Would depopulating the Earth be such a bad thing?

[Nakura Chambers]

As terrible as it may sound, the world would be a better place if a few billion people died off. I'm not saying we should commit genocide or anything, merely pointing this out. Do you think we would be better or worse off with a more sustainable populace?

[haaku]

And how would these billions die? War?

[Gemini Sunrise]

Uhhh... Probably.

I'd say birth licenses would probably be a better way of controlling the population (of course, that sort of system depends on making a worldwide alliance- good luck with that shit).

[Nakura Chambers]

And how would these billions die? War?

War, disease, mass starvation, etc.

Pick your poison.

[Faesroll]

We'll just end up reproducing again, might take a few hundred years but eventually you'll have 7+ billion people again. I don't see why this is necessary though, the world can sustain a whole lot more people than we have now.

[Nakura Chambers]

Uhhh... Probably.

I'd say birth licenses would probably be a better way of controlling the population (of course, that sort of system depends on making a worldwide alliance- good luck with that shit).

Agreed. In order to receive a birth license, you would have to take a series of tests to prove that you're intelligent enough to breed.

[Reg]

The current population already is sustainable. From what I recall, the US alone produces (or can produce) enough food to feed something like 10 billion people. It's just profit became more important than compassion.

[N-7]

The Earth can still have more people and is nowhere full in either capacity or essential resources.

[Rukentuts]

Agreed. In order to receive a birth license, you would have to take a series of tests to prove that you're intelligent enough to breed.

Conservatives: Stalwart defenders of personal liberty.

---------- Post added 2013-05-16 at 01:03 PM ----------

The current population already is sustainable. From what I recall, the US alone produces (or can produce) enough food to feed something like 10 billion people. It's just profit became more important than compassion.

The Earth can hold about 60 billion.

[Deleted]

Conservatives: Stalwart defenders of personal liberty.

That gave me a good laugh, well caught Ruken.

[Son of Lothar]

As terrible as it may sound, the world would be a better place if a few billion people died off. I'm not saying we should commit genocide or anything, merely pointing this out. Do you think we would be better or worse off with a more sustainable populace?

Would you be willing to be part of that "few billion"?

[Agoonga]

The Earth would be better off with smarter, more considerate people.

[WeaponXAnimosity]

Yes because by what criteria would we select someone to die? You may think it would be justified to simply kill the ones who committed crimes but if it became a reality that choosing who to die is valid, there'd be nothing to stop someone from saying those you love should suffer the same fate. Once that door of legal choice is open, you just become another unsuspecting victim for someone else.

[Nakura Chambers]

Conservatives: Stalwart defenders of personal liberty.

Good thing I'm a moderate then.

We should also return to an agrarian society.

[Gemini Sunrise]

The Earth can hold about 60 billion.

Are we talking about absolute max capacity, or that it can hold that much comfortably? (I'm really not sure)

[Rukentuts]

Are we talking about absolute max capacity, or that it can hold that much comfortably? (I'm really not sure)

I'm talking resource-wise.

---------- Post added 2013-05-16 at 01:08 PM ----------

Good thing I'm a moderate then.

We should also return to an agrarian society.

No, you're really not. You're a reactionary, a stalwart authoritarian.

[looorg]

How do you plan on enforcing this "birth license"? Like China does/did it? Are you going to fine people that don't apply? What about accidental pregnancies? Forced abortions? Prison? Will there be a growing portion of the population living in some kinda of parallell society where they remained unregistered? How are we going to get the whole world to subscribe to that idea. Will the man or woman apply or will it be a married couples thing only? If I as a man impregnate two women have they used up their license but mine is still vaild or? How did you imagine that this birth license would work, or was it just a test that you pass and then you can go about breeding like bunnies?

[Gemini Sunrise]

I'm talking resource-wise.

Alright, that's what I thought you were talking about, but wanted to be sure.

[Deleted]

Sure,everyone who thinks world would be better with less people,can start with themselves.

[Lenonis]

From a completely abstract perspective sure, the earth would be better off with fewer people. However having to end lives to accomplish that goal isn't good. If people just had fewer kids overall and we just naturally reduced the population over time that's fine.

People who are saying that the earth can support more seem to be turning a blind eye to the resource disparity in countries and the fact that just because there is enough good to feed everyone doesn't mean they have access to it.