403. The Elites Playing Hunger Games With Your Life - Jenny Kleeman
May 1, 2024
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Journalist Jenny Kleeman discusses the 'price of life' globally, revealing insights on effective altruists like Elon Musk and Bill Gates. She delves into moral dilemmas, questioning whether they would save a child or a Picasso. The conversation challenges perceptions about elite philanthropy and the value of human life.
Effective altruism focuses on maximizing good through rational giving, raising ethical concerns about cost-effective solutions.
The pricing of life-saving drugs like Zolgensma raises ethical questions and highlights profit-driven healthcare challenges.
Systemic inequalities in modern slavery emphasize power imbalances and socioeconomic exploitation, with implications for ethical considerations.
Deep dives
Effective Altruism and Philanthropy in Silicon Valley
Silicon Valley billionaires like Dustin Moskovitz follow the principles of effective altruism, aiming to maximize good in the world by saving as many lives as possible per dollar. This philosophy focuses on rational, data-driven giving rather than emotional attachment to specific causes. However, it raises concerns about ignoring human suffering for cost-effective solutions, posing ethical dilemmas in philanthropic decision-making.
The Ethics of Drug Pricing and Healthcare Decisions
The NHS in the UK utilizes a measure of 20,000 to 30,000 pounds per quality-adjusted life year to determine which drugs to fund. This cost-benefit analysis approach presents challenges in balancing the value of life against the financial burden of treatments. The pricing of life-saving drugs, like Zolgensma, raises ethical questions as exorbitant costs may limit access to vital treatments, showcasing the broader issue of profit-driven healthcare.
Socio-Economic Disparities and Modern Forms of Slavery
The conversation delves into the prevalence of modern slavery, often disguised in low-wage labor like nail salons and cleaning services. Issues such as exploitation, human trafficking, and underpaid work highlight systemic inequalities and vulnerabilities faced by marginalized populations. The interaction between affordability, convenience, and ethical considerations underscores the complex dynamics of socioeconomic exploitation and power imbalances in society.
The Cost of Lockdowns and Political Decision-Making
Lockdowns during the COVID pandemic were a result of political decisions based on the perception that life is priceless. However, the economic cost of lockdowns was significant, amounting to around 180,000 pounds per quality-adjusted life year saved per person. This cost raised questions about resource allocation, as funds used for lockdown measures could have been directed towards addressing poverty or healthcare needs.
Value of Life in Different Contexts and the Impact of Prices
The podcast highlights the varying perceived values of life, from the cheap Afghan child brides to the expensive lives lost in conflict zones. It discusses how prices are placed on lives by different entities, impacting decisions regarding security, ransom negotiations, and compensations. As technology advances, there is a shift towards more precise valuation of life, with implications for policy-making and resource allocation.
Journalist Jenny Kleeman exposes the ‘price of life’ around the world. Her fascinating revelations include whether the effective altruists such as Elon Musk and Bill Gates are really interested in your life or are just trying to hit targets. Would they save an 8-year-old child or a Picasso? The answer might surprise you. Jenny has been described as a Louis Theroux channeling Margaret Atwood.
Get her book The Price of Life here: https://amzn.to/4a0Vata
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