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    A Plague of People
    A Plague of People
    A Plague of People
    Ebook431 pages6 hours

    A Plague of People

    By John Robinson

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    There are great threats to modern civilisation, which are now becoming evident. Past forecasts suggesting a global collapse around 2030 are proving robust. This book follows the development of understanding of the global predicament, building on a considerable body of research, to conclude that the collapse is now inevitable and that there has been, and will continue to be, an absence of preventative action. The subject is extremely important and of wide interest.
    The topic of the future of civilisation requires consideration of many subjects, of a number of interacting trends. A considerable body of information, from many sciences, many scholars and many collective enterprises, provides a description of the overshoot of global capacity, and a forecast of the collapse of modern civilisation. The major question has been whether mankind would change and avoid the catastrophe. Consideration of human behaviour, culture, political systems and social control explains why there has been no adequate response for the past forty years and why the destructive pattern will continue. Similarly, an analysis of long waves (Kondratieff cycles) in economies includes reference to the denial of any such fundamental instability by mainstream economics.
    The scope of the discussion is comprehensive, covering the interaction between many key issues such as overpopulation and climate change, resource shortages (including water, food and oil), with input ranging from computer models to the history of mankind. Dr Robinson has dealt with every question raised by the global picture, including the power of corporate fascism (the oligarchy or one-percent) in a controlled consumer society.
    This description will interest those with growing concerns among the general population, the many in voluntary organisations who desire a better understanding of a troubled world, and schools and tertiary institutions whose task is to educate the new generation in an understanding of the complex world.
    The challenge facing us all as humanity fills every ecological niche on earth demands a fundamental change, of political and economic organisation, as well as individual values – a global revolution. There have been a number of books dealing with such concerns, many of which are discussed here. The great majority fail to face the need for a significant change of culture, a paradigm shift, and thus conclude with hopes that the system that is the very cause of the challenge (including capitalism with its dependency on growth) can be tidied up, or that a universal acceptance of a beneficial religion or community effort can save the day without any challenge to the now dominant oligarchy. This book stands out for its brutal honesty and refusal of unrealistic hopes. It tells the true story of failure rather than presenting any unrealistic hope. The next generation will be best served by a robust presentation of a distressing situation, and this is a story of that coming collapse based on an extensive scientific analysis. The challenges ahead are best faced with clear understanding with our heads fearlessly held up, out of the sand.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherJohn Robinson
    Release dateFeb 27, 2013
    ISBN9780473239350
    A Plague of People
    Author

    John Robinson

    Dr John Robinson was born in Auckland, New Zealand in 1940. He has a BSc and masters degrees in mathematics (MSc) and physics (DipHons) from the University of Auckland and a doctorate (PhD) from MIT. He has lectured at several universities and worked as a research scientist – initially applying mathematics to physical problems, before moving to wide-ranging interdisciplinary studies for international organizations, combining information from global models with historical accounts and inappropriate cultural continuity at times of great stress. While at Applied Mathematics Division of the DSIR in 1974 he began a career in futures research. Subsequent wide-ranging interdisciplinary work has included contract work for DSIR, OECD, UNESCO, UNEP, UNU, the New Zealand Commission for the Future and the USA Foundation for the Future as well as contacts with the Club of Rome. Despite the lack of official interest in an overview of global developments and the challenge to the growth model in New Zealand since 1984, John has continued his research. His analysis of long waves in capitalist economies (Excess capital, 1989) forecast the current depression and he has described the New Zealand situation during the coming global crisis on in NZ 2030, the world’s lifeboat (2009). Since 1986 another part of his work has concerned Maori socio-economic issues. The considerable change of culture of Maori society when over three millennia of separate Polynesian culture ended with the coming of Europeans provided an example of the problems of a comprehensive culture change (or paradigm shift), as would be required if modern global society were to survive in a overpopulated and overstressed world. In each case a completely new situation arose. In each case the old culture persisted during a period of considerable disruption – now moving to a storm peak for global civilisation. John has published scientific articles in international journals, written many reports on global issues, edited a couple of books and written several books: Excess capital (1989, Technology Monitoring Associates, $25), Rebuilding New Zealand (1994, Technology Monitoring Associates, $15), Destroying New Zealand (1996, Technology Monitoring Associates, $15), New Zealand 2030, the world’s lifeboat (2009, Island Bay World Service), Cars at the end of an era, transport issues in the New Zealand greenhouse (2011, Friends of the Earth NZ, $20), The corruption of New Zealand democracy, a Treaty industry overview (2011, Tross Publishing, $20) When two peoples meet, the New Zealand experience (2012, Tross Publishing, $40), and Twisting the Treaty, a racial grab for wealth and power (2013, co-author, Tross Publishing, $40). Much of that research and experience has been made use of this book. The first 3 are available from me. New Zealand 2030, the world’s lifeboat is out of print. Cars at the end of an era, transport issues in the New Zealand greenhouse is available from Friends of the Earth NZ at PO Box 5599, Wellesley Street, Auckland 1141. The last 3 are published by Tross Publishing, website www.trosspublishing.co.nz, email address trosspublishing@hotmail.co.nz. Go well. It’s a beautiful world.

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