Minsky on population 9

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1. 

   Jonas Posted 3:58 am
   25 Sep 2008

   There is no problem with populationThere is no population problem. Everyone who says there is, is a fraud.
   Population is declining in vast parts of the world - in Europe, Russia, Japan and China.
   Population will be declining globally from 2075 onwards.
   There is absolutely no population problem.
   Neo-malthusianism is the true enemy of reason. It must be exposed and crushed each time the reactionaries try to utter it.
   The only population problem, is that of rapidly declining fertility rates.

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2. 

   Bob Wallace Posted 4:55 am
   25 Sep 2008

   Oh, come on...There is obviously a population problem.
   If there were only a billion or so on the face of the Earth we could do as we are doing and we wouldn't be endangering ourselves are we currently are.
   What we don't have is an out of control population increase.  In most of the world birth rates have moderated.  In some parts they have fallen below replacement levels.  Improve education and the economy in Africa and we can put population growth problems behind us.
   Lowering and speeding up the peak would be to our great advantage.

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3. 

   Biodiversivist Posted 7:24 am
   25 Sep 2008

   Jonas #1 demonstrateshow hard it can be to distinguish sarcasm from real commentary on the internet.
   
   In the end, it all comes down to biodiversity. Poison Darts--Protecting the biodiversity of our world

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4. 

   Bob Wallace Posted 1:44 pm
   25 Sep 2008

   It is hard...On a site that can get posts from very knowledgeable people mixed in with drivel from dummies.
   If Jonas was snarkking he got one past me.
   Wouldn't be the first time I got fooled either....

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5. 

   Biodiversivist Posted 2:35 pm
   25 Sep 2008

   Actually, Bob, he isn't being sarcasitcYou had him pegged the first time.
   
   In the end, it all comes down to biodiversity. Poison Darts--Protecting the biodiversity of our world

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6. 

   Jonas Posted 11:34 pm
   25 Sep 2008

   Stop the fascist liesLet me repeat: there is obviously no population problem whatsoever. Whoever says there is, must be qualified instantly as a fascist.
   -Population growth rates are rapidly declining in Europe, Russia, China and Japan
   -Just today, in MO*, a key magazine about sustainable development, new figures show that the aging trend is even rapidly emerging in developing countries
   -The UN knows that by 2075 world population will stabilize at 8.9 to 9.2 billion people, and will decline from 2100 onwards.
   -So we must succeed in feeding only 2.5 to 3 billion people more, which is entirely non-problematic.
   The only long-term worry about population, is the trend of rapid aging populations and depopulation.
   Neo-malthusianism equals neo-fascism.

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7. 

   Biodiversivist Posted 2:44 am
   26 Sep 2008

   To deny that the wants needs and desires of 6.7billion upright walking primates are not the  cause of this extinction event is disingenuous, to put it mildly.
   Minsky presents in a lighthearted way some  interesting thought exercises, like what if people were much smaller, or, by combining the chromosomes of several parents to create one child all participants could care and provide for just one child, thus satiating our urge to procreate but with much less impact on the environment.
   He has a powerfully creative mind and a wry sense of humor to boot. Not all people are capable of original thought. Not all people have such a rich sense of humor.
   
   In the end, it all comes down to biodiversity. Poison Darts--Protecting the biodiversity of our world

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8. 

   David Roberts Posted 3:29 am
   26 Sep 2008

   Jonas,Quit labeling people who disagree with you as fascists. It's obnoxious.
   
   grist.org

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9. 

   Jonas Posted 3:21 am
   27 Sep 2008

   No, no DavidNo, no, David, that's too easy.
   I seldom or never use the term.
   But when I use it, I mean it. Malthusianism has been historically tied to fascism and nazism. And Neo-Malthusianism still is.
   This topic requires labelling, indeed, so as to stiffle any resurgence of these horribly irrational lines of thought.

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