It may just be the cynicism of our generation, but I find that altruism (be it social, environmental, or whatever) too often gets pegged as stemming from guilt. “I have so much, and that homeless guy has so little, so [even if he doesn't deserve it] I should give him something,” is the typical line of thought. The same mentality might be applied to the Prius driver, obviously abashed by his country’s obsession with gas-guzzlers.

While I won’t deny that this is probably the motivation for some, on a fundamental level I’d like to think it’s rooted in something much more hopeful. In all my naive optomism, I can’t help but feel that a world that is better for everyone is…well, better for everyone. Including (maybe even especially) the wealthiest. If those that are poorest gain the ability to grow beyond mere subsistence, while on an individual relative level they may still be desperately poor, in aggregate they represent a staggering potential market. While it feels terrifically crass to position the argument that way, I’m mostly just trying to say that life is not a zero sum game. Clichéd though it may be, a rising tide lifts all boats.

Besides all that, I would be lying if I said that my beliefs weren’t a little bit selfish - if we ever do reach a point where we no longer need to worry about satisfying the basic needs of life (not just human life, at that) who knows what we’ll be able to achieve. When it comes time that we can strive together towards something (anything!) with some real meaning, I fully intend to be there, and any petty luxuries I might sacrifice in the meantime start to pale in comparison pretty quickly.