I think that Americans place a higher value on preventing extreme poverty around...

rgbrenner · on March 26, 2016

"before around 1970"

You know what happened shortly before 1970? The Great Chinese Famine--where up to 45 million people starved in the span of 3 years.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Chinese_Famine

I'm not sure how saying facts out loud indicates a value preference.

ArkyBeagle · on March 28, 2016

It was said on a time interval from a very long time before 1970 until around 1970. This was not a direct reaction to the Great Famine ( which wasn't widely discussed in the US ).

If you're not familiar enough with American culture to know what I mean, then don't worry about it.

rgbrenner · on March 28, 2016

ok, that's interesting. China had a lot of famines though: 7 from 1900-1962: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_famines_in_China

So I wouldn't be quick to rule out the idea that the phrase started with a famine in China.

I am American btw. But I wasn't alive in 1970.