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MIT Institute's Gloomy Prediction: 'Global Economic Collapse' By 2030

suraj.sun writes "A new study from researchers at Jay W. Forrester's institute at MIT says that the world could suffer from 'global economic collapse' and 'precipitous population decline' if people continue to consume the world's resources at the current pace. The study's researchers created a computing model to forecast different scenarios based on the current models of population growth and global resource consumption, different levels of agricultural productivity, birth control and environmental protection efforts. Most of the computer scenarios found population and economic growth continuing at a steady rate until about 2030. But without 'drastic measures for environmental protection,' the scenarios predict the likelihood of a population and economic crash."

15 of 816 comments (clear)

  1. Couldn't have called that one. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    In other news, the sun is bright.

  2. Well this could be a bad thing by AbrasiveCat · · Score: 5, Funny

    How do we keep the Internet running? Come on, this is about priories.

    1. Re:Well this could be a bad thing by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

      I'm sure that the Good Brothers of the St. Leibowitz Priory can help here. They just need enough novices to keep the threadmill running.

  3. Good news by Gothmolly · · Score: 3, Funny

    Some times you just need to start over. I'm well stocked with solver coins, shotgun shells, peanut butter, and tampons. I'll be able to trade for whatever I need in the collapse.

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    I want to delete my account but Slashdot doesn't allow it.
  4. Re:Good Timing! by Joce640k · · Score: 2, Funny

    I think he means the childless will have more money for stockpiling food/ammo than the ones who are currently sinking everything into minivans and designer sports accessories.

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    No sig today...
  5. Re:WAY TO GO, MIT! by Austerity+Empowers · · Score: 4, Funny

    Historically everyone who has predicted the end of the world has been wrong. Some guys twice in a row.

  6. But, but, but by cvtan · · Score: 1, Funny
    Michelle Duggar says the entire world's population could fit in Jacksonville Florida:

    Michelle Duggar, star of TLC's reality show, "19 Kids and Counting", says there needs to be more children because our world needs more joy. And as for overpopulation? That's just a lie, Duggar recently said in an interview. "The idea of overpopulation is not accurate," Duggar says, because the entire population of the world could fit inside of Jacksonville, Florida. --"I agree with Mother Teresa when she said, 'to say that there are too many children is like saying there are too many flowers,'" Duggar said. Read more: http://www.city-data.com/forum/parenting/1539119-michelle-duggar-overpopulation-lie.html#ixzz1rB2V8ta0--

    Anything on reality TV must be true. What she means is that everyone she knows could fit in Jacksonville.

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    Sorry, but gray text on gray background is making my eyes bleed.
  7. Re:Good Timing! by hoggoth · · Score: 3, Funny

    Screw that, I'm breeding my own personal army.

    --
    - For the complete works of Shakespeare: cat /dev/random (may take some time)
  8. Re:Good Timing! by Chrisq · · Score: 4, Funny

    Screw that, I'm breeding my own personal army.

    Hey, is that you Jango Fett

  9. Re:Good Timing! by Gilmoure · · Score: 5, Funny

    They had it upside down. World ends in 5105.

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    I drank what? -- Socrates
  10. Re:Club of Rome Study 2 by Troyusrex · · Score: 2, Funny

    Idiot Malthusians have predicted the imminent end of the world due to overpopulation for hundreds of years. Every time they go out on a limb and say the end will be by a given date, they are outed for the charlatans that they are.

    It turns out the original study said "Everything will be great! Just like the previous 500 years technology will continue to do more with less and everyone in the world will be substantially better off. A true golden age is upon us". Then when no one cared they decided to change it to gloom and doom so they could garner a little press.

  11. Re:WAY TO GO, MIT! by lorenlal · · Score: 5, Funny

    Except us. Fortunately, I'm already working on my remote outpost. There's a decent water source, and it happens to be a great place for harvesting methane.

    In addition, I've got a short guy, and a really big guy who work well together. I also have a few designs for a small coliseum in the center for entertainment.

  12. Re:Club of Rome Study 2 by tmosley · · Score: 4, Funny

    I think we have a candidate for "most fitting user name" right here.

    When you don't have an argument, just use ad hominem!

  13. Re:Good Timing! by Zocalo · · Score: 3, Funny

    Well, that's what you get for living in the southern hemisphere. It'd be much easier if they'd just stand the right way up like those of us in the north do.

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    UNIX? They're not even circumcised! Savages!
  14. Re:Good Timing! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    Was it upside down and rotated pi rads? Only way for 2s to become 5s is vertical flip; the only way for the 1 and 0 to switch is through rotation. I suppose it could be mirrored horizontally ( 2012 | 5105 ) but thats not exactly upside down.