Every time I publish news that has demographic implications (for example, reporting the cradles increasingly empty, or the prospects on increasing longevity), many have things to say. The world is too populated, they tell me. Our presence is not sustainable, they add.
In other words, the debate on sustainability and the optimal size of the human population rages relentlessly, and on social media everyone seems eager to step aside (in words), because otherwise "there are too many of us".
But does everyone really think this way?
On the one hand, various figures support the need for a drastically reduced world population, due to unsustainability and resource limitations. The biologist Paul Ehrlich, for example, a planet is desired with no more than 2 billion souls. On the other hand, there are those who offer a radically different perspective: Julian Simon, for example, says that a more populated world, in reality, it's better for everyone.
But how can this be? And why would you, personally, even want a larger human population? I'll try to answer these questions.
More people, more geniuses
The first point to consider is that more people means more chances of having super-intelligent, super-creative or super-talented individuals. This involves more great artists, architects, musicians, philosophers, scientists and inventors.
If we define a genius as a person with one-in-a-million level intelligence, every billion people adds another thousand absolute geniuses to our world, people working on humanity's problems and opportunities for the benefit of all. Too optimistic? Let's get to point 2.
Accelerated progress
A more populated world also entails faster scientific, technical and economic progress. This is due to various factors, including greater total investment in research and development, greater specialization, and larger markets that support greater investment in research and development.
These are not abstract opportunities, mind you, but are requirements for progress. Exponential economic growth, for example, requires exponentially increasing investment in research and development, a key component: we need an ever-expanding researcher base. Unless you want to leave all research in the hands of artificial intelligence.
More options for everyone
Even ignoring growth and progress and looking only at a static snapshot of society, a more populated world is simply a world with more choices, more variety. More matches for aesthetics, style and taste, a wider range of careers and opportunities to find the perfect partner, both in business and in your personal life.
Still not enough for you?
Deep reasons in support of a more populated world
Behind these tangible benefits, there are profound reasons that explain why a more populated world is beneficial for everyone. These include the presence of non-rival goods, economies of scale, network effects and Metcalfe's law. Do you know her?
The utility and value of a network are proportional to the square of the number of users
Even this law, perhaps, is too optimistic, so much so there's talk of seeing it again. “downwards”. But he is rightly so, precisely because he considers everyone equally important. Bigger companies are better for everyone. Smaller societies are better only for someone: maybe some humanist who in broad daylight (nothing but conspiracies) we hope for another, great "exterminator" virus.
A more populated world would be good news. Getting there, populating it.
The vision of a world with a growing population is not a given, given the decline in births and the prospects from 2100 onwards. Having a more populated world is having a dynamic world, capable of supporting and fueling progress. In contrast to a much smaller world, which would be significantly impoverished and stagnant, a populated world (and with a growing population) is a world full of discoveries, inventions, works of creative genius, cures for disease, choices, and soul mates.
There is no doubt that the sustainability of this scenario is an unknown, but what alternatives are there? A bigger world is not just about numbers, but about progress, diversity, and choice. With the right strategies and technologies, limitations can be overcome and progress can continue to benefit everyone. Because every man should not be considered a "consumer", but a resource.
You were not made to live like brutes, but to follow virtue and knowledge.
Dante Alighieri
Or not?
