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The world is over populated. No one can dispute that. We don’t have enough food, we don’t have a sustainable way forwards, and realistically for a healthy world we need to stop procreating at our current rate.

There’s plenty of information/propaganda/etc on the topic out there. If you break it down to the basics, essentially humans have reduced the number of situations in their life in which they can end. Medicine is lengthening our lives considerably. People are far less likely to die from disease nowadays. Food, albeit debatable as to whether or not it is healthy, is able to be produced in greater and greater quantities as the population increases.

World Population Growth

My fiancee and I have spoken a fair bit about the possibility of not having children. Not to the point where we have made a decision on whether or not to have kids,but it’s nice to know that the option is there (especially when the female in the relationship brings it up!).

I’m well aware by now, that I over think my decisions. I rarely act on impulse – maybe when I’m drunk or something. When it’s a life changing decision, like career, relationships, buying property and so on, I really think it through. It’s a good thing sometimes, but for having children, I ask myself “How can I bring a child into this world”.

Maybe it’s my cynical view on the earth – my need for something more. I’m not happy with the way that the human race lives. Our lifestyle, diet, and general values are just so misplaced – and it only appears to be getting worse. While I’m happy to be the odd one out and hold my “different” opinions, given what I know and what I believe in, wouldn’t it be irresponsible to force a child to live in that world?

One thing is for sure, we need to drop our population. Is this one of those situations where we say “what difference can one person make?” or should we really act on our beliefs? Obviously someone needs to have children, otherwise there is no future for the human race, but whether or not I am one of those people, I’m yet to decide.

I’m lucky enough to have been sent to Queensland this week for work. I am here to attend a training/conference/expo of sorts called Microsoft Tech.ed.

Upon arrival to the conference I was given a HP netbook – a HP Mini 2140 to be precise. I’m a massive geek and I love this thing (I’m typing this blog entry on it right now).

I just can’t believe how image driven Queensland is. I know everyone, everywhere is somewhat driven by image, but never before have I seen people so driven by image that their lives evolve around it. Talking to Queenslanders, watching them walk around on the streets, seeing the numerous mini trucks, heavily modified v8′s and turbo cars everywhere, not to mention people riding choppers, etc, etc – it’s just a state driven by looking good – at any cost! They are all trying to keep up with eachother, even though only few of them can afford to.

Obviously this sort of thing happens everywhere – certainly in Adelaide where I live, but just not on this scale.

While I’ve been here I’ve also had some time to catch up with my sister who lives in Queensland too. It’s been great to catch up with her, and finally meet my niece – who is just awesome.

Spending time with my sister and her family has once again reinforced my opinion that “things” and ”stuff” is just so unnecessary. I completely understand that people need their hobbies, they need their few luxuries, but at what cost?

This isn’t a dig at the state at all – it’s beautiful up here… In areas anyway. I’ve considered the idea of moving up here a fair few times now (although never seriously enough to talk with my fiancee about it). I just don’t know if I could keep up with everyone else. I really think that to survive in Queensland you need to be very career drive, have very well of parents, or be happy to live a life of eternal debt.