[JasonC]

Wrong, more productive population produces the wealth that feeds itself. World population has risen enourmously over 2 centuries and real prices have fallen, and real wealth per capita risen, by equally enourmous amounts in direct consequence. Malthus was wrong the minute he put pen to paper and he has been more resoundingly wrong every decade since. Population is not the problem, other men are not our enemies, but our collaborators in the whole process of production.

[RightWhale]

The classical demand/supply curve is incorrect and obviously does not apply to much of anything except sleeping Econ101 students. The econ plane flies true when it is properly trimmed and the balance point is slightly ahead of the aerodynamic pressure center point. Too far ahead and the plane cannot maneuver; behind and the plane will be uncontrollable.