Congrats Fiona !

A terrific distillation of the current bungling policies on population.

The billions invested in more of our plague animal species....an investment in pollution.........could have been spent on research into emerging technologies, health, free tertiary education and appropriate family planning foreign aid. This is the "opportunity cost" of population growth.

Cheers,

Ralph

Patronizing? Moi?

>>Never mind Pericles the Patronizing - if he was my father I'd move into an orphanage.<<

It is impressive that I seem to have motivated some members of Fiona's fan club to sign up for OLO, simply to reassure her that she is simply tops, the bee's knees, the greatest intellect since whenever etc. etc.

But you're not helping.

Praise simply because you want to encourage someone is not praise at all. In fact, it is somewhat insulting.

"...people are trained to use praise as reward, as a manipulation to get people to do what they want... In a family, we are taught that if you praise and compliment children daily, they are more likely to do what you want. Teachers do the same in school to get children to work more. And managers in industry are trained to do this, showing them how to use praise and compliments as rewards."

http://www.noogenesis.com/malama/encouragement.html

I guess this gives Fiona a choice. Would she rather perceive herself as being patronized, or would she prefer to be manipulated by a bunch of people who want her to continue to think the way they do, as opposed to think for herself.

Most people like to continue to learn, and to take on new ideas and new perspectives as they find out more about the world. You may consider that to draw her attention to some of the pitfalls that lie ahead, should she continue to ignore the aspects of the world that she dislikes, is patronizing.

I'd like to think she is smarter than that.

Fiona, I just finished reading your eBook and you are to be congratulated on the thoroughness of your research. It should be required reading for all politicians. No doubt the people who are watching the "Go back where you came from" documentary on SBS tonight will take issue with you about some parts to do with immigration, but I think that you presented a very balanced case for a reduction.

OLO readers are at present divide 14 to 6 in your favour. Even with such a small sample, I would suggest that this possibly represents the feelings of the Australian population as a whole. Keep up the good work.

David

So by your logic, Pericles, if Fiona gets a positive comment she's being manipulated and if she gets a negative comment she's being taught how to think for herself. Got that? Patronizing just doesn't do it justice.

And FYI Fiona, only two new people have signed up to this debate, and I'm one of them, so the positive feedback is not coming from anyone you know.

Cheers

Very well done Fiona . Don't be discouraged by the sleepwalking majority. Very refreshing to see the younger generation who are not brainwashed by the enormous growthist mob .
wild

People who have followed this issue online in Australia over the last few years may have seen my comments here and there so I can hardly be accused of being a ring-in or fanboy.

I think you write well Fiona. You have drawn on a diverse range of research and coalesced the material into a coherent and very readable article. I wouldn't pay particular attention to your age other than to say that I've had strong convictions on various social and environmental issues but it still took me years to 'join the dots' regarding the importance of population growth as the critical issue even though it was plain as the nose on my face. It takes a keen intellect to avoid distraction and zero in on the key issue.

Judging by the comments from imperious, paternalistic and condescending twits, I'd say you've ruffled a few feathers with your effort. Well done. It is a useful resource for challenging the dogma and propaganda of pro-growthers and "Big Australia" boosters.