96 thousand years is the earliest modern human skull found, I think. That's a blink of the eye geologically.
The population vs food supply argument was made by Thomas Robert Malthus in 1798. He perceived that population would increase beyond any governmental measure to halt it, and that food production would struggle to keep pace. This would lead to famine, population arrest and decline. At no point does he suggest it would be an extinction event.
If population truly outstrips calorie production(-waste) vast numbers of people may well die. But it will not be all people. Population will find a balance, and then will attempt to grow again. Natural cycle perceived in any animal population when unchecked by other factors.
However, Malthus never saw the tractor, the GM crop, the System of Rice Intensification method (GM-free/herbicide/pesticide free farming method). He also didn't see the improvements of distribution by diesel ship, plane and lorry. Previously to such methods of transport a great deal of food was consumed in the transporting of food. As Sun Tzu said; II.15: Hence a wise general makes a point of foraging on the enemy. One cartload of the enemy's provisions is worth twenty of one's own, and likewise one picul is equivalent to twenty from one's own store. (Because twenty cartloads will be consumed in bringing one cartload to the front).
These improvements allow populations many times larger to feast where past generations have suffered privation.



Reply With Quote
