There is a silent aspect of civilizational decline: a marked fall in population numbers. I write silent deliberately, as it happens in the background without too many of us taking notice, or realizing the gravity of the situation. When talking about the collapse of civilizations, most people envision mass casualty events (famine, war, natural disasters), wiping out half of the population in almost an instant. Sure enough, this looks both terrifying and extremely powerful in Hollywood movies, but nothing could be further from the truth. Especially not when it comes to our modern civilization, and its unfolding demise. A radically different world is unfolding in front of our eyes, and we are not the least prepared.
You really lost me with this one. Depopulation is about the only good thing happening in the world. Economic growth based on population growth is a Ponzi scheme. The sooner it ends, the better.
The population bomb is still exploding. During the next 50 years the population of Nigeria will increase from 220 million to 580, Congo from 100 to 290 million. As you have explained very well in earlier articles, they will not have sufficient energy and resources to feed that population increase, and wars, civil unrest and climate change will make millions migrate. A likely destination will be Europe, where the aging Europeans will be replaced by young, starving Africans. After that we might see the impact of a depopulation bomb. For my part Iām hoping for a future world with one billion inhabitants instead of eight, such a planet might be sustainable.
There is little incentive to train to do the hard physical jobs that need doing. In the past it was a sacrifice men accepted in exchange for having the money to support a family. Now the mentality of many people (myself included) is very different. I myself am living more for the present especially when I know how bleak the future will get. People will accept sacrifices if they have something to believe in but the emptiness of modernity discourages this.
Thanks B. Looking through the comments it seems like maybe 25% get that this has implications for their own lives which will be difficult and likely unpleasant. That's not to say that there is something "wrong with reality", to lay out what is happening, and the unpleasant implications.
There are other possible futures, and you have been carful not to predict too many specifics, other than what are apparent from thermoceconomics, demographics and the costs of extraction of oil, coal, iron ore and copper, for instance.
You really lost me with this one. Depopulation is about the only good thing happening in the world. Economic growth based on population growth is a Ponzi scheme. The sooner it ends, the better.
At some point - a straw will be placed on the back of BAU - and it will implode into a trillion pieces
Fortunately -- that won't happen -- cuz we are being exterminated
https://www.headsupster.com/forumthread?shortId=220
The population bomb is still exploding. During the next 50 years the population of Nigeria will increase from 220 million to 580, Congo from 100 to 290 million. As you have explained very well in earlier articles, they will not have sufficient energy and resources to feed that population increase, and wars, civil unrest and climate change will make millions migrate. A likely destination will be Europe, where the aging Europeans will be replaced by young, starving Africans. After that we might see the impact of a depopulation bomb. For my part Iām hoping for a future world with one billion inhabitants instead of eight, such a planet might be sustainable.
There is little incentive to train to do the hard physical jobs that need doing. In the past it was a sacrifice men accepted in exchange for having the money to support a family. Now the mentality of many people (myself included) is very different. I myself am living more for the present especially when I know how bleak the future will get. People will accept sacrifices if they have something to believe in but the emptiness of modernity discourages this.
Thank you Bš
Lovely synthesis.
Thanks B. Looking through the comments it seems like maybe 25% get that this has implications for their own lives which will be difficult and likely unpleasant. That's not to say that there is something "wrong with reality", to lay out what is happening, and the unpleasant implications.
There are other possible futures, and you have been carful not to predict too many specifics, other than what are apparent from thermoceconomics, demographics and the costs of extraction of oil, coal, iron ore and copper, for instance.
Nice work. "Interesting times."
;-(
Really fine article. Thank you!