Never really found over/underpopulation fears compelling. Seems like a self correcting system for the most part. Only really a problem if people want to have ki

Never really found over/underpopulation fears compelling. Seems like a self correcting system for the most part. Only really a problem if people want to have kids, but can't due to money/pollution. That should be addressed. Was in Japan recently and there were noticeably more immigrants compared to 10 years earlier. Mostly in convenience stores. Still probably not at the level that """experts""" advise, of course. Assuming the country doesn't open the floodgates, I'm bullish on it becoming (even more of) a nice, affordable place to live in the coming decades, after a brief crunch period. Much more pleasant than the likes of Canada or Australia, who are exploiting foreigners to prop up their sham economies. > slower population growth should translate into a slower pace of innovation An interesting point, but not one that can be effectively addressed by the current neoliberal model of importing a permanent underclass. > maintaining the social protections provided by contemporary welfare states will be an increasingly tall order. As the old-age dependency ratio ratchets ever upwards, the tax burden imposed on the shrinking working-age population will eventually grow unbearable. Your brain on Capitalist Realism. Assumes that a market-driven, tax-funded welfare state is the final stage of civilization, worth preserving into the 21st century. Does not consider the massive monetary and manpower savings that might be arise out of a fundamental decommodification of property, energy, and health concerns: all things that old people in particular struggle with.