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Posting-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site tekcad.UUCP
Path: utzoo!linus!decvax!tektronix!tekcad!keithl
From: keithl@tekcad.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.space
Subject: Does space relieve crowding?
Message-ID: <44@tekcad.UUCP>
Date: Sun, 18-Sep-83 16:27:15 EDT
Article-I.D.: tekcad.44
Posted: Sun Sep 18 16:27:15 1983
Date-Received: Mon, 19-Sep-83 16:11:23 EDT
Organization: Tektronix, Beaverton OR
Lines: 42

"Overpopulation"; an interesting word.
   Per inhabitant (assumed pop. 5E9), the Earth has
	30,000 square meters of land
	72,000 square meters of ocean
	25,000,000 watts solar irradiance
	70 tons of "alive" matter  (including almost 1 billion insects!)
	2,000 tons of biosphere
        1,000,000 tons of atmosphere
	300,000,000 tons of ocean
   I figure the planet COULD support about 5 TRILLION people with the
"right" technology, covering the land to Manhattan density.  Some people
appear to ENJOY living that densely!  I suspect overpopulation is more a
psychological problem than a technical one.

   What is it that makes people feel crowded?  Competition for scarce 
resources, perhaps, or pollution.  Personally, I don't like the social
pollution (crime, intolerance, laws, taxes, war) that "crowded" people
generate.

   I find the idea of space colonization very appealing.  Freedom!
Elbowroom! Virtually unlimited growth! Sure, there will be problems,
but I've gotten bored trying to solve the present set, which are mostly 
between the ears of others.  I would rather cope with a meteor shower than
a politician with "good intentions".

   The planet might be a better place with irritants like me off it, as
well.  You wouldn't have to move a very large percentage off planet to
eliminate a lot of the perceived crowding.  The people remaining wouldn't
have to accommodate as much "difference".

   To those who wish to stay, go ahead!  When the crazies leave, you may
find the people left behind more to your liking.  People who want to solve
their problems by political means, for example, I'd rather have stay on
Earth anyway.  Governments are for gravity wells!

   Enough spouting.  Flames can be addressed to: 
-- 
Keith Lofstrom
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