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Comment by gaius | Hacker News Reader

It's nothing to do with genetics. It's that people who would board a wooden ship to head to head off into the unknown were predisposed towards taking calculated risks. Some of that will have been passed down to their kids, not genetically but how they were raised and educated. It was simply a much bigger gamble to head across the Atlantic than it was to cross the English Channel.

You still see this today, altho' to a less extent because the risks are much less. Anyone who is working or has moved overseas is likely to be among the most ambitious of their peer group from back home.

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> It's nothing to do with genetics. It's that people who would board a wooden ship to head to head off into the unknown were predisposed towards taking calculated risk

As JetSetWilly pointed out, this lack explanatory power. For instance, it does not explain why the USA is a global power whereas Agentina, Brazil and Mexico are far from it. So while this may be necessary, it cannot be sufficient.

It also doesn't explain why countries such as Germany, Switzerland, and Sweden are so successful. I'm sure you could pick something common to the history of all three and make a completely speculative story about why certain Europeans are the most successful people in the world...

... And people have, check out Jared Diamond.

Sure. I was merely discounting the genetic explanation.

The differences between the successes of north and south America has been explored by economists. One significant factor was the lack of property rights of south Americans. Basically traditional serfdom was exported to south America, whereas the people in the north were able to buy and own their land allowing them to become independently wealthy. Those in the south had to pass nearly all their wealth to the landlords.

There are also other factors like the dominant protestant work ethic in the north (i.e. that working hard is the best way to get close to God, as opposed to focusing on observing dogmatic traditions).

There was also a more established rule of law in the north and there are other differences. So although the potential for similar outcomes was there at the start when the Americas was being founded, they set off on wildly different trajectories.

Edit: I'd recommend reading Civilization by Niall Ferguson.

> Anyone who is working or has moved overseas is likely to be among the most ambitious of their peer group from back home.

Also likely to be from a wealthy or otherwise privileged background: wealth offers opportunity and permits risk-taking.

> Also likely to be from a wealthy or otherwise privileged background: wealth offers opportunity and permits risk-taking.

Maybe likely - but not required. It sounds nice, but until you have a source for this, I'm not likely to believe it.

If anything, especially with these types of endeavors, where there's not just money, but life to be lost - I'd presume that the wealthy would have more to lose than someone with nothing.

In other words, with a wealthy person taking risks has a much higher opportunity cost than someone with nothing to lose.

As an aside, you can move abroad to asia & live for a fraction of the cost that you'd require in the states. International travel & work isn't just the domain of the wealthy anymore.

You correctly note that I said likely, not required. So, we're not in disagreement. I agree with you about the risk to life having some effect, but this obviously doesn't apply to people alive today.

Anyone can move to Asia and have a better quality of life, perhaps, but it sure as hell helps if:

* you can afford regular plane tickets home to family/possibly at short notice,

* you have support back in your home country until you get settled,

* you are wealthy or privileged enough to have access to whatever visa in whichever country you prefer. (e.g. sufficient education and experience to meet the requirements of a skilled work visa)

With respect, if you think intercontinental travel & work isn't primarily the domain of the wealthy, we may have different definitions of wealthy.

What about within the EU?

This is a problem for some and an opportunity for others. Many of the people capable of kickstarting the economies of Greece and Spain have left for England or Germany...

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