Malthusian Catastrophe
Posted: Wed Jan 14, 2009 11:40 am
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In 1798 Thomas Malthus said the following:
I think I may fairly make two postulata. First, That food is necessary to the existence of man. Secondly, That the passion between the sexes is necessary and will remain nearly in its present state. These two laws, ever since we have had any knowledge of mankind, appear to have been fixed laws of our nature, and, as we have not hitherto seen any alteration in them, we have no right to conclude that they will ever cease to be what they now are, without an immediate act of power in that Being who first arranged the system of the universe, and for the advantage of his creatures, still executes, according to fixed laws, all its various operations.
…
Assuming then my postulata as granted, I say, that the power of population is indefinitely greater than the power in the earth to produce subsistence for man. Population, when unchecked, increases in a geometrical ratio.
In the language of the streets:
1) People love to fuck.
2) We are biologically compelled to reproduce.
3) This drive to fuck will never change.
4) One day there will be more people than food (then we are fucked).
5) Save for an act of a deity, we are on a destruction course. (yep, fucked)
For those that believe in Abrahamic religions, an apocalypse isn’t bad news. During the apocalypse, the situation is unfortunate – but soon after the lord will come down from on high to establish his spirit kingdom and make things right. The belief in an apocalypse will always be bad for mother earth. Rather than seeing the globe as an ever-living entity (till the sun runs out of gas) – it’s a resource predestined for damnation.
According to the worlds leading scientists – we are screwed if we don’t tackle global warming pronto. I believe that many inventions will soon come to our rescue, maybe even in the nick of time (lets hope). But our best option is to drastically reduce population and avoid the doomsday prophecy of Malthus.
A world with less humans is a world that will return to harmony and cleanse itself from the waste that we have thrust upon in it since the modern industrial age began. Our efficiency is incredible and yet we as a people are still unable to control our most primitive urges. We cheat, claw, kick and clamor to win contests that don’t exist for prizes that will soon be dust. We are monkeys in pant suits striving to be gods when all that nature requires for happiness is what we give to our pets.
The worst thing to happen to our planet was that we got smart, without growing in equal wisdom. Intelligence under the control of unchecked primate desires is an unfortunate situation indeed. (see nuclear weapons)
Since I don’t believe in the gods, i certainly doubt Zeus will come to our aid. As a people we need to enter into an age of newfound control and understanding of our primitive desires and instincts. We need to know ourselves, and make sacrifices for the good of the planet; for the good of ourselves. All it takes is one generation to make a choice to drastically cut back on reproduction and we will be in a much better position (and quick).
“Wisdom is the ability to make the correct decision when given a choice.” Dr. Rob Hiebert (AKA The HIEB)
[/center]In 1798 Thomas Malthus said the following:
I think I may fairly make two postulata. First, That food is necessary to the existence of man. Secondly, That the passion between the sexes is necessary and will remain nearly in its present state. These two laws, ever since we have had any knowledge of mankind, appear to have been fixed laws of our nature, and, as we have not hitherto seen any alteration in them, we have no right to conclude that they will ever cease to be what they now are, without an immediate act of power in that Being who first arranged the system of the universe, and for the advantage of his creatures, still executes, according to fixed laws, all its various operations.
…
Assuming then my postulata as granted, I say, that the power of population is indefinitely greater than the power in the earth to produce subsistence for man. Population, when unchecked, increases in a geometrical ratio.
In the language of the streets:
1) People love to fuck.
2) We are biologically compelled to reproduce.
3) This drive to fuck will never change.
4) One day there will be more people than food (then we are fucked).
5) Save for an act of a deity, we are on a destruction course. (yep, fucked)
For those that believe in Abrahamic religions, an apocalypse isn’t bad news. During the apocalypse, the situation is unfortunate – but soon after the lord will come down from on high to establish his spirit kingdom and make things right. The belief in an apocalypse will always be bad for mother earth. Rather than seeing the globe as an ever-living entity (till the sun runs out of gas) – it’s a resource predestined for damnation.
According to the worlds leading scientists – we are screwed if we don’t tackle global warming pronto. I believe that many inventions will soon come to our rescue, maybe even in the nick of time (lets hope). But our best option is to drastically reduce population and avoid the doomsday prophecy of Malthus.
A world with less humans is a world that will return to harmony and cleanse itself from the waste that we have thrust upon in it since the modern industrial age began. Our efficiency is incredible and yet we as a people are still unable to control our most primitive urges. We cheat, claw, kick and clamor to win contests that don’t exist for prizes that will soon be dust. We are monkeys in pant suits striving to be gods when all that nature requires for happiness is what we give to our pets.
The worst thing to happen to our planet was that we got smart, without growing in equal wisdom. Intelligence under the control of unchecked primate desires is an unfortunate situation indeed. (see nuclear weapons)
Since I don’t believe in the gods, i certainly doubt Zeus will come to our aid. As a people we need to enter into an age of newfound control and understanding of our primitive desires and instincts. We need to know ourselves, and make sacrifices for the good of the planet; for the good of ourselves. All it takes is one generation to make a choice to drastically cut back on reproduction and we will be in a much better position (and quick).
“Wisdom is the ability to make the correct decision when given a choice.” Dr. Rob Hiebert (AKA The HIEB)