Divergence: You and your comrades have very serious problems of cognition and analysis. It's so appalling it should prompt pointed inquiries into just what has happened throughout our education system. That's quite aside from my yet more serious and more immediate concerns about the fascistic implications of the neo-Malthusian stupor that has infiltrated mainstream politics nowadays.

What other superficial inferences could you draw from such sweeping economic trends? Predominance of certain skin colors? Percentages of certain religious affiliations? Language groups? Trends in consumption of certain food groups? Lack or frequency of viagra consumption? Preferences in viewing of TV soap operas? Or how about some real causal significance in, say, conspicuous statistical differences on children's enjoyment of Pokemon toys?

You should be embarrassed at having revealed such sloppy thinking. I haven't seen that kind of way-out bow-drawing since the efforts of OLO Malthusian stalwart daggett, who is still recovering in the bilges of the Vogons' intergalactic cruiser “Nexus 9”, currently moored off Saturn.

The following has been sent to the moderator concerning Mil-observer. If anyone agrees with me then please do likewise.

I think the time has come for this person to be excluded from the OLO Forum for a while. His bile has become too much for reasonable people to have to put up with. It seems that anyone with a contrary opinion is abused with language which in no way can be described as temperate.

I hope you give this missive very much consideration.

David

"Modern civilization is confronted by an unprecedented
slow but potentially dire crisis. Unfortunately, those
most responsible are sheltered by their wealth from
experiencing the early consequences and are disinclined
to respond effectively to the mounting threat.
Instead, as humans have always done, they hide
behind socially constructed myths that entrench the
status quo. The mainstream assumes we can resolve
the sustainability conundrum through improved technology,
increased factor productivity (material efficiency)
and market forces alone. Politicians and
ordinary citizens fear that policies that would effectively
mitigate ecological degradation would slow
economic growth. However, if the best science is
correct, this argument is irrelevant – the consequences
of climate change and ecosystems collapse themselves
will not only slow growth, but also could well
destroy the economy. As noted, society seems ‘in
flight from thinking’."

-- William Rees, 2009

Divergence, I am eternally grateful for your quite incredibly patronizing advice.

But quite apart from its tone, it encapsulates so very neatly a common disability, which is to see the issues involved as anything more complex than mops and buckets.

I note with some glee that you employ, shamelessly and without irony, the phrase "we need some government action as well".

Well of course you do. Nanny will look after, never you fear.

And what would you have Nanny do for you in this instance?

1. Stop those nasty foreigners from coming here... "[cut] immigration back to a responsible level", as you put it.

2. Eliminate family allowances... "stop bribing people to have babies". I presume you are also against parental leave? That will make you even more unpopular - and not with rich people, of course, who couldn't give a toss.

3. Introduce more government censorship... "put some restraints on advertising". Hmmm. Is it just me, or does this sound like a police state in the making?

4. Tax things that are inconsistent with growing strong, Aryan bodies... "tax the most damaging forms of consumption to prevent the consumers from externalising the environmental and social costs". Oh, sorry, was that a little over the top? I meant inconsistent with healthy, wholesome outcomes.

5. Take centralized control of the means of production... "impose some minimum efficiency and durability standards (to eliminate planned obsolescence)."

Your world sounds such an exciting place to live, Divergence.

I can't wait for you to become our dear leader, and in the footsteps of that other Great Leader, "help us build our country, our motherland, to be ever more prosperous, following the leadership of the great Party."

http://biodiversityfirst.googlepages.com/

This can't be true from Tim the writer of this article surely. But it is. Check out his blog.

"Earth's human population is over 10 times what is optimal"

"Governments worldwide should offer males and females generous compensation for getting sterilized"

"If fines were issued and privileges were revoked for reproducing, reproduction would decline."

"Broadcasters funded by taxation (eg: Australian Broadcasting Corporation, British Broadcasting Corporation, Canadian Broadcasting Corporation) should be shut down if they continue to exclude and censor the overpopulation reality"

Uber Alles Australia anyone?

Contrary to what some say, these Unpeople are Ungreen and unelectable. But of course they don't believe in democracy, markets (except veggie markets on Sundays), or even providing information such as - just how bloody small do you want Australia's and the world's population to be?

"Incredibly patronizing", ha ha, good one Pericles.