How a Stanford lepidopterist convinced the world to fear the breeding habits of the poor. Again.
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Sources:
- Sonia Shah’s “The Next Great Migration”
- Barbarian Hordes: The overpopulation scapegoat in international development discourse
- Optimism and Overpopulation
- The Population Bomb Revisited
- The Strange History of Birth Control
- Birth Control for Others
- How the World Survived the Population Bomb: Lessons From 50 Years of Extraordinary Demographic History
- Why the Population Bomb is a Rockefeller Baby
12/15/22 • 49 min
10 Listeners
If Books Could Kill - The Population Bomb
Transcript Summary
In this compelling episode titled "The Population Bomb," Michael and Peter delve into the controversial book by Paul Ehrlich that raised concerns about overpopulation and its consequences. Ehrlich proposes various methods for population control, including cutting welfare benefits, incentivizing not having children, and implementing higher taxes. He suggests sending TVs to rural areas to discourage population growth and improve agricultural practices. However, critics argue that Ehrlich prioritizes his own comfort and lifestyle over genuine global concerns. The episode explores the impact of Ehrlich's book, the formation of the zero population growth movement, and the continued relevance of the overpopulation argument in discussions about climate change and development. Michael and Peter dissect Ehrlich's extreme scenarios, challenge his views on population control, and criticize his proposals as genocidal and deranged. Tune in to gain valuable insights into the complexities surrounding overpopulation, its implications, and the need for nuanced discourse on this pressing issue.
Transcript
Michael: Peter.
Peter: Michael.
Michael: Are you familiar with a book called The Population Bomb?
Peter: I have heard of this book. I have not heard anything else.
[If Books Could Kill theme]
Peter: I'm aware that there was a book from like the mid-century-ish that predicted overpopulation across the globe.
Michael: Yes, The Popula
The Population Bomb Top Questions Answered
What is the book "The Population Bomb" about?
"The Population Bomb" is a book written by Paul Ehrlich in 1968 that merges concerns about overpopulation and environmentalism. It explores the potential consequences of overpopulation and proposes population control measures.
What are the main concerns of overpopulation in wealthy countries?
Overpopulation in rich countries is seen as a threat to the standard of living and amenities. It discusses issues such as traffic, urbanization, and the negative impact on the environment.
Does increasing population cause more environmental damage?
The author suggests that increasing population leads to more damage to the environment, although he doesn't provide a thorough justification for this claim.
What scenarios are presented in "The Population Bomb"?
The book presents fictional scenarios to illustrate potential future outcomes associated with overpopulation, including global famine and other catastrophic consequences.
Does the author propose adding sterilants to the water supply?
While the author floats the idea of adding sterilants to the water supply as a potential population control measure, he dismisses it as logistically infeasible.
Who wrote "The Population Bomb"?
The book was written by Paul Ehrlich in 1968.
What does Paul Ehrlich argue about population growth?
Paul Ehrlich argues that population growth is exponential while food production is linear, and he suggests that the Earth has a limit to how much population it can sustain.
What are the two options suggested for achieving population stability?
The author suggests that population stability can be achieved by either raising the death rate or reducing the birth rate.
Did the predictions in "The Population Bomb" come true?
No, the predictions in "The Population Bomb" did not come true. Birth rates have flattened and famines have been reduced since the book's publication.
How was the book "The Population Bomb" received?
The book attracted significant controversy due to its extreme viewpoints and the author's lack of expertise in demographics. Despite the controversy, it gained popularity after the author appeared on The Tonight Show.
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