> I personally don't think a big population is
> a problem in itself (from an economic
> viewpoint). A big, well-educated population
> can be very productive, and a big economic
> benefit to the country. Indian programmers
> who sell their programming skills overseas
> through eLance is an example of this.

India's population IS a problem...

1: They have overgrown the capacity of their land to feed them. They NEED to import food. That is a problem.

2: The overly large population leads to disease situations. The infrastructure cannot keep up with the demand being placed on it. That is a problem.

3: The large population is breeding faster than resources can be utilised to accomodate them. That is a problem.

IF the population grows at a rate equal to or less than the available resources and technology and infrastructure, then the only problem a large population has to face is the capacity of the land to feed them.

Left to Mother Nature, all the overcrowded populations would go through a natural die off and balance would be obtained.

Cruel for sure. That's natures way.

As I think of the difference between the western world and the third world countries trying to "modernise" I realize the west got civilized/modern while populations were small, and then the populations grew at a balancing rate with the technology and infrstructure.

The the system(s) of those countries changed at the same time, in unison.

Giving "our" technology to the third world creates an unbalanced system.

If, way back before WE were civilized/modern, we were to have a family we would breed 7 offspring. We knew that 5 would die due to conditions of the time - no hygien, bad sewer, etc.

As the industrial revolution hit and we moved into cities away from the land, and as medicines were created and specialization took place, we naturally bred less (we were getting ahead in life and working) and needed to breed less because the offspring were living.

In India, much of the old ways still exist. People still have 7 kids. But now 5 live instead of the previous 2. Medicine has caught up with them but NOT lifestyle.

The poor uneducated breed FASTER than the better off educated. (It's the same in every country - even modern countries.)

As long as this keeps up in India - and there is no sign anything is changing soon - then India is fighting a losing battle. No matter how many skilled programers they have.

This will lead to a humanitarian catastrophe of untold proportions.

DRASTIC CHANGES need to take place to avoid it.

Michael Ross