On track to hit 7 billion people this month

[MothBalls]

We're on track to hit 7 billion humans on the planet this month. Here's one of those real time counters, currently at 6,997,000,000. http://www.worldometers.info/

The curve seems to be steep lately. My theory, and I could be wrong, but it's because of industrialization. Now that we can mass produce and distribute better beer and alcohol, that led to the mass production and distribution of better porn. So with all the drunk horny people running around making babies, we now see a population spike. (Maybe all that friction is causing global warming.)

It does bring up some serious questions, like how many people can the planet support, what happens when we pass that number, etc. I guess culling is an option. If so I think we should do it by profession, starting with politicians, then lawyers, white collar executives and finally anyone who doesn't appreciate a decent submarine simulation.

[JU_88]

Well, the worlds food supply is already stretched, we have enough for the equivilent of one bowl of rice a day each, but obviously some of us eat alot more than that, while many eat much less.

If there is a 'cull', Ill imagine it will come in the form of a war or a manufactured virus, that would be the logical way to have one.
Obviously if our governments ever did decide to cut our numbers, they would start with the poorest people first and carry it out using methods that redirect the blame elsewhere, or make it look like an accident - probably blame it on muslim radicals or whoever our boogey man is in the future.

On the other hand they may just have to introduce new laws on reproduction (like china)
Who knows, they could be discussing their options at these G20 summits,
Over population is an issue, while the solution doesnt have to be Genocide, it is unfortunaley for us- probably the cheapest.

[Dread Knot]

I figure when the Zombie Apocalypse occurs, we'll drop to under 300 million easy world wide.

On the more serious side, I wonder if wars will be less protracted when we're fighting over basics like food, water and oxygen instead of borders, oil and religion.

[JU_88]

Yeah I dunno, BTW im not saying our governments would start murdering us out of pleassure, I dont think they would take any pleasure in doing it, rather they would merely do it out of neccesity if it came to the crunch.
IMO our democratically elected left/right governments are all about perception, they like to appear to be doing right by the people for the sake of popularity and ballots, but in reality people are relatively despensible to them, being in government isnt about being nice, its about appearing to be nice.
The truth is they do what they can in order to drag us along with what ever they need or want to do.

In the case of population control, what other option do they have?
Passing chinese style legislation that tells people they cant have kids or can only have x amount, would go down like a lead balloon with the 'free' people of the west - with human rights activists shouting from the roof tops, it would be very difficult to pass such a legistlation and it would be logistically impossible to enforce.
Oh and the particular government in office would probably not ever get re-elected again.
Instigating a war would much much easier for them, Im not saying I think they would do it for the sole purpose of bumping some of us off, but it would be mighty convienient, thats all.


Its a cruel dog eat dog world i guess.

[Skybird]

Hooray and Halleluja.

The global birth rate today is the fundament of tomorrow's mass suffering.

[JU_88]

Originally Posted by Skybird

Hooray and Halleluja.

The global birth rate today is the fundament of tomorrow's mass suffering.

Yup, pretty much.

[MH]

Chinese liberalism is the only hope.

Funny thing is that poorest countries have the biggest population and birth rates.
Give them PlayStation consoles.

[Penguin]

Be fruitful and multiply...


If we start culling, we shouldn't repeat errors of other civilizations and spare the telephone sanitizers!

[Dread Knot]

Originally Posted by MH

Funny thing is that poorest countries have the biggest population and birth rates.
Give them PlayStation consoles.

Better get them electricity and lights first. That would at least help slow down the usual human cure for boredom during a blackout....sex.

[JU_88]

Actually I want the matrix to happen! where they just stick us in capsuals and a compter feeds us an imaginary reality, but with one difference - we get to control that reality oursleves, that would be awesome.
Oh im bored of being a flying space ninja god with 2000 girlfriends, ill think I play silent hunter with real vessels now.

[MH]

Cypher: You know, I know this steak doesn't exist. I know that when I put it in my mouth, the Matrix is telling my brain that it is juicy and delicious. After nine years, you know what I realize?
[Takes a bite of steak]
Cypher: Ignorance is bliss

[Gerald]

Many potential members for SubSim, it is clearly

[Oberon]

Ach...

Yeah...not good news...unless we manage to create matter from energy then we're all royally screwed. Of course, I imagine the Resource wars will start curbing the population before long.

[Karle94]

Speaking on the subject of war as a means to decrease the populaton. During WWII between 60-70 million lost their lives. If someone goes to war, even on a global scale, we`re not gonna get close to those losses. Even WWII losses wouldn`t be enough to alleviate overpopulation. Unless we use nukes. But that would mean extinction.

[JU_88]

Originally Posted by Karle94

Speaking on the subject of war as a means to decrease the populaton. During WWII between 60-70 million lost their lives. If someone goes to war, even on a global scale, we`re not gonna get close to those losses. Even WWII losses wouldn`t be enough to alleviate overpopulation. Unless we use nukes. But that would mean extinction.

Agreed, if we get nukes involved, then it wil be no problem to beat WW2s record. I dont think anyone wants that though, an all out nuclear war would mean there would be pretty much nothing left worth a having on this planet.