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Re: population growth & physics ed



Just a thought:

Rick mentions...
one chooses the year of eventual population
stabilization (since the earth clearly can't sustain an infinite
number of people--this WILL happen)

The following is not addressed specifically to Rick, but to the list in general.

It seems to me that one point is that stabilization is _not_ a foregone
conclusion.

Sure, if we are going to get a handle on the situation then stabilization
is a requirement. But, in many populations that can be observed and have
been observed, stabilization is not what happens. _Crashes_ in population
are what happens.

Is there some reason why the human population will NOT crash? I think the
answer here is: no, there is no reason why a crash in the human population
will never happen. A crash in the human population would be very
unpleasant, not only for those who die (they might be the best off in the
long run), but probably also for the survivors for many generations to
come. This is why avoiding a crash is so important, but avoidance of a
crash in the human population is unlikely to be the outcome by ignoring the
possibility.

Dewey

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Dewey I. Dykstra, Jr. Phone: (208)385-3105
Professor of Physics Dept: (208)385-3775
Department of Physics/SN318 Fax: (208)385-4330
Boise State University dykstrad@varney.idbsu.edu
1910 University Drive Boise Highlanders
Boise, ID 83725-1570 novice piper
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