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[mainiac]

http://www.globalrichlist.com/

I stumbled across an interesting site today that shows you how rich you are compared to the world population (and of course proceeds to guilt you about it.)  I found it interesting when I typed in my income for part time employment.  I just work a few hours a week while living with my parents and going to school and volunteering for most of my working time.  My total income for the year will probably be around 5500 dollars, enough to cover my car expenses, groceries for when it's my turn to cook, and a few other things related to school, volunteering or girlfriend.  By American standards, I'd be very poor were it not for the fact that I'm still living off my parents.  But by Earth standards, I am a very affluent individual for my income alone.  85% of the world doesn't have as much as I make for part time employment!

Obviously, the site has a good point that we should share with the less fortunate.  But I think we should also take the time to appreciate how much we have.  When you stop to think about it, that $5000 of discretionary income is a lot.  Having a car is actually a pretty awesome thing.  I have the freedom to go buy whatever I want when I need to cook.  When I need to spend money on something, I can, without much worry.  So I just want to offer everyone the advice to go to this site then take a moment to appreciate how rich you are.  Consider all the awesome things you have in your life and feel happy about it for a moment.

[Eugenitor]

Now compare it to the local cost of living.

You'd be surprised how far the dollar/euro/pound goes in poorer countries.

[Zangi]

This thing is broken, won't let me list less then $101 USD.
($100 and less USD borks it up)

[DJ]

I put in 0€, and there's like a billion people poorer than me

And I'm not lying, either, I'm out of work, just like vast majority of people under 30 in my country. Another amusing statistic - only 3% of Bosnian young people with university degree are working in a position that requires their degree.

[Jopax]

Yay for Bosnia XD

[mainiac]

Define "requires a degree."  Here in the US there are a lot of jobs where a degree is normal but has no relevance to the job.

[smigenboger]

I'm sure we are all in the top 20%, though it doesn't exactly mean our quality of life is better.

Though I get what they're saying.

[DJ]

I mean requires their degree, ie it's a field related to it. For example, somebody with a degree in economics working in a bank, or someone with a degree in a foreign language working as a teacher or a translator. Yeah, I know, a lot of people end up in fields completely unrelated to what they studied even in developed countries, but 3% is still a rather low number. Though a lot of it due to general unemployment, I guess. 40% according to CIA, and most of the employed population are 40+.

[Cthulhu]

I put my income as 12$ USD and found out I was the richest person in the world.

Hell yeah.

[cerapa]

I put my income as 12$ USD and found out I was the richest person in the world.

Hell yeah.

I found out Im in the richest people in the world.

I dont like it here. They smell.

[Itnetlolor]

I'm earning minimum wage (est. annual looks pretty bad on it's own) and I'm still apparently richer than the majority.

That's sad. I should be closer to the center of the graph, not right. I'm just scraping by, as is, myself.

I think our economy sucks badly if I score THAT high for minimum wage. (top 13.4%)

Oh yeah, and I based my score off my most recent end-year income (minus taxes). With taxes scores as 13.6%.

EDIT:
Okay, our global economy sucks as a whole.

And that does seem to make more sense, I suppose. I mean, considering I'm able to participate in this thread could be proof enough to your statement.

[Cthulhu]

Nah, the first world is a pretty small percentage of the total population, and Africa's average yearly income probably tops out at maybe a few hundred a year.  Our poor live like kings compared to most of the world.

[RedWarrior0]

So do we tell the poor to live a life of kingship elsewhere?

[Cthulhu]

Yes, exactly.

[Astramancer]

On the other hand, our poor that drop down to only the top 30% of worldwide wealth end up homeless on the street, struggling to get a scrap of food to eat, and can't get jobs because they don't have an address or place to clean up, or clothes that aren't filthy and falling apart.  (unless they happen to have family/friends they can crash with)