite simple. They're just icons; you click on them. But behind the icon, there's complex code. It's the same with institutions. There are six which I think explain the Great Divergence. One, competition. Two, the scientific revolution. Three, property rights. Four, modern medicine. Five, the consumer society. And six, the work ethic."

Since property rights are ensured by the Rule of Law, I'd say your guess is on the mark.

[Chode]

the genesis was the first ones smart enough to move the HELL out of africa... the rest is simply the raising of their IQ

[E. Pluribus Unum]

The foundation of civilization is the luxury of being able to trust that your neighbor is not going to rob you blind or destroy all your stuff while you are not looking.

In other words, the Judeo-Christian ethic: Thou shalt not steal. Thou shalt not lie. Thou shalt not covet. Thou shalt not murder...

Its destruction will mark the end of civilization.

[Paladin2]

“
What are the Killer Apps?
What set the West apart from the rest of the world? These six functional complexes, or “killer applications” led the West’s rise to global dominance.

Competition
Competition

European decentralization fostered the growth of political and economic competition, birthing the nation-state and the rise of capitalism.
Timeline: China and the West 1368-1842
Discussion: A Culture without Competition
Science
Science

While eastern Muslim powers slowed scientific progress in their own region, the Christian West advanced militarily and academically.
Timeline: The West and The Ottoman Empire 1515-1923
Discussion: Science and Religion
Property
Property

Widespread land ownership and its ties to the democratic process gave the United States a more productive, stable footing than its neighbors to the south.
Discussion: The Importance of Land Ownership
Map: American Expansion – U.S.A. and Gran Colombia
Modern Medicine
Modern Medicine

Developed and shared throughout colonial outposts in Africa and elsewhere, Western medicine has the power to double life expectancy.
Book Excerpt: Médecins sans Frontières
Discussion: Life without Modern Medicine
Consumerism
Consumerism

The 20th century witnessed a new model of civilization centered around consumption, as American goods and fashion carried the message of Western freedom.
Book Excerpt: Turning Western
Discussion: Western Clothing
Work Ethic

Protestantism in America stressed hard work, saving, and literacy. Yet today while Americans save less and fewer Europeans attend church, there are around 40 million or more Protestants in China.”

[Paladin2]

Do you know how much a new wheelbarrow tire costs?

Foot soles replace skin/callouses for “free”.

[Chode]

did this guy forget china was under the communist boot and not allowed to make any money in 1970???

[Repeal The 17th]

Thanks!

[cgbg]

The foundation of civilization is the luxury of being able to trust that your neighbor is not going to rob you blind or destroy all your stuff while you are not looking.

That has been the key to Africa remaining poor.

Folks have to hide any wealth they have for fear of theft or even being murdered by local residents or the government.

Therefore capital accumulation is a dangerous enterprise.

[BipolarBob]

I'm about done with FR.....too much BS.

Didja' hear the one about 45,000 people died in five days from Covid vaccine and the government is being sued?

[Osage Orange]

No Bi P Bob...I didn't read that BS either.....

I'm about done here.........Long time here...but too much BS.

[nothingnew]

Thou shalt not murder

Thanks for using the correct words.

FMCDH(BITS)

[Paladin2]

No problemo

I’m not George but I was curious.

Your tax $$$ @ work:

https://www.pbs.org/wnet/civilization-west-and-rest/killer-apps/

[Chode]

do’h... what WAS i thinking???