My guess is running a startup is like running a marathon. The idea of it is great to many people, but as people start to train they realize all the work it takes and drop out. People get into things without fully understanding it all the time. The few that really love it or enjoy the process makes it to the starting line.
The unequal distribution is more related to the power law (80/20 rule) than each other. Money definitely helps, but if it had high correlation, Software Engineers would be viewed as rock stars, instead of the nerds we are lol
I would argue we live in an era with the most access to everything you listed out ever. There are more programs to help the poor than any other period in history. The internet and YouTube give you access to the world's knowledge. You can get a membership to Planet Fitness for $10/month.
Also, I realize all of this is great, but the opposite side is true too. We also live in an era with the most amount of obstacles and vices people can fall into. Yes, there are amazing lectures on YouTube, but there are also millions of addicting cute cat videos.
I state all this to say depression and improving people lives is not as easy as providing them access. They need to want to put in the work themselves.
I have a motto, “It’s really hard to be depressed if you eat, sleep, and exercise well.” Whenever I’m struggling, I drop everything (within reason) and focus all my effort in those 3 areas. When I do that, it doesn’t take long to have the energy and clarity to deal with whatever other problems I may have in my life.
I don't know if achieve is the right word, but two months ago. I decided to do one healthy habit every day. It could be meditating, working out, or spending time with friends. I believe I have only missed 1 or 2 days so far. It feels good.
If you're a manager, managing 50 people. You don't want to come up with goals for all of them. So, you let the employees do it themselves.
The purpose of these goals is similar to any goal, to give you direction. Ideally, these goals are not distraction but things you're already doing that the company find valuable. I mean, you get to set the goals. Don't set goals you think are distractions, set goals you actually want to achieve.