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Does scientific progress depend on population growth?
No.11338450 ViewReplyOriginalReport
Quoted By: >>11338451 >>11339458 >>11340155 >>11340166 >>11340454 >>11340856
The world population has grown exponentially over the past few thousand years. During the same time, scientific and technological progress has seen a similarly fast rate of growth.
It makes sense. After all, more brains = more ideas = more scientific discoveries.
In recent years however, population growth is slowing down. In much of Western Europe and East Asia, population growth is flat or even negative. Recent WHO estimates show that the human population will stabilize between 9 billion and 10 billion sometime around 2050. The world population right now stands at 7.5 billion.
Does this mean that the rate of scientific progress will slow down? Given that the 20th century saw the fastest rate of human population growth, do you think the discoveries and advancements of the 21st century will be disappointing and lackluster in comparision?
It makes sense. After all, more brains = more ideas = more scientific discoveries.
In recent years however, population growth is slowing down. In much of Western Europe and East Asia, population growth is flat or even negative. Recent WHO estimates show that the human population will stabilize between 9 billion and 10 billion sometime around 2050. The world population right now stands at 7.5 billion.
Does this mean that the rate of scientific progress will slow down? Given that the 20th century saw the fastest rate of human population growth, do you think the discoveries and advancements of the 21st century will be disappointing and lackluster in comparision?
