The Old Are Eating the Young
I have a theory that may not be popular around here. I also probably have not thought this through and researched it enough, but I will throw it out there anyway. I would love to have it torn to shreds by someone who has studied economics or more likely this is something that has already been extensively researched.<p>It seems to me that real sustained economic growth cannot happen without population growth, at least the way things work right now. Efficiencies gained through technological innovation and financial manipulation cannot sustain growth indefinitely, they just smooth out the bumps and with population growth help increase the rate of economic growth. And without economic growth, we are going to keep running into these issues and others brought up in the article.<p>Look at Japan, no amount of economic&#x2F;financial manipulation has really helped them. Their main economic issues stem from the fact that there are not enough young people.<p>Aside from epidemics&#x2F;catastrophes, there has almost always been sustained population growth through human history. It is in our nature to multiply and expand. I feel this is why so many people are fascinated with space and space colonization.<p>The current demographic trends in western society is unprecedented and in my estimation, I do not think it will end well unless someone finds another solution, or these demographic trends are reversed.<p>Feel free to rip apart my theory. I would love to hear what someone with a better understanding of this area has to say.