General Comments / Chat, page-215

Studying economics in uni definitely brought a lot of global issues to light which are challenging to address, even more challenging in a democracy, almost an ethical dilemma.

Population growth is out of control, we study what's needed to sustain a culture (>2.3 births per couple). But a lot of western cultures don't have this, Japan is closer to 1 meaning they will half their population in the future, don't remember how long. But then cultures like Saudi Arabia, Iran, Middle-Eastern, China, African cultures, have a very high number of births per family meaning their culture is increasing. This dilemma means two things, first more wealthy countries cultures are dying out and therefore we are required to increase migration from other countries, secondly these other countries birth rates are increasing at such an alarming rate that the planets resources cannot handle the increase (food and clean water are the big ones).

Usually large scale wars and limited access to health would had curbed this increase. These days though, we're relatively at peace, and healthcare is the best it has ever been - we're living longer and prolonging peoples lives. Climate change is also a direct result of our population growth and movement as well - look how the world has recovered as things have been restricted.

I do like a good conspiracy theory as well. How do you curb this increase for the greater good? Plenty of theories were thrown around in class but none would be possible in a democracy, but something needs to be done. What and how can we increase food for the population growth, we can't do a genocide or limit births like China (they're in a world of trouble because of that now).

Maybe it needs to be more secretive. Maybe like a virus that adapts and mutates each year? Or maybe genetically modifying food to increase production, but also decrease fertility rates. Or making junk food cheaper so people get sicker and need healthcare but die earlier? Or putting things in the water (the CIA did it to a French town)?

I think the world is currently at a pivotal point in history where we don't know what the future holds. Maybe we all need to take a long hard look at consuming as a way to measure growth, maybe that's not the right metric. Maybe it's gross national happiness? Maybe we need to provide more access to the little guys rather than big corporations. Maybe access to high quality education globally will help - the age old saying where a kid in Africa could have a cure for cancer.

Anyways, I do like the thought on the world fighting back with a virus to get rid of it's virus (homosapians). I thought about this a few weeks ago as well. Why can't the earth fight back? We've been destroying large parts of it for centuries.