21st Century Earth

For Further Discussion

Chapter 1

1. Al Gore and Paul Kennedy assert that overpopulation is leading to environmental harm, impoverishment, and instability within and among some nations. What else contributes to instability, according to Kennedy? How do you think Thomas Lambert would respond to Gore’s and Kennedy’s arguments? 2. Peter Schwartz argues that the impact of the global baby boom and the “global teenager” will dwarf other demographic factors for the next two generations. Wolfgang Lutz argues that an unprecedented increase in elderly populations will jolt the world’s demographic makeup. Based on your reading of these two viewpoints, which trend do you believe will have the greater impact on societies? Why? Evaluate both authors’ use of statistics. Which author uses statistics to sketch future social conditions"

Chapter 2

1. Herbert Kaufman contends that superintelligent machines in the future will evolve and work without the aid of humans, most likely coexisting with and.....

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