4 ms·

And then overpopulation will become a problem even more than it is now.

by rahkiin 10y ago

Houshalter 10y ago
No it won't. All first world countries have less than sustainable population growth as it is. We produce vastly more food than we need, and will be able to produce even more in the future with genetically engineered algae. We have vast areas of the Earth left to settle including deserts, antarctica and the Oceans. Not to mention space. We have millennia worth of nuclear fuel available on Earth, not to mention other forms of energy. Overpopulation is a joke.
- seanp2k2 10y ago
  The way I see it playing out, if working life extension technology is discovered, it will first be hoarded secretly for many years / possibly generations while the rich + powerful use it to stay in power. It won't be generally accessible until much later, likely after the world is in ruins, if at all. Some people believe that it had been discovered before but lost to the ages. Creepy to think about, but makes sense. If someone could live forever, I would think they'd become a huge target for assassination.
  - Houshalter 10y ago
    That's a stupid theory. All technologies become available to the general public after a short time. Initially cell phones were expensive, but now even the poor often have iphones. Most medicines including advanced cancer treatments are available to everyone. Especially in countries with socialized healthcare. I see no reason why this would be any different.
  - Practicality 10y ago
    Making sure everyone has access to life-extension is how you make sure you aren't a target for assassination. If you try to keep it for yourself you can bet the population-at-large will be gunning for you (literally).
- wcummings 10y ago
  >We produce vastly more food than we need Global warming could cause some nasty food shortages.
  - Houshalter 10y ago
    In the next few decades maybe. But population growth is a very long term issue. Over the next few centuries we will almost certainly solve or adapt to whatever issues global warming creates in the next few decades. Slightly decreasing or increasing the population will not make much difference.
    - deleted 10y ago
      [deleted]

And then overpopulation will become a problem even more than it is now.

by rahkiin 10y ago

And then overpopulation will become a problem even more than it is now.

No it won't. All first world countries have less than sustainable population growth as it is. We produce vastly more food than we need, and will be able to produce even more in the future with genetically engineered algae. We have vast areas of the Earth left to settle including deserts, antarctica and the Oceans. Not to mention space. We have millennia worth of nuclear fuel available on Earth, not to mention other forms of energy. Overpopulation is a joke.

seanp2k2 10y ago
The way I see it playing out, if working life extension technology is discovered, it will first be hoarded secretly for many years / possibly generations while the rich + powerful use it to stay in power. It won't be generally accessible until much later, likely after the world is in ruins, if at all. Some people believe that it had been discovered before but lost to the ages. Creepy to think about, but makes sense. If someone could live forever, I would think they'd become a huge target for assassination.
- Houshalter 10y ago
  That's a stupid theory. All technologies become available to the general public after a short time. Initially cell phones were expensive, but now even the poor often have iphones. Most medicines including advanced cancer treatments are available to everyone. Especially in countries with socialized healthcare. I see no reason why this would be any different.
- Practicality 10y ago
  Making sure everyone has access to life-extension is how you make sure you aren't a target for assassination. If you try to keep it for yourself you can bet the population-at-large will be gunning for you (literally).
wcummings 10y ago
>We produce vastly more food than we need Global warming could cause some nasty food shortages.
- Houshalter 10y ago
  In the next few decades maybe. But population growth is a very long term issue. Over the next few centuries we will almost certainly solve or adapt to whatever issues global warming creates in the next few decades. Slightly decreasing or increasing the population will not make much difference.
  - deleted 10y ago
    [deleted]