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Message: <blockquote data-quote="ConcreteBuddha" data-source="post: 452554" data-attributes="member: 3139">The reason why I hold to a more substantial projection for the population of the Earth is because these U.N. figures do not include the potential for science to expand the limits of this niche.Assuming that no scientific advances occur between now and 10 billion people, I'd agree that equilibrium would probably occur.However, it is far more likely that humans will genetically engineer plants that can grow on the polar ice caps or on the ocean floor. It is more likely that humans will develop holodecks and limited teleportation and other far-reaching advances. The limits of the niche, be they psychological, resource-driven, government-driven, or what have you, will continue to break down to the juggernaut of science. That, afterall, is the whole point of science. Tools allow a species to transcend, evolve and expand. Whether it wants to or not... <img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f609.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=";)" title="Wink    ;)"  data-smilie="2"data-shortname=";)" />...First world countries slowing down on birthrate? Therefore all countries must slow down on birthrate as they become more civilized?I don't necessarily agree with this. It assumes a couple of things.1) It assumes that immigration is not a viable form of population expansion. (A low birth rate in localized areas does not necessarily mean that the species as a whole is reaching equilibrium.)2) It assumes that all countries will eventually be equally civilized. (Never in the history of mankind have the Haves had the same as the Havenots.)3) It assumes that civilized countires will have a low birth rate indefinitely. (This is not necessarily the case. We have had less than one century of the phenomenon. I am yet hesitant to gamble on it for the rest of human history.)... Genetics: Will happen. And I'm of the opinion that it can be a good thing. Hopefully it won't happen as drastically in my lifetime as I can conceive (or as I can't conceive). The ability to manipulate evolution itself is the ultimate form of evolution. That is a scary thought. Robotic mining: Good points. Maybe it will happen sooner than I think. I just don't see how it is as cost effective as recycling, but then again, I'm not a businessman nor would I enjoy space travel. <img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f609.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=";)" title="Wink    ;)"  data-smilie="2"data-shortname=";)" />  Sorry, but when I read the above, two words popped into my head: Manifest Destiny <img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f609.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=";)" title="Wink    ;)"  data-smilie="2"data-shortname=";)" /></blockquote>

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