Health through Poverty

It is a well known fact that during economic recessions and depressions, people's health improves and death rates decrease. All indicators of public health improve.

So yes, people may be miserable, but at least they're skinny and sober.

It seems obvious to me that we are built to environments where food, shelter, and other resources are scarce. The idea is that I have create fo myself an environment where every cent counts. I have to feel poor and deprived, and radiate this feeling towards my daughters for their own good. To a point, of course.

Few will understand this attitude. But I am old enough to have seen the outcomes of having generous parents and having "cruel", Spartan parents. I think that the outcome is more or less the same. Those who had a "deprived" childhood grew up to be normal and successful. Character is born, I think. Poverty is good for physical health, but it does not improve one's character or chances of life success. Like in everything, moderation is the key.

Pic: Spartan melas zomos, or black soup, a staple soup made of boiled pigs' blood, pork, and vinegar. It is thought that the vinegar was used as an emulsifier to keep the blood from clotting during the cooking process. A visitor from Sybaris said he understood why the Spartans were so willing to die after having tasted their black soup.