Frankly, I find this "first world problem" kind of attitude insulting to the developing world. You want to know who is solving developing world problems every day? The citizens of those countries. I spent most of last year in Turkey, which is rapidly developing. The problems I saw that they faced were largely the same ones I'm facing in the valley. (Frankly, I think Istanbul is more hospitable toward the destitute than San Francisco!)
As to why most software developers aren't working on harder problems, however, is that harder problems usually require more up-front investment and require the investor to take more risk. Without a previous record of success, it is difficult to get that trust.
SpaceX and Tesla don't happen by someone without a track record. Be a little easier on those who are trying to establish one. :)
It goes deeper than Zakat, but that is one element. I'd say that there are issues of shelter security that are solved through slums. As bad as they are made out to be, it is far superior to have a roof over one's head than no roof. Staples are much cheaper, allowing someone to survive on a minimal income. There isn't any restrictions on street sellers, allowing everyone to have a marginal job. The cost of labor is lower, which inhibits the automation and efficiency that we see here.
As Turkey gets wealthier, many of these problems will arise. Homelessness is truly a first world problem, for example.
They're destroying the slums without making alternative housing arrangements. (Turkey's done some of this as well. Tarlabasi and Sulukule are prime examples. It's destroying communities, but India is much worse about it.)
I'd argue that Turkey is actively trying to destroy cultural identity as an extension of decades old habits, regardless of the government in power. (I'm not a Turkish apologist by any means.) However, I think this is getting off the main point of original post, so I'll stop here.
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Frankly, I find this "first world problem" kind of attitude insulting to the developing world. You want to know who is solving developing world problems every day? The citizens of those countries. I spent most of last year in Turkey, which is rapidly developing. The problems I saw that they faced were largely the same ones I'm facing in the valley. (Frankly, I think Istanbul is more hospitable toward the destitute than San Francisco!)
As to why most software developers aren't working on harder problems, however, is that harder problems usually require more up-front investment and require the investor to take more risk. Without a previous record of success, it is difficult to get that trust.
SpaceX and Tesla don't happen by someone without a track record. Be a little easier on those who are trying to establish one. :)
> (Frankly, I think Istanbul is more hospitable toward the destitute than San Francisco!)
That shouldn't be surprising, Zakat is one of the pillars of Islam...
It goes deeper than Zakat, but that is one element. I'd say that there are issues of shelter security that are solved through slums. As bad as they are made out to be, it is far superior to have a roof over one's head than no roof. Staples are much cheaper, allowing someone to survive on a minimal income. There isn't any restrictions on street sellers, allowing everyone to have a marginal job. The cost of labor is lower, which inhibits the automation and efficiency that we see here.
As Turkey gets wealthier, many of these problems will arise. Homelessness is truly a first world problem, for example.
The 2011 census estimated 70000 homeless people in Calcutta. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-21626113
http://southasia.oneworld.net/news/kolkata-slums-face-forced...
They're destroying the slums without making alternative housing arrangements. (Turkey's done some of this as well. Tarlabasi and Sulukule are prime examples. It's destroying communities, but India is much worse about it.)
I'd argue that Turkey is actively trying to destroy cultural identity as an extension of decades old habits, regardless of the government in power. (I'm not a Turkish apologist by any means.) However, I think this is getting off the main point of original post, so I'll stop here.
Maybe the VC model isn't up to the task of funding the future...