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Economic inequality cannot be explained by individual bad choices, study finds (phys.org)

submitted 1 year ago by Girlparts@kbin.social to c/news@kbin.social

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A global study led by a researcher at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health and published in the journal Scientific Reports finds that economic inequality on a social level cannot be explained by bad choices among the poor nor by good decisions among the rich. Poor decisions were the same across all income groups, including for people who have overcome poverty.

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[–] DarkGamer@kbin.social 19 points 1 year ago (2 children)

people have a really hard time believing that this exists since they can find anecdotal examples to the contrary

"I once met someone who rolled a 12 with 2 dice. Why did those other people not choose to roll better than a 7 on average? Must be because of bad decisions."

[–] dumples@kbin.social 9 points 1 year ago (2 children)

I once met someone who rolled a 12 with 2 dice. Why did those other people not choose to roll better than a 7 on average? Must be because of bad decisions.

This same person rolled a 12 twice. Everyone else is an idiot. Just roll out good

[–] chaogomu@kbin.social 10 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I knew a guy whose grandparents rolled three 12s in a row, now he keeps knocking the die off the table, but is allowed to do it again and again because of the good choices of his grandparents.

[–] admiralteal@kbin.social 8 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Meanwhile these people are rolling d20's while the average person is lucky to have a d4 and a d6

[–] chaogomu@kbin.social 3 points 1 year ago

There's a great analogy that I was introduced to a while back,

Life is like a carnival dart throw game.

Middle class kids get one throw. Most hit the board somewhere in the "doing okay" region, some miss the board completely, but a small number actually hit the bullseye. They're the rags-to-riches success stories.

Rich kids get as many throws as they want.

Poor kids? They don't get a throw, they're the ones working the booth.

[–] FreeBooteR69@kbin.social 4 points 1 year ago

Right!? Winners win. Just win dummy!

[–] Xeelee@kbin.social 5 points 1 year ago

You're one of those boffin types who think you know everything, are you? But my gran said people like you are arrogant so I'll rather believe the snake oil salesmen. Checkmate leftists!