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Aerial photos reveal the stark divide between rich and poor

bbc.co.uk

11–20 of 98 posts

Re: Aerial photos reveal the stark divide between rich and poor

#11

I'm always confused by these kind of pictures. The 'developed' spaces have apartment towers and dense construction - many more people appear to live there per acre. If land is at such a premium (and the towers seem to indicate this) then how on earth does the shack-dweller afford so much land (relatively) for their very-much-lower density housing? Sure maybe 20 people live in a shack, I understand that, but in the sa…

Location, location, location.

Price per square m/ft is much lower in the slum than in the gated community.

If you couldn't aford a place in the gated community, would you use that money to buy a place in the slum? Or would you try elsewhere?

The problem in general is not absolute lack of space for building (except islands like Japan, ...), but lack of place to build in desirable locations.

Re: Aerial photos reveal the stark divide between rich and poor

#12

This exists probably in all countries. I also don't quite get the message out of these pictures. Or if it is even a matter which needs to be solved. If it is, redistribution of wealth is not practical IMO.

Let me paraphrase what you said: "I dont see the problem. If there is a problem I dont know we should solve it. If there is a problem we shouldnt solve it because its natural. If it is a problem and we should deal with it we shouldnt use redistribution." Isnt there a name for this type of reasoning?

It sounds like the Narcissist’s Prayer.

That didn’t happen.

And if it did, it wasn’t that bad.

And if it was, that’s not a big deal.

And if it is, that’s not my fault.

And if it was, I didn’t mean it.

And if I did…

You deserved it.

Re: Aerial photos reveal the stark divide between rich and poor

#13
post #11

I'm always confused by these kind of pictures. The 'developed' spaces have apartment towers and dense construction - many more people appear to live there per acre. If land is at such a premium (and the towers seem to indicate this) then how on earth does the shack-dweller afford so much land (relatively) for their very-much-lower density housing? Sure maybe 20 people live in a shack, I understand that, but in the sa…

Location, location, location. Price per square m/ft is much lower in the slum than in the gated community. If you couldn't aford a place in the gated community, would you use that money to buy a place in the slum? Or would you try elsewhere? The problem in general is not absolute lack of space for building (except islands like Japan, ...), but lack of place to build in desirable locations.

They are across a fence from one another. If land was at a premium, I'd assume somebody in power would burn the slums and sell the land? That's what I don't get.

Re: Aerial photos reveal the stark divide between rich and poor

#14

This exists probably in all countries. I also don't quite get the message out of these pictures. Or if it is even a matter which needs to be solved. If it is, redistribution of wealth is not practical IMO.

>redistribution of wealth is not practical IMO.

Why not? We essentially distributed it up, why can't it come back down?

Re: Aerial photos reveal the stark divide between rich and poor

#15

This exists probably in all countries. I also don't quite get the message out of these pictures. Or if it is even a matter which needs to be solved. If it is, redistribution of wealth is not practical IMO.

And if you had a dog...

http://acronymrequired.com/2011/10/the-four-dog-defense.html

Re: Aerial photos reveal the stark divide between rich and poor

#16

I'm always confused by these kind of pictures. The 'developed' spaces have apartment towers and dense construction - many more people appear to live there per acre. If land is at such a premium (and the towers seem to indicate this) then how on earth does the shack-dweller afford so much land (relatively) for their very-much-lower density housing? Sure maybe 20 people live in a shack, I understand that, but in the sa…

I think the key differentiator in most of these pictures is the amount of area without buildings. With shacks, the whole area is covered with tin roofs. In the wealthier areas, the cheaper housing is higher density apartment towers, and the expensive housing is single family homes (or townhouses) with lots of lawn.

Re: Aerial photos reveal the stark divide between rich and poor

#17
post #11

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Location, location, location. Price per square m/ft is much lower in the slum than in the gated community. If you couldn't aford a place in the gated community, would you use that money to buy a place in the slum? Or would you try elsewhere? The problem in general is not absolute lack of space for building (except islands like Japan, ...), but lack of place to build in desirable locations.

They are across a fence from one another. If land was at a premium, I'd assume somebody in power would burn the slums and sell the land? That's what I don't get.

[deleted]

Re: Aerial photos reveal the stark divide between rich and poor

#18

This exists probably in all countries. I also don't quite get the message out of these pictures. Or if it is even a matter which needs to be solved. If it is, redistribution of wealth is not practical IMO.

Ill try follow the guidelines here

You really don't see the issue here? The migration of poor peasants to the cities living in slums is a well known phenomenon even in the UK a lot of slums existed until well after ww2

Of course South Africa has its own tragic post ww2 history I would have thought that most people would have some understanding

Re: Aerial photos reveal the stark divide between rich and poor

#19

This exists probably in all countries. I also don't quite get the message out of these pictures. Or if it is even a matter which needs to be solved. If it is, redistribution of wealth is not practical IMO.

This set of images is just an example of the extreme consolidation of wealth amongst some select few individuals. I agree that redistributing wealth equally is no easy feat, however, we need to be aware that this growing inequality is progressing exponentially. If precautions are not taken (i.e. net neutrality for example) the 1% will continue to acquire most of the world's wealth, making it more and more difficult for any social mobility.

Re: Aerial photos reveal the stark divide between rich and poor

#20
post #11

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Location, location, location. Price per square m/ft is much lower in the slum than in the gated community. If you couldn't aford a place in the gated community, would you use that money to buy a place in the slum? Or would you try elsewhere? The problem in general is not absolute lack of space for building (except islands like Japan, ...), but lack of place to build in desirable locations.

They are across a fence from one another. If land was at a premium, I'd assume somebody in power would burn the slums and sell the land? That's what I don't get.

Apparently that happens:

https://www.wsj.com/articles/mumbais-slums-make-way-for-luxu...

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