Heres a quick one for discussion. Not sure whether it would end up needing to be put in speakers corner, but hopefully itll be safe.
The problem:
The global population is pretty high (cant remember if weve passed the 7 billion mark). Many sustainable development (and similar) models suggest that for a "good" quality of living, the population would really want to be around 2 billion. (One problem is the definition of "good" in these models is often of a developed western countries consumption rate as opposed to essentials etc).
However, if we put aside the definition of "good" quality of living, therere other problems just below the surface. One key one that comes to mind is humankinds medical endevours. Not only in developed countries, where people are living longer and thus consuming more resources, but in 3rd world countries. If you think of the ads stating that with just a little money they could have fed all the children and gotten rid of thousands of deaths, you have to wonder what would happen if suddenly everyone started living more (IE death rates plummeted globally).
Dont get me wrong, everyone has the right to life and theres no reason why preference should be given to a developed country.This discussion is just on what peoples views are on the situation.
Though Im not advocating it, or in favour of it...but to me the only solution/s to this problem of global consumption would be some global policy of birth control ala "Brave New World" or even seen in Larry Nivens "Ringworld". I mean, to start people could be allowed 1 child each (IE a couple could have 2 children etc) which enforced globally would stop population increase. Reversing the children support system so that it becomes desirable to have just 1 or 0 children would then aid in the decrease of the populations. This could combat the rise from the fact people already born would survive longer. - Obviously never enforceable, just a hypothetical control
To tackle the resource issues, a solution I see would be the relocation of entire continents population. Urbanisation of already developed continents and the outsourcing of agriculture etc to less developed locations. Various techs are already underway which require huge amounts of space but at the same time could provide vast renewable resources if they went ahead.
Now, the above ideas paint a grim picture of the world should they actually happen. But to me I cannot imagine any other solutions that could tackle the problems of increasing population and decreasing resources. Anyone else got any ideas.
said somthing simlair in privateers thread.
To many people in the world & its unsustainable. In the animal kingdom, the weak die & the strong survive. In our kingdom, the Strong have to compensate the weak with everything from donations to paying taxes.
Why are we made to feel guilty when a collection box is waived in our face? I couldnt really care less if some african was starving 5,000 miles away. Hes not my creation, hes not my problem. Let them deal with it. Been plenty of independance wars over the years.
Im an animal. All I care about is my own welfare & survival. If I have to eat/exploit others to do that, then thats what Ill do. Im sure the richest people in the world didnt get rich by being niece or not exploiting someone somwhere..
and another question.. the queen is in power because of the royal line.. somwhere along that line her relative would have killed the current king in their time. So why cant someone now kill the head of the royal family & announce themselves king? that one has always puzzled me.