The historical moment in which we live requires that all humanity rethink their way of seeing what wealth is. Natural resources need more rational use, our personal lives need more time, and business value can not only consider EBITDA or discounted cash flow. I believe that this movement is gaining traction, and reputation is more valuable every day.
However, we need to bring a problem to the discussion table: inequality. The prospect of an inhabitant of a poor country, struggling for its survival and on less than a dollar a day, is quite different from a European or a middle-class American. Talking to these people that money is not so important comes to be an offense.
You are absolutely right about that. I consider myself coming from a "poor" country with the opportunity to engage the world through the internet. What Western country considers a minimum wage is a luxury for me.
But from my observation, it boils down to how a society functions. And society is made up of individuals and how they live their lives. It is true that in most places making enough for the day is an act of survival. But when someone finally broke through and starts to oppress the people around to make his own lives more plush is how the cycle strengthens itself.
You'd realize that actually in today's society (even the poor), barring extremes like slavery and such. Many poor people kept themselves poor with addiction, maybe that in itself is a form of slavery. But from what i know, our overall economy today actually makes it possible for even the lower end of society to live a considerably more comfortable lives than their ancestors. Which is ultimately what it's all about, there's enough now for everyone.