innovation seems to be on an exponential curve, as well as consumption (and I believe population) the earth being what it is In technologically advanced societ

innovation seems to be on an exponential curve, as well as consumption (and I believe population) the earth being what it is In technologically advanced societies, the birth rate tends to decline, often below the replacement rate. Check out birth rates for most of western Europe for example. Having many many children is not actually pleasant for most people and when they have modern medicine that reduces child mortality, they typically choose to have a small number of children. Cultures don't change instantaneously, so sometimes these changes take a generation or two, but they do seem to happen.