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> Is it "increase the standard of living " when it decreases your life expectancy, physical shape

Yes, it increases the standard of living by pulling poor people out of poverty. So the rich consumer nation has their life decreased due to over consumption while increasing the standard of living of those from poorer nations. The rich consumer nation cannot consume AND increase life expectancy at an infinite rate.

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Cars do not, on their own, pull poor people out of poverty. In the US it’s quite the opposite. The need to own a car is a significant drag on many peoples finances

If it was that easy poverty wouldn't exist for decades

Simply look to China and India of the past few decades. With the US offshoring a majority of their manufacturers to China, it lifted their people out of poverty. The US outsourced a majority of their tech support / call center jobs to India and India has seen the same result. You may also look to Japan and semiconductors, and engines. Note these are only but some and small portions but if you zoom out it’s hard to miss.

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