>>
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/6432941.stm>>
>>The number of billionaires has risen, and if I understand correctly, Forbes magazine attributes this to an improve in global economy.
>>
>>I hereby offer two alternative explanations, both of which imply a
worsening in the general economic situation.
>>
>>1. It seems that calculations are done in US$, and it is my understanding that the value of this currency has decreased, compared to other currencies. For example, how would the comparison over the years look if people with more than a certain amount of Euros are searched?
>>
>>2. I have seen references in several other news items, stating that the rich get richer, and the poor get poorer. Or something to the effect.
>
>There is an obvious contradiction between #1 and #2. You got to decide firstly which one you like better.
I don't want to decide for one or the other, I am just looking for alternative explanations. However, it may be possible that both factors contribute in part - or rather all three, i.e., some real improvement in global economy (increase in total wealth) might also play a part, without this being the only factor.
Difference in opinions hath cost many millions of lives: for instance, whether flesh be bread, or bread be flesh; whether whistling be a vice or a virtue; whether it be better to kiss a post, or throw it into the fire... (from Gulliver's Travels)
