Poverty Needs Coordination

A perspective on why global poverty persists despite widespread willingness to help, framed as a coordination problem rather than a generosity problem.

Key Points:

• The Core Problem:

  • Billions of people are born into circumstances (war, poverty) that prevent any opportunity for advancement
  • This isn't due to lack of willingness to help from privileged populations
  • It's a systems and coordination failure

• Human Willingness to Help:

  • Most people would skip small luxuries ($3 soda, coffee) to save a life
  • The challenge isn't getting people to sacrifice
  • People need certainty their contribution will create impact

• Requirements for Effective Change:

  • Need coordination of many people acting together
  • Need reliable systems to channel money to right places
  • Need visibility of actual results
  • Need gratification/feedback loop to encourage continued participation

• Startup Opportunity:

  • Build system that makes it easy for people to skip small purchases
  • Ensure money reaches intended recipients
  • Show clear results of contributions
  • Create gratification that encourages repeated participation

• Current Reality:

  • Simple solutions exist (50¢ pills that could save lives)
  • Resources exist (privileged people willing to help)
  • Missing piece is coordination system connecting these elements effectively