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Re: The Limits To Growth
Just a few thoughts inspired by lurking in this thread.
1. Lurking in a thread is uncomfortable.
2. Fishing in the oceans has undergone enormous technological
advancement. From poles - one fish at a time - to enormous
seines that sweep miles of the ocean from great factory ships.
A far greater technological advance than bigger chickens in
bigger barns. It was only a few decades ago that even tuna
were being caught by men with poles on the deck of the boat.
3. The posts in this thread are by people who do not play poker.
Poker players know that there are two considerations, not
alone the ODDS. Tbe other consideration in placing a bet
is the STAKE -- what might be lost as well as what might be
won. What is at stake in the limits to growth is life on the
planet as we know it. Should we play the game if the odds are
even 5000 to 1 that there is no limit in sight? Think a moment.
What odds are good enough?
4. The acidity of the "no limits" posters is not buffered by
the fact that the worriers may have some points and may, by
their anti-Pollyanna program be a major factor in postponing
the time of reckoning.
5. Human nature is being ignored. Human events in the daily
papers are not instructing. History is being forgotten.
Consider the stress of population crowding --and there IS stress --
ask any New Yorker or read the experiments with rats and the
observations of overcrowded zoo monkeys. Consider the fact of
tribal warfare (Bosnia, Rwanda, Azerbaijan, East Timor, Los Angeles).
Consider the proclivity of humans to follow demagogues (Hitler, Milosovic,
Mussolini, Napolean -- name your favorite).
It is the nature of technologists to ignore human nature - at the peril
of all of us. In a world of ideal humans, resources would be shared fairly
and without the need for warfare. In a world of ideal humans, resources
would be developed timely for the need. In a world of ideal humans, all
things would be possible. That world does not exist.
Mason Clarkl
Mason A. Clark masonc@ix.netcom.com
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