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cafeoh | 2 years ago

This is hilarious, although some people actually believe that poverty is a mindset issue so I hope to god you're joking

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nine_k|2 years ago

Poverty is not a mindset. But a particular mindset can lead one to poverty and keep them there.

Say, spending 3 hours to save $10 is usually a bad deal, that time can be invested much better. But if one keeps doing that, they end up in a situation where spending 3 hours for $10 is what they have to do, because they don't have a spare $10, and there are pressing needs.

It's a trap. But it ensnares you through a mindset, not through a want of $10 initially.

ImPostingOnHN|2 years ago

> if one keeps doing that, they end up in a situation where spending 3 hours for $10 is what they have to do, because they don't have a spare $10

To add to this: if one keeps doing that, or they're unlucky: Being born into the wrong family, or socioeconomic class. Being the victim of a crime. Having your transportation stolen or break down. Etc.

theGnuMe|2 years ago

If spending that time causes you to lose your job then yes. I can only see that for addicts really. I guess you could be addicted to that pursuit though in a negative way. I wonder how Richard Thaler would see it. In that sense it probably is the same reward pathway in the brain. Interesting possibly worth a phd.

jabroni_salad|2 years ago

You can definitely become povertybrained. My heartrate gets over 120 any time I am buying something that costs more than ten dollars. And thanks to inflation, that's basically everything now. I know it's stupid, but I guess we all came from somewhere.

chris_wot|2 years ago

Well… true poverty is a real thing. But there is a view that you are poor even when you just don’t have as much as others. There are people who get pay rises (significant ones) and who find they are still poor.

There is a mindset to some degree with feelings of poverty. Though, yes, real poverty is a reality.