Even if we were to assume that some 30% of the world's population has those needs met, then that means that-- even in the absense of any other factors of mitigation-- we've gone from 6300 persons to 1890 who might have the "ability" to problem-solve at an Einsteinian level.
Maybe, maybe not. As people become more talented, their ability to overcome adversity may also increase. I'm just thinking out loud here, but I doubt the equation is as simple as 30% of the world's population doesn't have its needs met. Highly talented people are more likely to find a way by virtue of having more talent. I don't know about survival instinct, of course, which is also important in this example.
But as an example, think about people like Andy Grove and Rep. Tom Lantos (California). Both were holocaust survivors (and Grove had to flee Hungary during the revolution in 1956). Both came to the US with basically pennies to their names, and both did spectacularly well.
Must read with my daughter...
Val
