I would agree with all of that if it were remotely serious but the tone of that entire section is written in jest, and I don't know what is gained out of taking

I would agree with all of that if it were remotely serious but the tone of that entire section is written in jest, and I don't know what is gained out of taking someone's intended jocularity as a serious plan of action. The principle conveyed is true but the exaggerations are purely for writing. It's a book after all, and he is trying to entertain the reader. He really doesn't think of the apocalypse. In fact I would not be surprised if a ghostwriter or editor did those embellishments.