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The Forum > Article Comments > The captive self > Comments

The captive self : Comments

By John Töns, published 7/4/2010

Humans are just as much captives as animals in a zoo. Should our systems fail us then we are headed for an uncertain future.

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In 2011 we will have our very first population policy for Australia. No doubt it will use sophisticated peer-reviewed economic and environmental modelling from which certain outcomes can be predicted within a margin of variation.

The aim is to get a better handle on our 'carrying capacity' for people. Has the driest continent on Earth got an optimal population level? Can we comfortably sustain our quality of life with our nations (fast depleting) natural resources? If so what is it?

Our current growth rate is the fastest in the developed world. For the past few decades, skilled migration has been on an auto-pilot setting, but that may change soon after the first population policy is released.

Hopefully population modelling will give our leaders some useful insights and trends: Are we are heading into a national collapse or have we nothing to worry about ..... until we reach a population of 36 million?

Could we survive if the predicted global collapse really does occur at around 2050 assuming the world's population continues to grow exponentially from where it is now? Perhaps we should give thought to helping neighbouring nations with the population modelling to assist them in setting their population policies.

Looking back from 2050, the one child policy may seem a conservative and humane approach compared to the harsh alternatives that nature and populations in desperation throw at us.
Posted by Quick response, Wednesday, 7 April 2010 3:30:33 PM
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John Tons
You do realise, don't you, that growing one's own food, making one's own house, making one's own clothes etc. uses up more resources per unit of output, than obtaining these things by buying them from operations that enjoy economies of scale? For some reason, that appears to be pure romanticism, many environmentalists seem to think it would be better for the environment if we use more natural resources to acheive the same end result.

Also the difference between zoo animals and human beings is that humans are not zoo animals with owners; and it is a mistake to think that governments have, could have, or should have the role of owners. That is the philosophy of the animal farm.
Posted by Peter Hume, Wednesday, 7 April 2010 4:04:59 PM
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The author has a point. Too many animals or humans equals fights and lower standards.

However, rather than live like a hippy and grow herbs, I would prefer fewer people in the world, and certainly fewer in Australia.
Posted by Leigh, Wednesday, 7 April 2010 4:12:12 PM
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Nice one john,
the zoo analogy is another way of looking at the future.
And our future will be very exciting as we discover that our lives depend upon cheap abundant oil.

Looking back at all history, it is clear that humanity expanded when there was plenty to eat then reversed when not. It is a good aim to avoid this 'normal' situation of the past. I mean war and starvation.

John would do well to get that arable land into production quickly. :)
Posted by Michael Dw, Wednesday, 7 April 2010 4:26:54 PM
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I read that CSIRO report referred to by BAYGON. It is simply ridiculous. The Club of Rome projections were for things to get better before the general collapse around the middle of this Century due to the exhaustion of minerals ect.. The report finds that everything has been getting better since 1972 so therefore the Club of Rome projections must be right! If you don't believe me read it for yourself. The fact that the author works for CSIRO does not mean the report has valdiity, it means that the organisation is producing ridiculous reports. There is no reason to suspect resource shortages either now or in the future, even in petroleum. Although there may be more price spikes to come they will be due to a lack of production capacity, not resource shortage.
Posted by Curmudgeon, Wednesday, 7 April 2010 5:45:24 PM
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So nice that Curmudgeon still has the recipe for the magic pudding.
Posted by BAYGON, Wednesday, 7 April 2010 6:08:30 PM
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