VI - funny that we are discussing this, as I read an article on population control in the last 2-3 weeks. I wipe my history often, but shall see if I can find it by looking around on google. I don't read 'scientific' or political blogs, so it would be .edu or .gov, or in a bona fide onine news outlet, etc. It discussed a case study of some country or population that was headed for overpopulation crisis, and certain factors naturally come into play, that levelled things out on their own. Also spoke of China, and how the attempt at population control has backfired, big time. Hmm. Very interesting stuff, and made a lot of sense.
My personal opinion is that we have already interfered with nature. If we could change, and use technology to help people lead better lives. Example: Food. If we returned to family farms (which take up very little acreage, planting methods can be used that naturally control pests, crop and grazing rotation, all good things for people and earth) and started to *mostly* eat local foods and fresh local produce, thousands of jobs would be created. Factory farms, with their disease-ridden populations and shit pools that endanger the water supply, would be gone. The waste of so much food that is thrown away because it does not meet supermarket standards? That waste alone, would feed all of our hungry and aid the working poor in Canada.
This would require a new monetary system. Deconstruction of multi-nationals would be required. Economic and political power-seeking would have to become a 'bad thing'. Different solutions for different regions, continents, countries, etc. World cooperation, a true global economy free from exploitation of those who need help and support the most.
In other words, we need a global paradigm shift. We need to see the Earth and all life on it, as one huge ecosystem of which we are a part. Instead of being bent on conquering, we should be focused on co-operation. We have the technology. We just need the will.
Thank you, and good nite! :P
"You may say I'm a dreamer; but I'm not the only one."
Even physicists speak of levels of planets, that evolve into higher forms of consciousness. It's a small part of science that Star Trek and 'first contact' is based on. I feel that this paradigm shift has begun. Things will get worse before they get better, and not in my lifetime. But I do feel that humanity, and our planet is in a state of flux, and the final outcome will be progress.
tal
Edit: Further, let's take a look at antibiotic resistance and superbugs. Salmonella is now developing deadly antibiotic-resistant strains. And it's everywhere in poultry. In North America, it is particularly rampant. Even backyard chickens can have salmonella. We don't know what the next superbug will be, but populations could be greatly reduced by a plague or virus that we just ... canNOT ... cure. Period. Perhaps 60% of the population will have a natural resistance (like shingles, for example), and they will survive. *shrugs*
