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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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