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This is the type of research where I like to fantasize about the outcome. As a human race we've managed to basically cheat evolution with our advances in medici
by jtchang 10y ago
This is the type of research where I like to fantasize about the outcome. As a human race we've managed to basically cheat evolution with our advances in medicine and technology. If somehow we can stay alive as a species long enough we very well might be able to discover the secret to regeneration and immortality in some way.
- jonknee 10y ago> If somehow we can stay alive as a species long enough we very well might be able to discover the secret to regeneration and immortality in some way. Hopefully we won't figure that out before we figure out how to not overcrowd Earth.
- avodonosov 10y agoForbid procreation for those who chosen immortality. If you decided to spawn children, then free space for them - die. (Or go cryopreservation and be kept in a small box occupying little space. In this case you and your decedents can live in turns: they live for one century while you sleep frozen; next century other way around).
- jonknee 10y agoYou can't let people choose because even a small percentage of people choosing immortality a generation will end up overcrowding the planet given enough time.
- avodonosov 10y agoThis depends on the reproduction rate. If it's > 1 then you're right. BTW, controlling reproduction rate is a way to not overcrowd Earth.
- JumpCrisscross 10y ago> Forbid recreation for those who chosen immortality How do you police sex in a democracy?
- marvy 10y agoThe same way you police it in a dictatorship, or any other form of government. Just do what China does for its one child policy, except that it would be a zero child policy. I doubt this is a good idea though.
- JumpCrisscross 10y ago> I doubt this is a good idea though I agree. Overpopulation is an overstated problem [1]. Rich societies reproduce at below their replacement levels. Pursuing higher quality of life by expanding capability (including by tapping extraterrestrial potential) is more sustainable than by constraining population. [1] http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/14/opinion/overpopulation-is-not-the-problem.html http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/14/opinion/overpopulation-is-...
- michaelscott 10y agoBut this happens because we don't live very long currently. So we prioritise using the time we have to build material resources so that when (if) we have a child we can maintain standard of living. If you were assured to live even 100 years you could spend the first 50 creating a high standard of living and the next 50 raising children within that standard.
- caf 10y agoJust as an aside, the word you're looking for is "procreation" - "recreation" refers to leisure activities.
- avodonosov 10y agoThanks, fixed. (Although "re-creation" looked so right. Maybe I will use "reproduction").
- Jtsummers 10y agoMay want to read "2 B R 0 2 B" by Vonnegut.
- avodonosov 10y agothanks for the reference
- Grishnakh 10y agoThat's really not necessary. "Immortal" people aren't going to live forever; something is eventually going to kill them, like a speeding bus, or a skydiving accident, etc. Also, it's been proven over and over that when people have more education and resources, they breed a lot less, which is why all the developed nations are looking at zero or negative population growth if you ignore immigration. Make people biologically immortal and they'll end up not having many kids at all, on average. I think you're worried about something that isn't going to be a problem.