I agree. But more in response to other comments: A libertarian has the right to complain about anything, but he risks sounding authoritarian if he complains about overpopulation without emphasizing that he is not endorsing gov intervention, especially when he complains about too many neighbors and what they do with their own property. Even though it is largely true, to say that people are the source of all pollution is something to tell tree-hugging parents, not Libertarians. Rather, I like to complain about the lack of birth-control information (including advertising) and availability. That, and pointing out how prosperity is a natural force for voluntary population control, seems to me to be a more productive effort (it kills two birds by also addressing abortion). Oh, and let's not forget technology (actually part of Greg's "innovation").
-Mark _____ Overpopulation is relative. There is really no such problem in North America. The issues of people, distribution and resources are most acute in areas of the developing world, which are among the least productive--due to corruption, high concentration of wealth, usually by force, poor social systems due to wars, disease, etc. If overpopulation is defined as a certain number of people per square kilometer, or more, that is a definition of convenience. Innovation occurs when people see a need. It may be an individual effort, a group effort, or some combination of forces. The use of innovation in the developing world can help increase the use of assets more productively causing a higher return on investment and the resultant increase in living standards. What are the limits to productivity? We do not know. We haven't found it yet. True, if people suddenly decided we need 6 kids for every family, we might experience temporary discomfort as population outstrips resources and current technology. Again, many demographers are saying the Earth's population will probably level out at 9-10 billion around mid-century. Then, the issues of dealing with a young population in the developing world and an older, even elderly, population in parts of the developed world raises some interesting questions. Perhaps, by then, the movement of population and the movement of capital will be freer than today. We can hope. Greg _____ [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~--> Fair play? Video games influencing politics. Click and talk back! http://us.click.yahoo.com/VpgUKB/pzNLAA/cUmLAA/KlSolB/TM --------------------------------------------------------------------~-> ForumWebSiteAt http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Libertarian Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Libertarian/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
