Daily Archives: June 18, 2019

A fascinating article has been published by the Pew Foundation on June 17, 2019, based on a report from the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population division, “World Population prospects 2019.”

Here are some sample graphics from the article, which can be found at https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2019/06/17/worlds-population-is-projected-to-nearly-stop-growing-by-the-end-of-the-century/

World population growth is projected to flatten by 2100.

The global fertility rate is expected to be 1.9 births per woman by 2100, down from 2.5 today. 2.1 is replacement value – the rate of birth at which the population neither rises nor falls.

African population growth to remain strong until 2100.
African population to be the youngest in 2100

Never would have thunk it! India will eventually surpass China as the world’s most populous country, but Africa’s population will be almost as large as Asia’s by 2100. Africa is the heart chakra of the planet. The continent has been abused for centuries and held down. Perhaps, in the 21st century, Africa will cause humanity to become more heart-centered. We certainly could use an infusion of good vibes!

NBC News did an excellent program on the Chinese social credit system, which essentially creates a police state using artificial intelligence, complete with “tattlers” who spy on their neighbors and report suspicious conduct to the authorities. I am posting this program without comment, other than to say that the equivalent in the US is the intelligence-community-monitored Big Tech information gathering companies like Facebook, Google, Twitter, Apple, etc. The CCP (Chinese Communist Party) hasn’t yet perfected the social credit system, which (the program says) will take another 5–15 years. If you have ever seen the program “Person of Interest” you will recognize the sesame credit system as similar to the one in that program.

In a nation of 1.4 billion people, it’s important to have social stability. But at what cost? Here we have an example of East-West cultural differences. Western societies are younger and place more emphasis on individual freedoms. Eastern cultures are more concerned with social harmony. The point is, how do you achieve social harmony?

In both Western Big Tech and the Chinese Sesame Credit system, algorithms and AI are used to regulate human conduct. (See “Algorithms have gotten out of control. It's time to regulate them,” The Week, Navneet Alang, 3 April 2019, https://theweek.com/articles/832948/algorithms-have-gotten-control-time-regulate)

China is the leader of the East, the US is the leader in the West. You can see the similar development of human regulation in both areas. East-West is again part of the light-dark duality, which humanity is resolving now.

It’s something to think about in this monumental battle for the heart and soul of humanity. On the one hand, coming together is a divine impulse and it represents cooperation and harmony. On the other hand, a forced state-sponsored police state is not the answer. OUR choices will make the difference whether freedom or tyranny is the theme for future generations of the human race. The time to decide is now.