vixstile

Go to <a href="http://www.atheistnetwork.com/" target="_blank">http://www.atheistnetwork.com/</a> and listen to the SciFiDimentions.com
interview with a spokesman for the "Voluntary Human Extinction something or another"

They're saying humans should stop all procreation "to allow the biosphere to return to its natural state".They view humanity as an exotic invader specie (like the brown tree snakes of Guam)

THAT IS THE STUPIDEST ASS FUCKING THING I HAVE EVER HAD THE DISPLEASURE OF HEARING!!!

"return to its natural state" ?!?!?!
If nature isn't in a natural state, then what? Supernatural?

How is humanity not just another part of nature, just another species, no better no worse ?

GAWD! Im choking on my own rage here

Abacus

Well, I hope that spokesperson sets a good example for us and decides not to procreate.

Deadbeat

Um... they have a web site. I'd recommend checking it out. They may claim they're serious, but I HIGHLY doubt it.

<a href="http://www.vhemt.org/" target="_blank">http://www.vhemt.org/</A>

Dr.GH

I wouldn't mind a reduction in H. sap to around 2 billion individuals. Even better at around 1 billion.

vixstile

WHY?

Dr.GH

Can you spell "mass extinction?"
Sure you can!
Just look around!

Good!

MrXarvox

Humans are indirectly self-destructive by nature. Just like any other over-burgeoning population, we need to be thinned out, or face dire consequences. <img src="graemlins/boohoo.gif" border="0" alt="[Boo Hoo]" />

vixstile

And? So what

What NON-subjective reason is there for insuring minimal human impact on the earth?

Why not (given the right knowledge and technology) alter the environment to best suite the needs of humanity?


Maybe this topic is becoming to philosophical for the E/C forum

David Gould

If we could it with no reduction in knowledge then that would be fine.

I suspect that the population will peak at around 20 billion or so anyway and will then slowly decline.

It is clear that in the west population growth is only occuring due to immigration - Australia's population will begin to decline by 2050 at the current levels of immigration and birth rates.

If we accept that most of the world is around 50-70 years behind the west then it seems that in about 150 years we will hit our peak population.

China faces a reducing population; education combined with starvation, disease and war in Africa will help to slow the population growth there.

India and South America are at the moment the biggest problem in this regard.

Of course, whether the Earth can actually sustain 20 billion or so humans is another matter. I suspect that it can, but that many other plants and animals will go extinct because of us.

LaFlavor

actually, the last i heard (and keep in mind this was in a biology class over two years ago) the earth can sustain about 2 billion people indefinitely at our present rate of consumption per person. i would think that 20 billion might be stretching it a little.

[ May 02, 2002: Message edited by: LaFlavor ]</p>