Discussion Overpopulation

[tercermundista]

With advances in AI and robotics, it's increasingly clear that there are too many people on the planet and that the future will be much worse. So why is there so much concern about declining birth rates, suicide, and abortion, and why aren't laws allowing for assisted dying passed?

Sorry for my bad english

 

[wham311]

With advances in AI and robotics, it's increasingly clear that there are too many people on the planet and that the future will be much worse. So why is there so much concern about declining birth rates, suicide, and abortion, and why aren't laws allowing for assisted dying passed?

Sorry for my bad english

Because everyone thinks of their mom who attempted or depressed brother and doesn't want to lose them, so they restrict the option.

 

[DivineSpark]

Here's how a demographic collapse might contribute to a dystopian society
1. Fear and Control:

• A sharp decline in births could trigger widespread fear and anxiety about the survival of the species or a particular society.
  
  
• This fear could lead to desperate measures, including strict population control policies, forced reproduction, or even violence against those perceived as "undesirable".
  
  
• Governments or powerful groups might exploit this fear to consolidate power and implement authoritarian control, restricting individual liberties in the name of preserving the population.
  

2. Economic Instability:

• A shrinking workforce could lead to economic decline, with fewer people to produce goods and services, pay taxes, and support social security systems.
  
  
• This economic instability could create social unrest, exacerbate inequality, and lead to the collapse of essential services.
  
  
• In such a scenario, dystopian societies could emerge with a stark divide between the privileged few who maintain a high standard of living and the masses struggling to survive.
  

3. Erosion of Social Structures:

• A demographic collapse could strain traditional family structures, leading to social isolation and a decline in community bonds.
  
  
• The breakdown of social support systems could create a sense of alienation and vulnerability, making individuals more susceptible to manipulation and control.
  
  
• Dystopian societies might arise where individuality is suppressed, and conformity is enforced to maintain order in a society facing social disintegration.
  

4. Technological Solutions and Control:

• In some dystopian narratives, technology is presented as a potential solution to demographic decline, with advancements like genetic engineering or artificial wombs.
  
  
• However, these technologies could also be used to further control reproduction and reinforce social hierarchies, creating a dystopian future where individuality is sacrificed for the sake of societal survival.

 

[JesiBel]

Overpopulation? I don't know. In most countries, due to economic reasons and long working hours, it's increasingly impossible to create and raise a family. Because it requires money and time, things that are in short supply these days.

The fewer exploitable people there are, the further away we will be from achieving euthanasia. Money is made from the living, and keeping them as slaves in the system.

 

[WatchmeBurn]

We produce enough to look after everyone, it's just a matter of distribution.

There is no Malthusian economic logic in the world economy, and the vast majority of climate change emissions come from a tiny number of producers.

Rather, it's an issue of how value is distributed (capitalism), how and what we consume (capitalism, materialist culture), and the composition of labour such that a lot of jobs are just bullshit for the purpose of capital accumulation for its own sake (again, capitalism).

 

[whywere]

Humans have always had a love/hate relationship with themselves and always will.

Be it war, pollution, over population and the list goes on we continue to always try and screw up so much.

Over population will be a constant issue in the future, as tech and other aspects come online.

I am 69 and never had kids and I get that question each and every day "why did you not have 4, 5, 6 or more kids?" I have been told to my face "Are you gay since you have no kids" for real and so many other insults.

I will not be around, but I truly wonder what the future holds for a planet that is already brimming with too many?

I truly hope that space travel and colonizing other plants comes about to take the pressure off of the planet and environment.

Walter

 

[ObsidianEnigma]

Germany has had fertility rates below the replacement level for more than 50 years, and it hasn't been a problem.

One possible explanation for the drive for higher fertility is that more people mean a more numerous labor force (which leads to lower salaries) and more demand (which leads to higher profits). It is in the interest of people who own businesses, corporations, and land to have more people available. It makes them money.

 

[tercermundista]

Germany has had fertility rates below the replacement level for more than 50 years, and it hasn't been a problem.

One possible explanation for the drive for higher fertility is that more people mean a more numerous labor force (which leads to lower salaries) and more demand (which leads to higher profits). It is in the interest of people who own businesses, corporations, and land to have more people available. It makes them money.

Many jobs are being replaced by AI. Why would corporations want more people now? That was something we could have expected 20 years ago, but not now, and even less so in the future. It only takes further advancements in robotics to complete everything...

 

[skybox]

I think this earth isn't meant to hold so many people. I don't wanna see it hit 10 billion.

 

[Britney Spears]

Planet Earth should never have been formed. Prison planet

 

[wham311]

Eradicate, start with me

 

[Alexandra_]

Because the vast majority of people don't realize what they're doing

 

[lookingglassinsect]

No one knows exactly when AI and robots will become real, but for now, humans still valued.. like livestock.

 

[Gustav Hartmann]

Capitalism forces productivity increase, in other words more and more work is done by machines. Capitalism also needs economic growth, that means more consuments and that means population growth. In the end only a few very smart humans are needed and the things produced by machines have to be given away for free to the superfluous rest of mankind. Or the machines find out that humans are no longer needed except for the production of Soylent Green.

Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk have the only logical vision how to get out of this paradox situation: Growth in population and technology is only possible if other planets are settled.

The reference to suicide: Soylent Green and the inevitable sucide squats involved in the settlement of other planets.

 

[ObsidianEnigma]

Many jobs are being replaced by AI. Why would corporations want more people now? That was something we could have expected 20 years ago, but not now, and even less so in the future. It only takes further advancements in robotics to complete everything...

I see your point. But corporations also need customers. Corporate owners are usually obsessed with growth as much as they are obssessed with efficiency. Nobody likes declining revenues (especially for a long time).

To be more precise, I don't think it is much about corporations (entities), but their management and owners. The people in power, in control, being rich, need to have other people under them. Many on top are already so rich that they (and their kids) could live affluent lives without ever needing to work. But there is a great satisfaction being on the top, being in power. Even with fulfilled material needs, some people enjoy being popular, being in control, being respected and applauded. Power is the ultimate source of satisfaction that cannot be fulfilled by anything they can buy.

Also, I've already lived through Industry 4.0, self driving cars promises, ever improving computers and robotics. But so many workers are still needed, that corporations lobby the government all the time to allow more (worker) immigration (at least in developed countries). Perhaps AI revolution will be different, but I am a bit sceptical.

 

[bl33ding_heart]

With advances in AI and robotics, it's increasingly clear that there are too many people on the planet and that the future will be much worse. So why is there so much concern about declining birth rates, suicide, and abortion, and why aren't laws allowing for assisted dying passed?

Sorry for my bad english

Because it will only be a slow downward spiral into extinction from there lol.

 

[tercermundista]

I see your point. But corporations also need customers. Corporate owners are usually obsessed with growth as much as they are obssessed with efficiency. Nobody likes declining revenues (especially for a long time).

To be more precise, I don't think it is much about corporations (entities), but their management and owners. The people in power, in control, being rich, need to have other people under them. Many on top are already so rich that they (and their kids) could live affluent lives without ever needing to work. But there is a great satisfaction being on the top, being in power. Even with fulfilled material needs, some people enjoy being popular, being in control, being respected and applauded. Power is the ultimate source of satisfaction that cannot be fulfilled by anything they can buy.

Also, I've already lived through Industry 4.0, self driving cars promises, ever improving computers and robotics. But so many workers are still needed, that corporations lobby the government all the time to allow more (worker) immigration (at least in developed countries). Perhaps AI revolution will be different, but I am a bit sceptical.

The problem I see is that if what they need are customers, but the work of the "workers" is done by machines or AI, a universal basic income would be needed, financed by exorbitant taxes and an infinite increase in inflation… I don't see a solution.

 

[Michelstaedter]

Sé que hablas español y sí, el mundo será un lugar peor para aquellos que sean reemplazados por una maquina. Sabes qué he estado fantaseando??? En ser un robot, tipo cyborg, no depender de tener hambre, tener sueño y demás cosas que dan un pesar un humano, en cambio siendo un robot, tus necesidades serían particulares y limitadas a tu organismo semi-robótico. Siendo humano es una maldita condena, va de peor a peor y no va a existir un límite, todo se irá al carajo. Países como la India, México, Brasil, irán aumentando su población y las carencias serán peores. Serán ganado para los países explotadores que querrán compensar su falta de natalidad con la mano de obra barata de otros países, esto será un puto caos!!!!!!! Pero en fin, sólo espero no estar vivo para cuando llegue ese trágico momento, lo lamento por aquellos que sufrirán y tendrán miedo a morir, en tanto que será difícil tomar la decisión de abandonar este maldito loco e infernal mundo.

 

[sevennn]

gotta have boys that grow into men to throw in a war occasionally

 

[Kali_Yuga13]

I am 69 and never had kids and I get that question each and every day "why did you not have 4, 5, 6 or more kids?" I have been told to my face "Are you gay since you have no kids" for real and so many other insults.

Over the years it's been more common to hear women shamed for being a childless spinster but men get the same treatment in other ways. It even seeps into the professional world as being unmarried and without children is an indicator of instability, a checkered past or untrustworthiness since it's perceived as having less skin in the game.

Personally I'd have liked to have had a family but my life got derailed at an early age and it took me took long figure things out. I'm an entire lifetime behind in so many areas. I honesty don't know how to make it to your age mired in regrets. How has been from 50 years old to where you are now?

 

[whywere]

Over the years it's been more common to hear women shamed for being a childless spinster but men get the same treatment in other ways. It even seeps into the professional world as being unmarried and without children is an indicator of instability, a checkered past or untrustworthiness since it's perceived as having less skin in the game.

Personally I'd have liked to have had a family but my life got derailed at an early age and it took me took long figure things out. I'm an entire lifetime behind in so many areas. I honesty don't know how to make it to your age mired in regrets. How has been from 50 years old to where you are now?

Interesting, as I never think about it, as I got divorced, my ex had a HUGE gambling issue, got laid off and then rehired by the same firm, go figure, and I am so looking forward to next year, as I will retire and then I am going to travel the world and do my bucket list of countries and people that I have always wanted to see and visit with.

I just wished that folks who always point the finger and judge folks would take a step back and think.

Walter