We are 7 billion plus (as on Nov 2011) and counting i,e roughly 47 people per square kilometre of earth surface. No doubt it is way too much. But let us give some thoughts on the possible positive side of large population.
1. Innovation
Human mind is an amazing thing. No two of which is same. This quality of uniqueness has contributed immensely in advancement of science, technology and medicine. Increase in population has created new demands and to fulfill these technology has to be updated. 20th century has seen numerous inventions, that was also the time when population accelerated rapidly. The most important invention due to large numbers is computer and allied science. Many unsolved questions particularly in the field of medicine are solved now because previoulsy if one brain was thinking for the solution now ten brains are thinking to solve it.
2. Competition
Something extra, some extra quality is needed to reach few seconds before others in race. Competition is a great motivator. It makes human push the limit a bit further. Competition also removes monopoly and exploitation. Earlier consumers had little choice. They had to be satisfied with what one company sells. Now consumers have choice. The company is owned by the consumers now.
Thse two were the main advantage, other advantages can be derived from these two. True potential of large population can only be realised if freedom is excercised lawfully ,good education and ample resources are available. The last point is important ,namely, resources. Too large population with very less natural resource is like building a computer with very high speed but very less memory. Before concluding the possible advantages of large population lets have a look at India. It is the second most populous country in world (within few years it will be THE MOST populous country). India also happens to be a country with very high population density. But india's medal tally in Olympics (India hardly manages 2 or 3 medals per olympic games) or any event in international level shows that high population neither result in fruitful competition nor in innovation. European countries and Australia though having less population performs much much better in international sports and they also have many Nobel laureates from their country.
Though current generation's living condition has improved compared with their ancestors, there are still many many people on earth whose living conditions are inhuman. The correct way to say is that the gap between the standard of living of rich and poor has increased and it was increasing in the past also. One person's comfort should not be gained from another person's pain. Despite many technological and scientific breakthrough the well being of humans have not reached the level that should be reached. The reason is steep rise of population. Old problems are solved and new problems are created. Its high time countries realize that population growth should be regulated. Unless a person has good food and shelter, he/she would not be able to innovate and/or compete. Seven billion is enough of us. Lets try to stabilize it here itself. There are millions whose lives has to be improved. The well being of the well off also depend on the conditions of others else looting, rioting and civil unrest will result. First of all we must ensure dignified jobs for each and every person on earth so that basic amenities namely food, health benefits, accommodation and education are fulfilled. After that we can go for "Diamond Encrusted Blue-tooth Headset" .
Cause of population explosion (solution lies in the causes) :-
1. Agriculture
Before the advent of modern farm machines, agriculture was done manually. It was a labour intensive job. So a big family was good for the harvest. Now since machineries are available, requirement of people are less. But here also a balance has to be made. Machines need maintenance and consumes resource, so do humans. The choice has to be made as which one is less costly (not monetarily but environmentally).
2. Wild animals
Wild animals were more in numbers and powerfull than humans. So for hunting for food and self defence quite a handful of men were required.
Most of those wild animals are endengered now though.
3. Religion
Most preacher of religion does not encourage birth control. Two possible reasons, a) Aborting a life is like murdering and 2)If a follower of a particular religion does not follow birth control practices and on the contrary produces many off-springs then it is actually good for the preacher as he would have many followers. Abortion though is highly condemnable unless some unavoidable circumstances demands the same. There were indeed birth control methods in ancient times. People seek the help of religion to make their life better, increasing only numbers does not make one religion better than others.
4. Democracy
Population was always increasing but in last 100 years it steeply increased. This was also the time when many nations abandoned authoritarian rule and accepted democratic government. Now democracy is all about numbers. A particular community would never want their numbers to be low compared to other. This race to gain majority is also responsible why governments turn a blind eye towards population control. A sensible person will never give his/her vote based on caste, creed, colour or sex.
5. Old age
Who will take care of us when we grow old? Our children perhaps. What if my only child does not take care of me? Why not have 2 or better three children. Atleast of them will definitely take care of us? It is a moral responsibility for the children to take care of their elderly parents. Government sponsored old age home is a possible solution. The old age home either can run on tax money of the current working population or on the pension money of the retired person.
6. War
20th century saw two world wars among many other wars. War also like democracy is about numbers. Though strategy and weapon types play a significant role is deciding a winner in a battle, a country with large number of soldiers (even with poor planning and weapons) has high psychological boost.
7. The girl child
Many societies due to skewed social norms think a girl to be a burden just because historically woman take care of the house and does not earn. In India there is a tradition of dowry in may society in which the girl's father has to give wealth to the bridegroom's family. These has encouraged parents to conceive for 2nd or 3rd time unless a boy is born. These has also encouraged parents to go for female infanticide. Equality of men and women in all respects will solve this issue.
8. Industry
Almost all banking, finance and insurance companies' business model is solely based on the fact that population is ever increasing. In fact all corporation works on the underlying principle that that population is increasing. The more in increases the better the profit margin. More humans means cost of labour is less.
Further population is simply unsustainable. We have to mine moon or some other planets for resources. If life is possible then definitely people are going to live there also. Until that happen let us have small family.
1. Innovation
Human mind is an amazing thing. No two of which is same. This quality of uniqueness has contributed immensely in advancement of science, technology and medicine. Increase in population has created new demands and to fulfill these technology has to be updated. 20th century has seen numerous inventions, that was also the time when population accelerated rapidly. The most important invention due to large numbers is computer and allied science. Many unsolved questions particularly in the field of medicine are solved now because previoulsy if one brain was thinking for the solution now ten brains are thinking to solve it.
2. Competition
Something extra, some extra quality is needed to reach few seconds before others in race. Competition is a great motivator. It makes human push the limit a bit further. Competition also removes monopoly and exploitation. Earlier consumers had little choice. They had to be satisfied with what one company sells. Now consumers have choice. The company is owned by the consumers now.
Thse two were the main advantage, other advantages can be derived from these two. True potential of large population can only be realised if freedom is excercised lawfully ,good education and ample resources are available. The last point is important ,namely, resources. Too large population with very less natural resource is like building a computer with very high speed but very less memory. Before concluding the possible advantages of large population lets have a look at India. It is the second most populous country in world (within few years it will be THE MOST populous country). India also happens to be a country with very high population density. But india's medal tally in Olympics (India hardly manages 2 or 3 medals per olympic games) or any event in international level shows that high population neither result in fruitful competition nor in innovation. European countries and Australia though having less population performs much much better in international sports and they also have many Nobel laureates from their country.
Though current generation's living condition has improved compared with their ancestors, there are still many many people on earth whose living conditions are inhuman. The correct way to say is that the gap between the standard of living of rich and poor has increased and it was increasing in the past also. One person's comfort should not be gained from another person's pain. Despite many technological and scientific breakthrough the well being of humans have not reached the level that should be reached. The reason is steep rise of population. Old problems are solved and new problems are created. Its high time countries realize that population growth should be regulated. Unless a person has good food and shelter, he/she would not be able to innovate and/or compete. Seven billion is enough of us. Lets try to stabilize it here itself. There are millions whose lives has to be improved. The well being of the well off also depend on the conditions of others else looting, rioting and civil unrest will result. First of all we must ensure dignified jobs for each and every person on earth so that basic amenities namely food, health benefits, accommodation and education are fulfilled. After that we can go for "Diamond Encrusted Blue-tooth Headset" .
Cause of population explosion (solution lies in the causes) :-
1. Agriculture
Before the advent of modern farm machines, agriculture was done manually. It was a labour intensive job. So a big family was good for the harvest. Now since machineries are available, requirement of people are less. But here also a balance has to be made. Machines need maintenance and consumes resource, so do humans. The choice has to be made as which one is less costly (not monetarily but environmentally).
2. Wild animals
Wild animals were more in numbers and powerfull than humans. So for hunting for food and self defence quite a handful of men were required.
Most of those wild animals are endengered now though.
3. Religion
Most preacher of religion does not encourage birth control. Two possible reasons, a) Aborting a life is like murdering and 2)If a follower of a particular religion does not follow birth control practices and on the contrary produces many off-springs then it is actually good for the preacher as he would have many followers. Abortion though is highly condemnable unless some unavoidable circumstances demands the same. There were indeed birth control methods in ancient times. People seek the help of religion to make their life better, increasing only numbers does not make one religion better than others.
4. Democracy
Population was always increasing but in last 100 years it steeply increased. This was also the time when many nations abandoned authoritarian rule and accepted democratic government. Now democracy is all about numbers. A particular community would never want their numbers to be low compared to other. This race to gain majority is also responsible why governments turn a blind eye towards population control. A sensible person will never give his/her vote based on caste, creed, colour or sex.
5. Old age
Who will take care of us when we grow old? Our children perhaps. What if my only child does not take care of me? Why not have 2 or better three children. Atleast of them will definitely take care of us? It is a moral responsibility for the children to take care of their elderly parents. Government sponsored old age home is a possible solution. The old age home either can run on tax money of the current working population or on the pension money of the retired person.
6. War
20th century saw two world wars among many other wars. War also like democracy is about numbers. Though strategy and weapon types play a significant role is deciding a winner in a battle, a country with large number of soldiers (even with poor planning and weapons) has high psychological boost.
7. The girl child
Many societies due to skewed social norms think a girl to be a burden just because historically woman take care of the house and does not earn. In India there is a tradition of dowry in may society in which the girl's father has to give wealth to the bridegroom's family. These has encouraged parents to conceive for 2nd or 3rd time unless a boy is born. These has also encouraged parents to go for female infanticide. Equality of men and women in all respects will solve this issue.
8. Industry
Almost all banking, finance and insurance companies' business model is solely based on the fact that population is ever increasing. In fact all corporation works on the underlying principle that that population is increasing. The more in increases the better the profit margin. More humans means cost of labour is less.
Further population is simply unsustainable. We have to mine moon or some other planets for resources. If life is possible then definitely people are going to live there also. Until that happen let us have small family.
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