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> So far, history has not been kind to those civilizations exhibiting declining populations over sustained multi-generational spans. And yet Japan has some of
by BelenusMordred 5y ago
> So far, history has not been kind to those civilizations exhibiting declining populations over sustained multi-generational spans.
And yet Japan has some of the highest quality of life, a huge economy despite very few natural resources, some of the most innovative companies in the world and the longest lived people on the planet. It's been the poster-child for westerners as a failed economy with a lost decade and yet they keep on doing fine despite 30+ years of this narrative.
Try moving somewhere with rampant population growth and tell me it's great. The underlying general trend for the vast majority of people on Earth is to get the fuck away from other people and move to low density countries where the mineral and agricultural wealth is spread much thicker. GDP growth means nothing for the average person and most realise this.
- stephc_int13 5y agoJapan is very nice example, even if some would probably argue that 30 years is not enough to observe the real consequences of demographic changes.
- yourapostasy 5y agoExactly. For my personal purposes in this matter (YMMV), 30 years of trend is curious. 200 years is data.
- yourapostasy 5y agoYes, I’m watching Japan with great interest. Wish I knew Japanese and Chinese cultures more intimately to be able to parse what we’re hearing as laypeople, but yay for specialists who do study that. Now if only I could find what those specialists wrote…