X-Message-Number: 5775 From: (Thomas Donaldson) Subject: Re: CryoNet #5475 - #5482 Date: Tue, 20 Feb 1996 11:12:15 -0800 (PST) Hi! A VERY LATE COMMENT ON P.MEREL'S POSTING RE ECOLOGICAL EXHAUSTION OF THE EARTH: I note that the people who make these predictions specifically exclude not just technology but other factors too, such as warfare. To do that basically turns their predictions into meaninglessness. Yes, our technology will improve, thus increasing both our ability to use matter and our ability to use it efficiently. Someday basic foods will be constructed in factories, for instance. That day may even be nearer than we think; and thus the amount of land will become unimportant. (I'm not talking about what would be nice but what might happen -- and if there is land, I'm sure that there will still be farms, to produce very high-priced food for those who can afford it). Second, although it isn't a pleasant thought, what generally happens when such problems arise is that the poorest people, and those least prepared, get shoved off the boat. Others will continue their lives. This will, of course, be a very ugly and upsetting process, but despite all that I would prefer to be the among those who survive. As for such things as weaponry, the poor almost by definition aren't in a position to get the latest weapons --- and guerilla war only succeeds by wearing away its opponents. (I note that if it is a matter of their own survival those opponents are going to be very hard to wear away). In short, what would happen worst case is not that we would lose our knowledge and technology, but that lots of people would be murdered to maintain the lifestyle of a few. People just don't work the way these doomcriers say, whether that is good or bad. But seriously, I'm actually a lot more optimistic about the technological option --- despite all kinds of issues, such as the obvious one that many of these doomcriers specifically WILL NOT accept any new technology, and try their darndest in the political arena to prevent its development. (Nuclear power in the US is a good example). Best and long long life, Thomas Donaldson Rate This Message: http://www.cryonet.org/cgi-bin/rate.cgi?msg=5775