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comment by b_b
b_b  ·  4295 days ago  ·  link  ·    ·  parent  ·  post: Is the world fundamentally better off because of science and technology

I think by your argument that it would still seem that on the balance we are collectively better off, unless you think that the negatives of not having access to medical care outweigh the positives of having it. That seems specious. We would be a better society if everyone could get good quality care, but then the goal should be trying to improve access, not scorning those who already have access. Also, even in remote regions, the poverty level and access to clean water have improved dramatically in the last several decades, even if hospitals are a long way off.