[wellylug] Disaster IT in New Orleans & Emergency LiveCD's

[jumbophut]

On 10/5/05, Adam Bogacki wrote:
> "Anyone who believes that exponential growth can go on forever in a
> finite world is either a madman or an economist."     --- Kenneth E.
> Boulding
>
A big "no growth" movement emerged in the 1960s, predicated on the
idea that we were on the verge of running out of natural resources. 
We're still waiting for their predictions to come true.

Exponential growth _can_ go on for ever in a finite world, as long as
that growth is not reliant on growth in the exponentially growing use
of finite resources.  There are plenty of renewable resources --
solar, wind , and hydro for power, biomass for food, energy and
materials.  Other resources are finite, but we use so little of them
and they are so plentiful that the sun will burn out before they are
exploited (uranium is probably in this category).

In addition, it is important that growth continues because although
some of us feel that we are quite comfortable on current incomes, it
is not yet possible to give everyone a standard of living which allows
people to live comfortably and free of the diseases and other
inconveniences of poverty.  Redistribution of income may ease the
problems up to a point, but cannot not yet eliminate them.  And if you
redistribute too much, productivity suffers and you actually end up
worse off.

None of this is to deny that we have a responsibility to future
generations to care for the environment and ensure that we are not
robbing future Pauls to pay today's Peters, but the "no growth" mantra
is one usually preached by people in rich countries, often
well-educated and from well-off backgrounds, who don't have to worry
about access to healthcare, three square meals a day and shelter.

Sorry for the off-topic reply, but simplistic preachy sigs get up my nose.

Disclosure: I walk to work in one direction, and use public transport
in the other; I have an energy-efficient heat-pump and use
energy-saving light-bulbs in my house; I recycle and avoid
pre-packaged food; I do not work for an oil company or other
"exploiter" of natural resources.  I _like_ the idea of being sparing
on the environment.  I just don't believe we have to go into statis to
achieve that.

--
Tony (echo 'spend!,pocket awide' | sed 'y/acdeikospntw!, /l at omcgtjuba.phi/')