If you are doing a research paper on Einstein’s theory of relativity just go back to Google now.  On the other hand if you want some random bloggers insights on the theory of relativity in day to day life feel free to read on.

 I believe that everything in life is relative.  How good you have it is relative to the things around you.  Humans have and always will be a competitive species and will be trying to get ahead of the next guy.  Communism does not work.  We are always trying to get ourselves to the next level.  I say that this is a good thing.  Sure it has brought about wars and people have lost their livelihood but it has also gotten us out of the farmer stages of societal evolution. 

 As we grow up what is expected of us has changed and expanded.  Why?  Because someone else has done it.  We are in a constant state of competition.  This can be material goods we acquire or inventions we have patented.    

 So what the hell does this have to with economics and curing society’s ills?  Well let’s get one thing out of the way.  We will always have poor and we will always have rich.  Even soviet communism had rich and poor.  This is because everything is relative and those that are poor merely have less then those that rich.  No matter what they actually have its all relative.  In today’s America the poor have multiple TVs, a computer, a car, heating, air conditioning, and food.  Do they have the best of these things? No.  But in comparison to what people had thirty years ago these things were only in the rich peoples homes.  The reason they are still considered poor is because others have so much more or better versions of these things. 

 This relativity applies to anything people can see.  I believe that shows like the “rich and famous” belittles the people who can not live like that.  It is an instant comparison to what the viewers have, which is little in comparison.  It does not mean that they do not enjoy what they have, but they think can or should have it better.  Perhaps one day the poor will also have yachts but the rich will have bigger ones.  And the poor will not be happy then either.

 In addition to macro comparisons like the shows on TV we also deal with relativity locally.  We compete most immediately locally.  It is a “I have more then the Jones mentality”.  This can range from a new set of rims on the car, to a new fishing boat in the driveway.  It is an outward sign of status and potentially makes one more attractive to a potential mate.  Sure in the greater scheme of things it is meaningless. Since in the end if you enjoy what you have you are usually happier then those that trying to keep up with the Jones, but we still do it.

 Since we can not eliminate people from being poor, because poor is relative.  What can be done to allow for people to be happy?  What truly makes most people happy is accomplishment.  This usually means that someone is getting better relative to what they did have.  In the end this is the only thing that can be done.  Allow people to move up.  And conversely allow people to move down.