In 1968, biologist Paul Ehrlich achieved infamy by publishing The Population Bomb: Population Control or Race to Oblivion?, one of the most controversial eco-books ever printed. Ehrlich has been condemned to spend eternity with Thomas Malthus, in a dungeon reserved for doom perverts. To this day, professors still use the two lads as great reasons to never take seriously … [Read more...]
Overpopulation and the Ostrich Factor
Garrett Hardin was a lad who not only thought a lot, but could also think well. I recently discovered a Hardin book I had not heard of, The Ostrich Factor: Our Population Myopia (1998). Hardin was an interesting blend of an ecological conservative, and a growth-hating political conservative who detested economists. I hoped that this book would provide fresh insights on the huge … [Read more...]
Economics: dismal, but not a science
When Thomas Carlyle coined the term "dismal science" in 1849, he was contrasting the downer theories of Thomas Malthus with the life-enhancing craft of writing poetry and songs. Carlyle seemed to prefer sweet tunes over sour warnings about overpopulation and starvation. Today, people who worry about the effect of climate change and peak oil on the economy are likely to … [Read more...]