The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #150504   Message #3507689
Posted By: GUEST,highlandman at work
23-Apr-13 - 10:00 AM
Thread Name: BS: 13 worst Earth Day Predictions 1970
Subject: RE: BS: 13 worst Earth Day Predictions 1970
Bill: "I was told in the early 50s that "The oceans will feed the Earth"...."

As I recall, that was about the predicted commercial development of plankton and algae and stuff, becoming the raw material of all sorts of human food. But the reality is that never happened on any real scale, and humans just went on skimming off the top of the food chain like we always have (it's easier, and biologically we're predators with the predator's instinct to take the path of least effort).

There probably is enough biomass in the oceans to sustainably feed a huge global population, but eating off the top of the food chain is not the way to utilize it.

"Pardon me if I seem cynical when some take flaws in detailed predictions to mean 'it's all ok.'"

Oh, I agree, it's definitely not all ok. I just think there should be healthy skepticism of authoritative pronouncements on either side.

-Glenn