DOOMSDAY: UT professor says death is imminent

The Gazette-Enterprise (Texas) ^ | April 2, 2006 | Jamie Mobley

[adiaireton8]

AUSTIN — A University of Texas professor says the Earth would be better off with 90 percent of the human population dead.

“Every one of you who gets to survive has to bury nine,” Though his statements are admittedly bold, he’s not without abundant advocates. But what may set this revered biologist apart from other doomsday soothsayers is this: Humanity’s collapse is a notion he embraces.

Indeed, his words deal, very literally, on a life-and-death scale, yet he smiles and jokes candidly throughout the lecture. Disseminating a message many would call morbid, Pianka’s warnings are centered upon awareness rather than fear.

“This is really an exciting time,” he said Friday amid warnings of apocalypse, destruction and disease. Only minutes earlier he declared, “Death. This is what awaits us all. Death.” Reflecting on the so-called Ancient Chinese Curse, “May you live in interesting times,” he wore, surprisingly, a smile.

So what’s at the heart of Pianka’s claim?

6.5 billion humans is too many.

In his estimation, “We’ve grown fat, apathetic and miserable,” all the while leaving the planet parched.

The solution?

A 90 percent reduction.

That’s 5.8 billion lives — lives he says are turning the planet into “fat, human biomass.” He points to an 85 percent swell in the population during the last 25 years and insists civilization is on the brink of its downfall — likely at the hand of widespread disease.

“[Disease] will control the scourge of humanity,” Pianka said. “We’re looking forward to a huge collapse.”

[maggief]

"Obituary"


http://uts.cc.utexas.edu/~varanus/obit.html

[Caipirabob]

What the...? Did this freak have a tough time standing in a long line at Disney?

Condemning 90% of the human race? Now if he had limited it to 90% of Democrats, Socialists and Communists...No...No, Caipira...

[onyx]

Cripes. He even looks the part.

[browardchad]

Its a wonder they're around when they hate just being alive as much as they do.

No, they hate you and I being alive, and the thought that life will go on, with not even a hiccup, when they're gone. The more I think of it, these types fear their own death above all and so take comfort from wild-eyed apocalyptic forecasts in which all or most will perish, thus somehow making their own lonely and inevitable end less frightening to contemplate.

It's a good thing most of these enviro-whackos are egotistical whimps, because otherwise they'd make great suicide bombers. Instead, they become Kavorkian clients.

[jocon307]

"Like that show 'Numbers'. Can't that 'genius' comb his freakin'hair?"

LOL! I've tried and tried to watch that show, it just puts me to sleep every time.

[Schwaeky]

If mankind does not reduce the population by voluntary means, it will be reduced by far more unpleasant ones. There is a reason why Mormons are urged/required to store a year's supply of food at home.

Gee.. I need to remind some of my customers of that fact on the route (a few doz.of them are mormons).. Maybe they'll buy more...

[xarmydog]

There is a man who extremely handicapped,who is recognized as one of the smartest,If not the smartest man in the world.I cant recall his name even though I should know it by heart.[its 4 am and cant sleep.]I will beat myself to death over it but,oh well.He is a world renown physicist,and he predicts the world will destroy itself from virus,bacterial,if not other things.within 50 years.Coming from a man with impeccable credentials,it is definitely food for thought.Seeing what is out there now,makes it seem that there is a good chance that could very well happen.

[Redcloak]

If he were serious, this would be his obituary.

[MonroeDNA]

Why don't we start with him?

[ovrtaxt]

This nutjob would get along great with Margaret Sanger!

[Treader]

Please stop stockpiling. You are depleting the resources needed to keep sane human beings alive. Western snowpack & rainfall is at a record high. Idiot.

[CheyennePress]

I mean, honestly, you just look at that guy and know that he's a flaming liberal headcase. It's really only a question of which field he has implanted himself into.
I once had an ecology professor sit there in front of me and pull up his stained white t-shirt and pick lent out of his bellybutton. There's just something about these leftist academics that's never all the way there.

[dread78645]

Please stop stockpiling. You are depleting the resources needed to keep sane human beings alive. Western snowpack & rainfall is at a record high. Idiot.

Three months of food is a 'stockpile'?

[Socratic]

There's just something about these leftist academics that's never all the way there.

Yep, I'd dub him "Insane-ta Claus."

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

“Every one of you who gets to survive has to bury nine,”

How about we just bury this guy.

[EBH]

Pianka said, “Good terrorists would be taking [Ebola Roaston and Ebola Zaire] so that they had microbes they could let loose on the Earth that would kill 90 percent of people.”

I think this phrase may be far more telling...Homeland Security...calling Homeland Security...

[Gamecock]

I vote he leads by example. I'll supply the 12 gauge and the ammo.

I'm sure he has some like minded friends.

[bert]

Phd...... Piled high and deep.

He learned more and more about less and less til he knew nothing about anything.

[Tench_Coxe]

It is simply amazing that people who advocate like this professor does never seem to practice what they preach.
On a cautionary note: Never allow these people to get near to a position where they might carry their fantasies out with impunity.

[connectthedots]

Kind of like Tom Clancy's "rainbow 6".