The Overpopulation FAQs is about overpopulation, not necessarily water scarcity. Water scarcity can contribute to overpopulation, but it is only one of multiple potential causes.
My point is that when LessWrongers see not enough water for a given population, we try tofix the water not the people.
I wrote that EA is mostly misguided because it makes faulty assumptions. And to the contrary, I did praise a few things about EA.
Yes, I read your argument that preventing people from dying of starvation and/or disease is bad:
In some ways, the justification for EA assumes a fallacy of composition since EA believes that people can and should help everyone.
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To the contrary, I’d argue that a lot of charities that supposedly have the greatest amount of “good” for humanity would contribute to overpopulation, which would negate their benefits in the long run. For example, programs to prevent malaria, provide clean water, and feed starving families in Sub-Saharan Africa would hasten the Earth’s likelihood of becoming overpopulated and exacerbate dysgenics.
So yes, maybe this is my cult programming, but I would rather we do the hard work of supporting a higher population (solar panels, desalination, etc.) than let people starve to death.
My point is that when LessWrongers see not enough water for a given population, we try to fix the water not the people.
That’s also what I proposed. On my Georgism page, I explained that I support taxing water so that water will be used more efficiently. In the Overpopulation FAQs, I explained why that’s only a temporary solution, not a long-term solution to overpopulation, but you didn’t know that because you never bothered to read it and engage with the arguments that I made.
I read your argument that preventing people from dying of starvation and/or disease is bad:
And you’re still misrepresenting it. I didn’t say that it’s “bad”, I explained that it’s putting the cart before the horse. Abundant food and increased disease resistance would increase the population and the risk of overpopulation. If we have a viable long-term solution to overpopulation, then we won’t have to worry about that if we proceed to reduce starvation and disease.
I would rather we do the hard work of supporting a higher population.
Solar panels have a low EROI, so they are an inefficient use of resources.
Desalination
Desalination could work in some areas, but it also has environmental consequences, and it would be better to focus on using water more efficiently in many countries.
My point is that when LessWrongers see not enough water for a given population, we try to fix the water not the people.
Yes, I read your argument that preventing people from dying of starvation and/or disease is bad:
So yes, maybe this is my cult programming, but I would rather we do the hard work of supporting a higher population (solar panels, desalination, etc.) than let people starve to death.
That’s also what I proposed. On my Georgism page, I explained that I support taxing water so that water will be used more efficiently. In the Overpopulation FAQs, I explained why that’s only a temporary solution, not a long-term solution to overpopulation, but you didn’t know that because you never bothered to read it and engage with the arguments that I made.
And you’re still misrepresenting it. I didn’t say that it’s “bad”, I explained that it’s putting the cart before the horse. Abundant food and increased disease resistance would increase the population and the risk of overpopulation. If we have a viable long-term solution to overpopulation, then we won’t have to worry about that if we proceed to reduce starvation and disease.
I explained in rigorous, comprehensive depth that raising the carrying capacity is not long-term solution to overpopulation, not without population control.
I also explained that population control would protect human rights, rather than harm them.
Solar panels have a low EROI, so they are an inefficient use of resources.
Desalination could work in some areas, but it also has environmental consequences, and it would be better to focus on using water more efficiently in many countries.