Neat summary, Cheryl.

>>...one senses that the anti-pops need, for psychological reasons, to campaign against people.<<

I have often wondered why they are so vociferous. One somewhat uncharitable view, that I probably formed while feeling particularly hungover, was that they have so little purpose in their own lives, that they feel a constant urge to try to blight everyone else's.

And of course, it is always other people who have to take action, isn't it? I have yet to hear anyone volunteering to make even the tiniest gesture towards solving the problem themselves - like, reducing the world's population by one.

Just one. That's not too much to ask, is it?

Cheryl, aka Malcolm, seems obsessed with population. He says: "I wonder ... whether our schools are churning out graduates who confuse debate with a sense of entitlement to construct the most silly arguments and then howl when people don't listen." In other posts, his views seem reasonable, rational, even charitable. But when the issue of population is raised, he abandons rationality and proceeds to construct silly arguments, and howls when people don't listen. However even he must have noticed that this planet is not a magic pudding. Resources are finite, and demand is growing exponentially. Refusing to think about the issue, refusing even to acknowledge that there is an issue, is not a rational response. His cheap sneers don't contribute much.

*I have yet to hear anyone volunteering to make even the tiniest gesture towards solving the problem themselves - like, reducing the world's population by one.*

Now now Pericles, for an intelligent bloke like yourself, that
is a rather pissy and ridiculous argument and you know it.

If others are breeding like rabbits, so be it. It will be their
grandkids who can sort out the mess and die like flies if they must.

The planet will keep spinning, with or without humans on board.

The last thing anyone can demand is we condemn people to exist in the circumstances of their birth.

Col rouge, if these people remained in their country and had the same aim as what our great founders of this country did, worked hard with what they had, then maybe their circumstances would not be as dire as it is.
They may not have the same as what we have but Im sure with a bit of effort they would have better that what they have now.
Most that come here are the sort that want it easy without effort, else why come?
Over poupulation in countries makes for repressive, degenerative and corrupt systems, look around now.
China and India some of the worst human rights
USA and Russia some of the most aggressive
All religious groups only have one agenda and thats world domination.
Why do we need do anything, it will be self repairing through starvation,disease,war all are nice ways to go.

I find myself agreeing with Yabby.

Must've entered an alternative universe.

Asking humans to stop breeding is like persuading cockatoos to quite demolishing my verandah. Just ain't natural behaviour.

Always interesting to watch the neo-Malthusian eugenicists swarm out of the woodwork.

Especially interesting to observe their overt endorsement of fascist policies.

Oh, but of course, they insist, no-one is talking about *culling* anyone. No-one ever does. The may not even *really* be thinking about it ... at first.

But, step by step, increment by increment, as their utopian dreams prove eternally elusive, the fascists wields their power ever more nakedly and brutally.

But always, always, for 'the greater good'.

'Of all tyrannies a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It may be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron’s cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated; but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience. They may be more likely to go to Heaven yet at the same time likelier to make a Hell of earth' - C. S. Lewis.

One last word: if you truly believe what you say, Everald and your fellow travellers, well, you first. Put your money where your mouths are.