We Don't Need More of Us

I was just enjoying an RWorld posting about updating our education process. Ron called for increased use of computerized learning tools, more individual attention for students who need specific help, and a new concern for linking education with life opportunities. I couldn't agree more. However, Ron concluded that we might end up with as many teachers as we now have. I don't think so. In fact, I don't think the world needs anywhere near as many of us humans as now exist.

The U. N. just concluded that by 2050 the world will have 9 billion people, up 2.5 billion from the 6.5 billion of us now alive. Can we really let this happen? I hope not.

If you watch such programs as "How It's Made", you know that mass production techniques have eliminated the great majority of jobs that humans once performed. The world will never again be able to provide employment for most humans unless "employment" is redefined. Moreover, the world will need to devise new paradigms for social politics, energy conservation and housing if we are to avoid ruining the environment by overuse. Moving forward on population control makes sense until, and unless, these new paradigms are established.

I predict we will not have 9 million humans on earth until at least the year 2100, if ever. If our population continues to grow at the predicted rate, a combination of catastrophic climate change, disease, and war will take perform the population control we were unwilling to do on our own. That will be very messy.