Chapter One

6). One section of this chapter that particularly struck me was the vast economic differences present within our world and within our own country. We all see those businesses that seem kind of ludicrous (such as dog-only bakeries) that feed into our "need" for luxury. Yet people are starving all over the world.  Economics must play into this tricky question. This is something that is very frequently discussed and for once, Charles Wheelan produced an answer that made sense. It's one of the most basic economic assumptions, that we all act in our own self interest to better ourselves and our conditions. But why do we buy "luxury goods"and donate more money to conservation projects like the rainforest as Wheelan states? Because we can! We already have our basics (if we are purchasing these goods and donating money) and it feels like we are bettering our own conditions by doing so. He then raised the question as to why we are giving our two-cents to the lives of those in underdeveloped countries inability or lack of concern with their natural surroundings. They can't be concerned because they still need to pay rent, buy food and water. They can't look to buy a luxury or see the importance of saving the rainforest because if they don't provide for their family it won't matter to them. This could be their only available way to make any money. How can you condemn that?  If more developing countries received economic aid and basic care, it might actually be able to save the rainforest and the Bengal Tigers.