Reply #5: beating a dead horse

[guardian]

"Pessimists have believed that humanity is doomed due to overpopulation and overconsumption ever since economist and scholar Thomas Robert Malthus forecasted this fate over two centuries ago."

Yes. And they have been wrong for two centuries and continue to be wrong.



"Conversely, optimists have argued that technological innovation will improve standards of living and that population growth"

Yes and they were right. By every conceivable measure living standards have improved. People are living longer, in better health, have more food, more variety, more choice, more time for leisure and intellectual pursuits, etc.


What is it about the Malthusians that have them clinging to a failed idea? It would be interesting to see a study of the correlation between people that are adherents of both Malthus and global warming.