Replies

Proposal:

New Reality TV series: "Poverty Princes"

Over several months, a group of contestants is each forced to live on a fast-food or similar minimum wage job. No starting savings, nothing other than one change of clothes. No government benefits no available to all citizens (bus pass OK, food stamps not.) After three months, the winner is the one with the best lifestyle.

In the process, the viewers (including the couch-potato "poor") could learn some valuable lessons in how to live well on modest means, simply by being resourceful. (Second-hand clothes, finding a roommate, living near the bus line, not living in Manhattan, learning to take ingredients, and cook them.)

New Reality TV series: "Poverty Princes"

Really cool idea. It really matters where you "dump" the person for starters. Playing the game in NYC is a whole other story from playing it in St. Louis.

In real life, though, very few people start out literally with *nothing.* People in high school can start working when they're 16 (if they can stay off drugs, keep their jeans zipped, and get up in the morning.) That gives them two years to save money. Even if they only save $500, that's enough to get them moved in to a cheap and humble living situation.

Besides, people who are truly *that* poor in real life are eligible for a *host* of bennies our kids aren't - like free college, grants, low-cost loans, etc.

But the game does sound like a good idea. Those who spend the least money are going to win - and it takes some skill to know how to do that. What it comes down to is culture. It always does.