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There is room in the world, no doubt, for a great increase in population, supposing the arts of life to go on improving, and capital to increase. But even if innocuous, I confess I see little reason for desiring it. It is not good for man to be kept at all times in the presence of his species. A world from which solitude is extirpated, is a very poor ideal. –John Stuart Mill
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POPULATION & SOLITUDE
Optimists like to believe science will find ways to solve all problems created by rampant human population growth. Food shortages? “Science will find ways to make food out of bacteria.” Energy shortages? “Science will find ways to turn air into energy.” Water shortages? “Science will find economical ways to make ocean water potable.” There is one shortage caused by population growth even optimists admit science will have a hard time replacing: Solitude.
Continuing the John Stuart Mill quotation: “Solitude, in the sense of being often alone, is essential to any depth of meditation or of character; and solitude in the presence of natural beauty and grandeur, is the cradle of thoughts and aspiration which society could do ill without.”
Perhaps one day science will produce “Solitude Chambers” which people can enter to take walks in “virtual” woods, climb “virtual” mountains, survey “virtual” desert vistas, and study “virtual” creatures in “virtual” tide pools. Perhaps when the U.S. population reaches one billion, people will have become so accustomed to “virtual” reality and so sickened by oppressive humanity, they will welcome the relief provided by a machine that can mimic the sights, sounds, smells, and feel of the great outdoors. Perhaps.
For now, there are still many who would like their descendants to be able to take walks in real woods, climb real mountains, survey real desert vistas, and study real creatures in real tide pools--and to not have to make reservations a year in advance to do so.
So, not only does population growth deplete our supplies of water and energy, but also our supplies of quiet, calm, and contemplation.
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©2010 Californians for Population Stabilization. All Rights Reserved
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