BS: Is there a population decline crisis

Subject: BS: Is there a population decline crisis
From: Mary G
Date: 01 Jun 26 - 06:58 PM

I am following this. I can't help but think this is mostly a good thing, but depends on how fast population drops and how fast AI and robots replace people. There are huge military problems of course. I think most other problems will be fixed or ameliorated but there will be pockets of suffering as a result, mostly in caretaker situations.

I think a moderate decline can mostly be handled, but when it gets close to or below 1.0 could be serious. However, you will be able to walk into abandoned houses and claim them -- you already can in some places. Robots will do a lot of surgery, dentistry, accounting, gardening, home repairs.

What do people think? Of course the environment, excluding warfare, should improve. i also think when they list the reasons - mostly housing and daycare -- I think they leave off a lot of factors for this.

b

Subject: RE: BS: Is there a population decline crisis
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 02 Jun 26 - 12:03 AM

Depending on HOW the population declines. Lower birth rate? Who will be here to tend to the aging population (though they're often doing a pretty good job of taking care of themselves for longer than before.)

Culling the population the way Trump and Miller and their ilk are trying to do to establish some kind of Aryan race — I think it's nuts.

Subject: RE: BS: Is there a population decline crisis
From: Bill D
Date: 02 Jun 26 - 03:55 PM

Our entire society is built on growth. Downsizing will/would be a delicate, careful thing. IF the USA does it, there's no guarantee the rest of the world would also.... and attempted immigration would present some real problems.
   Simple math tells us that world population growth simply *cannot* go on forever... 'forever' will end sooner than we can imagine.
   I remember in the 6th grade reading that world population was 2 1/2 billion, and the mantra was "the sea will feed us". Now it's about 8 billion. Even with a slowdown, various things will gradually get worse.. from simple 'living space' to water supplies to conflicts when people search for basic necessities.
Of course, I hope for sensible progress to achieve a livable balance, but 'sense' doesn't seem very common these days.
   I won't be around to say, "I told 'em so!", and the few times I've tried to explain it all, I was met with shrugs.

Subject: RE: BS: Is there a population decline crisis
From: r.padgett
Date: 04 Jun 26 - 01:27 AM

Is this not a world wide question? and of course India, Pakistan and others are different to UK, Australia, USA

and of course the extent of immigration where population face famine and war will be a factor too

Ray

Subject: RE: BS: Is there a population decline crisis
From: Bill D
Date: 04 Jun 26 - 10:52 AM

Yep, Ray... all that and more. Even if a way was found to control & limit pregnancies, many of those other cultures depend on large families to help earn a living.

Subject: RE: BS: Is there a population decline crisis
From: Donuel
Date: 06 Jun 26 - 11:08 AM

Japan and Italy were the first to notice the decline.

Subject: RE: BS: Is there a population decline crisis
From: Mary G
Date: 06 Jun 26 - 05:57 PM

I keep reading S. Korea is worst. I had read .9 but today I heard more like .72. That I can see would be catastrophic. I am not sure the higher numbers like 1.6 would be as bad, seeing there will be robots, immigration to many countries, many people are not working much anyway, as in jail, alcoholics etc. I can not predict what will happen. If we go into full scale war all bets are off. What these predictions do not take into account is how incredibly adaptable people are. We can turn empty schools into old age facilities. Upgrade everyone's housing situation. reclaim farm and forest land. live more simply. have fewer cars. eat whole foods we grow on porches etc. -- strawberries for example. I don't know. But if a high reproductive country wants land from a low repro country, they can probably just take it. Health and aged care will possibly be terrible, but maybe not with robotics.

Subject: RE: BS: Is there a population decline crisis
From: Donuel
Date: 07 Jun 26 - 11:08 AM

In this crazy age of uncertainty, people tend to freeze.