Speaking of perspective, I wouldn't call living off of cereal or ramen human suffering. These are people who could probably do one hour of consulting and, with the money they make, buy more food than someone in the third world sees in a month. It's human suffering much in the same way that choosing to flagellate yourself with a cat o' nine tails is.
Eating a healthy diet is unquestionably better than eating a cereal-and-ramen diet. Being able to afford a better diet does lessen human suffering, even if that person isn't a starving child in Sudan. Being bummed out that someone's life is better, simply because it doesn't make for a good story, is shitty.
If Mr. Scoble wants a story of struggle and sacrifice, he can kindly live it himself.
I understand the point you're making. I was addressing your use of "human suffering". Staying at the Hilton is unquestionably better than staying at a Motel 6, but calling a night at the Motel 6 "human suffering" would be ridiculous and such use cheapens the term.
I understand what you're saying. The human condition is relative. But I've lived where I had no spending power, no paycheck for another week, and only a pack of ramen in the house. I might not have been dying, but I was certainly suffering. It's just awful to wish that on anyone, especially when he would never in a million years wish it on himself. He's putting himself above the people who keep him in work. It's disrespectful to say the least.
Because of food banks, I take "living on ramen" as a euphemism not going out or getting laid. And does a founder who's never had a big exit or a high-paying job really have the credibility to sell consulting hours?
