I can think of few things with as much potential to solve the African problem as a cross-continental, high casualty ebola epidemic.
Now before the keyboard warrior decend, allow me to give a bit of historical perspective.
The Black Death was perhaps the greatest thing to ever happen to Europe. In the wake of The Black Death, people found themselves with a lot of inherited wealth. The average person was no longer quite so destitute. This allowed them to invest resources as a society to the development of more effecient farming technology, which was sorely needed since a huge chunk of the brute labor force had been eliminated. MOre efficient farmers meant more food with less work, which freed up more people to pursue industrial and science related occupations, uplifting the tech level and production power of Europe. At some point, Europeans found themselves superior to all their neighbors, and dominated them militarily, increasing their power even further. We never really lost the advantage we gained back then.
a reckoning from Ebola will allow Africa to finally uplift itself. The only point of contention must be "Is it worth the price?"
You already know my opinion, but I'll summarize it here: A thousand strong mass of thriving, prosperous people is better than a million suffering, starving, warring people.
I'd be interested to hear your opinions, NSG.
