(no subject)

[austin_tycho]

And here is a very depressing column whose conclusion I cannot refute. He may be off on his numbers, but his basic conclusion- capitalism is going to fuck us all sooner or later (and probably sooner) rings true.

Comments

[theshadowsouled.livejournal.com]

I can argue against some of the points... mostly that the quality of life peaked in the US in 1968. It's a bit higher than it was then. And overall pollution is down, believe it or not (due to strenuous controls and advancements in technology)

But other than that... it's true, we're overusing the worlds resourses. Greatly overusing.

I also think it'll take a little longer than 10 years for consumption of oil to overrun supply. Once again due to more strenuous controls and tech advancements.

But, in general, I do agree with his overall point. In fact, in many ways it would be better if his predicted crash came sooner... then it wouldn't be as "big". It would be more easily recoverable.

I also agree that it's almost a given that not much will be done until it's far too late.

[mielikki.livejournal.com]

Yeah, it's like I said- his numbers may be off, but his conclusion seems sound. Daniel Quinn likens it to the lot of us in a boat heading down a river that eventually will pitch us over a cliff, and most of us are sitting in the boat not paying any attention to where we're going. When someone does look and sees where we're headed and mentions it, the others try to shut him up, dismiss him or place rocks and sticks in the river to try to change it's course, with pretty much no effect at all. Blar!

[theshadowsouled.livejournal.com]

A boat in the river of Time.

It would be veryy interesting to see the collapse when it does come. But, if it does happen in my lifetime, I hope to be already very well off. I certainly wouldn't want to be in the thick of it.

[mielikki.livejournal.com]

Me either. The thing that gets me is the thought that there will be tremendous suffering, and we didn't listen to the people that told us beforehand how we could have prevented it. Something that doesn't bear dwelling on. :P

[ambuelai.livejournal.com]

**a man named David Roucek, wrote to inform me that the problem is the result of people "breeding indiscriminately ... When a woman has displayed evidence that she totally disregards the welfare of her offspring by continuing to breed children she cannot support, she has committed a crime and must be punished. The punishment? She must be sterilised to prevent her from perpetrating her crimes upon more innocent children." **


I'm wondering just what 'evidence' he would consider as proving a woman disregards the welfare of her children and cannot support them. Is he thinking emotionally or financially I wonder?
And what right does he believe anyone has to decide whether or not any woman should be able to have children should she wish to?

I know this wasn't the focus of your original post but that particular part of the article got my attention (being a mother and all).

[mielikki.livejournal.com]

He is probably thinking financially. If a mother cannot feed her existing children without help from the state, she has no reason bearing more is how this sort of thinking goes. He believes he has a right to dictate another's reproductive status because his tax dollars (in theory) are spent to support the children. This sort of assumes the state pays scads of money to welfare moms, which is certainly not the case in Texas. I am a ZPG kinda gal, and I agree that people should have a lot fewer children, but not because I begrudge the cost of welfare. We lose a lot more money from giving corporations tax breaks than we spend on welfare.

[ambuelai.livejournal.com]

If his objection is financial then he would have a hard time accepting anyone having children in england ;-)
In this country all families are automatically entitled to a thing called 'child benefit' which is paid by the state for every child up to the age of 16 (19 in higher education).

[mielikki.livejournal.com]

Yes, that would be seen as socialist and therefore evil by many Americans. Not that I necessarily agree with it either, but for different reasons. :)