Mankind

quote:

Originally posted by Don Atkinson:

quote:

Don

What is your (final?) solution?

Don't know.

I've only identified the problem and am open to suggestions.

Cheers

Don

Why a billion then?

Genocide would work - waddya think? Go on, suggest something.

Since over population seems to be prevelant in poor countries. Perhaps if we gave them the tools to better themselves economically, the over procreation thing would cure itself. Over many generations,naturally.

The genocide thing is out !


Sanch

Don is right. We are overpopulated. The PC bragade and green fascists (apart from Pol Pot) would disagree of course. They would say that we should ride bicycles, all 6 billion and counting of us.

Two things make us breed irresponsibly (apart from financial incentives provided by the state): the orgasm and this life force thing. The first is entirely logical and can be enjoyed without procreation given modern day methods of contraception. The second is just plain stupid (or to get a council house.)

It is not the "West" that "suffers" from overpopulation.

Without intervention, overpopulation sorts itself out.

It is not the West that is overpopulated.

quote:

Originally posted by Steve Toy:
It is not the West that is overpopulated.

'kin 'ell, that's almost what I said, but I said it better.

quote:

Originally posted by Don Atkinson:
So, you (Acad) are not a fan of Hawking.

Fair enough.

Cheers

Don

Don,

I have a great respect for him and I enjoyed reading his biography immensely. However I also think he is over estimated by joe public who look on his every utterance as if he is the Messiah. Having great respect for him and most of his work does not mean I think he speaks complete sense all the time, he's only human after all. He's not the Messiah he's a very naughty boy!

Cheers,

Acad

quote:

Why a billion then?

Genocide would work - waddya think? Go on, suggest something.

I don't think genocide is an acceptable solution. I'm surprised that anybody would make such a suggestion.

If you take a look at Page one of this thread, I did make a suggestion. I haven't noticed many others, other than your suggestion of genocide, which I find alarming.

As for the West not being overpopulated, this doesn't sit easily with Eddington's report today about transport, nor reports earlier this week about our infrastucture being unable to cope.

The UK is definately overpopulated. We need to act, it won't sort itself out.

Cheers

Don

Nigel, I felt the need to clarify because the PC bleeding hearts brigade could say that the developing world suffers from overpopulation exacerbated by the west.

The reality is that the developing world suffers through its own overpopulation and we are made to feel guilty about it.

Eddington's report is about denying a significant proportion of the population the right to travel where they may need to by pricing such travel beyond their means.

Feedom and democracy, for which our ancestors fought and sacrificed, was never about travel being reserved for a privileged few.

Controlling immigration into our country would be fairer for those who are already here.

quote:

Controlling immigration into our country would be fairer for those who are already here.

Agreed

We have too many people here. This is why our transport system is overcrowded. We need to stop further imigration. Get rid of recent immigrants who don't behave themselves. We also need to persuade the resident population to have fewer children and to reduce our wasteful consumption of scarce resources.

If we don't take responsible action, we will go down the pathetic route postulated by Nigel that overpopulation has a way of sorting itself out. Which is true. Its normally refered to as War, Pestilance and Poverty. With Nigel's lust for genocide thrown in for good measure.

I would rather act in a controlled way.

Cheers

Don

quote:

Originally posted by Don Atkinson:

We have too many people here. This is why our transport system is overcrowded.

And there was naive old me, thinking it was years of chronic underfunding by the rail companies.

quote:

And there was naive old me, thinking it was years of chronic underfunding by the rail companies.

Network Rail/Railtrack has been spending £5 billion a year for the last 10 years to run/renew/expand the network. Doesn't look like chronic underfunding to me. All funded by the government.

When I go up to London, the lines from Reading to Paddington seem to carry a train every 3 minutes in the rush hours, and the trains seem to be full. I imagine the picture is the same into Victoria, Waterloo, Canon Street, Blackfriars, Fenchurch Street, Liverpool Street, Kings Cross, Euston and Marylebone. Are we going to add additional tracks (with new bridges etc) to add 50% or 100% capacity? I think not.

And its the same picture on the roads.

Too many people? Too little capacity?

Well, we've tried increasing the capacity of roads and railways. I think its about time we started looking at reducing the number of people.

Cheers

Don

Why is genocide unthinkable?

It is beginning to look as if there isn't time to allow for 'natural' methods of population deflation, leaving genocide as the only option.

I'd put money on there being plans already within each of the most populous countries to eliminate one or two of the others. It may be that the plans are unworkable logistically but I'm sure that minds have been set to the task!

Fraser

quote:

Why is genocide unthinkable?

In what sense are you using the word "unthinkable"?

I am sure you are right when you imagine some leaders contemplating genocide, so in that sense it clearly is thinkable.

I don't consider it an acceptable way forward, and would be prepared to wage war on those who tried to put it into practise. Which in an ironic way, might lead to a similar out-turn.

Cheers

Don

quote:

Originally posted by Don Atkinson:


. With Nigel's lust for genocide thrown in for good measure.

I would rather act in a controlled way.

Cheers

Don

Why do you say I have a "Lust for genocide" ?

"Genocide would work - waddya think?"

Looks like lust to me. YMMV

Cheers

Don

Is English not your first language by any chance?