[Phys-l] Comparisons are Invidious (was Energy use)

[Brian Whatcott <betwys1@sbcglobal.net>]

It's easy to suppose that the U.S enjoys a world-topping standard of living.
It appears however, that the US ranks several down from the chart-toppers.
Last I recall it was one of the Scandinavian countries that enjoyed 
that slot.

It's easy to suppose we have the best medical care on Earth - but it 
turns out our life expectancy is rather shorter than that of several 
other nationals, though here it is bought at a unit health cost  per GDP 
greater than anyplace else, despite the considerable population holes in 
coverage.

Some others tend to have an unfair advantage in this health care area - 
no matter how poor, they get pre-natal visits and mothers who can stay 
home for the perinatal period.
That lifts the numbers at the front-end, apparently. Think France, or 
Canada.

Brian W

marx@phy.ilstu.edu wrote:
> Here, here!!
>
> There is a strong correlation between GDP and energy use.  We enjoy our standard of living and pay 
> for the energy we use to maintain that standard.  There are many though that want us to revert to a 
> standard of living that this country hasn't seen for more than a century.  That is ridiculous.  What we 
> can do is find ways for people around the world to generate enough energy to improve their standard of 
> living - which would also go a long way to reduce the birth rate in many countries - without necessarily 
> causing great harm to the Earth.
>
>