xvire

I don't assume anything. I just point out, that cost of self-education is indeed huge, if you measure it in profits not received from performing some labor. However, its 'price' would still be on par with being completely idle. Of course, not all poor people are idle, but some are. And if those who are indeed idle can afford idleness, non-idle people may afford self-learning.

Learning costs is only marginally higher than the cost of idleness.

Yes, wars, fueled by cultural differences are not great, but god save us from boredom.

Yes, but stocks/bonds is basically giving money to companies so they can do useful stuff with them. So, they are still in the economy.