I don't know why anyone ever proposes to solve overpopulation problems with this method. As your example numbers illustrate, it does seem rather infeasible. However, I dislike when this argument is used as a means of refuting the possibility and benefits of any and all off-world colonization attempts (it isn't evident if this is the stance of the parent or not, so forgive me if I'm being too critical). The summary of this attitude seems to be "if we can't fix everything in one fell swoop, why bother trying to leave this rock at all?" The potential benefits of space colonisation have been thoroughly discussed on Slashdot, including exploitation of new resources, spurring the development of new technologies, and the concept of an off-site backup for our DNA and our species.
To get back on topic, it is irrelevant if shipping "excess" humans off-world can solve overpopulation. What is relevant is that the mechanism of exponential growth could potentially allow an entire galaxy to be settled in a (relatively) timely fashion. The result may not be pretty, with a multitude of overpopulated worlds, but it is possible nonetheless.
Season 6, episode 20: the chase. This could also be viewed as a rationalization as to why the different species all look similar to humans (aside from the obvious constraint that all the actors are really human).
While I agree that there is definitely too much bigotry and intolerance in Alberta, it's not all originating from the caucasians. A few days ago in downtown Calgary I had the unfortunate experience of being pestered for money by a Native American (not at all an uncommon occurrence). After I refused to give him a handout, he then proceeded to criticize me for being white, claiming that I was not a true Canadian.
The ironic part is that I am Metis (barely, the majority of my ancestry is European), and by likening me to some evil imperialistic European who conquered his homeland (a grievance I can definitely understand and sympathize with), he was in effect alienating one of the few people who might champion his cause someday. I tried to handle the situation diplomatically and explain that we were more alike than he thought, but alas, it was to no avail.
Or ICTTDBAIAAA
(I can't tell the difference between an initialism and an acronym).
For anyone who doesn't know the difference but would like to, it is an acronym when pronounced as a word, whereas an initialism is spelled out letter by letter in speech.
I'm also a senior civil engineering student, and I am inclined to agree that not all cracks are a problem. Some degree of micro-cracking in concrete is inevitable. One of the purposes of aggragate in concrete is to stop the propagation of these cracks before they spread and exceed a critical length.
Slashdot Mirror
http://xkcd.com/566/
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scrabble
See definition 3a of the intransitive verb. It actually made sense.
I think there's a missing word or two there. The comparison is almost certainly being made about nuclear plants, hence the mention of a fuel cycle.
http://www.xkcd.com/623/
Seconded.
I don't know why anyone ever proposes to solve overpopulation problems with this method. As your example numbers illustrate, it does seem rather infeasible. However, I dislike when this argument is used as a means of refuting the possibility and benefits of any and all off-world colonization attempts (it isn't evident if this is the stance of the parent or not, so forgive me if I'm being too critical). The summary of this attitude seems to be "if we can't fix everything in one fell swoop, why bother trying to leave this rock at all?" The potential benefits of space colonisation have been thoroughly discussed on Slashdot, including exploitation of new resources, spurring the development of new technologies, and the concept of an off-site backup for our DNA and our species.
To get back on topic, it is irrelevant if shipping "excess" humans off-world can solve overpopulation. What is relevant is that the mechanism of exponential growth could potentially allow an entire galaxy to be settled in a (relatively) timely fashion. The result may not be pretty, with a multitude of overpopulated worlds, but it is possible nonetheless.
Season 6, episode 20: the chase. This could also be viewed as a rationalization as to why the different species all look similar to humans (aside from the obvious constraint that all the actors are really human).
are THAT ugly, are they?
All jokes aside, a quick google image search suggests that is not the case.
While I agree that there is definitely too much bigotry and intolerance in Alberta, it's not all originating from the caucasians. A few days ago in downtown Calgary I had the unfortunate experience of being pestered for money by a Native American (not at all an uncommon occurrence). After I refused to give him a handout, he then proceeded to criticize me for being white, claiming that I was not a true Canadian.
The ironic part is that I am Metis (barely, the majority of my ancestry is European), and by likening me to some evil imperialistic European who conquered his homeland (a grievance I can definitely understand and sympathize with), he was in effect alienating one of the few people who might champion his cause someday. I tried to handle the situation diplomatically and explain that we were more alike than he thought, but alas, it was to no avail.
I'm probably replying too late for most people to read this, but I noticed an error of at least an order of magnitude.
Double check Australia's military spending. It's actually more than Canada's.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_and_federations_by_military_expenditures
$23 billion, not $3 billion.
Or ICTTDBAIAAA (I can't tell the difference between an initialism and an acronym). For anyone who doesn't know the difference but would like to, it is an acronym when pronounced as a word, whereas an initialism is spelled out letter by letter in speech.
squall: n. A loud, harsh cry. (Your definition is also correct)
The inflatable dam at Ramspol in the Netherlands comes to mind as well.
I'm also a senior civil engineering student, and I am inclined to agree that not all cracks are a problem. Some degree of micro-cracking in concrete is inevitable. One of the purposes of aggragate in concrete is to stop the propagation of these cracks before they spread and exceed a critical length.