Why are we saving more lives in Africa when it is over populated because of unnatural outside intervention?
One of the main causes of poverty in Africa is introduction of western medicine. Before couples were having 7 kids because only 2-3 would survive, but when the western doctors went in all 7 would survive. It sounds nice "all 7 kids survived", but it’s actually a disaster because couple could only afford to raise 2-3 kids.
As a result all 7 kids survived, but only so they could fight for scraps and thrive in poverty for the rest of their lives. Even now with all the disease, civil wars (caused by over population), and death African population is still growing at a staggering rate in economies that cannot support the current population.
So why do doctors and aid workers feel it's a good idea to introduce “more” foreign medicine to help a population grow at an unnatural rate, when their medicine and vaccines is the one of the root causes of this suffering in the first place?
Answer:
First, let me just say that we should not view death as something ABNORMAL, and something we should freely prevent. Death is as normal as life, and for us to "blindly" save life is in many ways very unnatural. That’s why the National Geographic’s cameraman isn’t going around saving cute Gazelles from the mouths of Cheetahs.
It is a fact that Africa is over populated, with an increasing population growth that scares the hell out of every Economist who pays attention to it. Unfortunately, there are a lot of Economist, who would be considered “compassionate” but IGNORE THESE FACTS.
Doctors do not realize the long-term damage from their short term actions because it is not in their scope of duty. The doctor’s job is to save lives so they are not thinking about the development of a society, and that’s not wrong with that. However it doesn’t mean there are no NEGATIVE repercussions for their actions. From their perspective, their only responsibility is to save live. Things like development and family finances are not their concern.
Doctors, aid workers, and many people in the western world DO NOT SEE the poverty problem from all angles, and CAUSES. Not even economists who study Africa want to address the “population” issue because despite how pivotal it is, because it is also very sensitive. (The stupid thing is it is more sensitive to the West than it is to Africans, but guess who’s going to suffer?). Instead they talk about resource management, and education, which are very important, but they ignore the population issue. (Can you imagine all the protesters, threats, and insults you would get you proposed a plan the would help African development by attacking the population issue? Look at what’s already happened with this question.)
I think western medicine has an unnatural effect on African population, but not sure about the extent.
Ok, I’m going to call some people out. “Moderateprofessor”, I doubt you are will ever be an educator. You and “Sucka” wanted to sound like if you value life more than the person asking the question. Now, let me also point out that you TWO are the only ones RESORTING to INSULTS, and NAME CALLING.
The fact you two cannot see the question for what it is and attacking the person asking the question means you must be self-righteous liberals…..no, honestly, it was the name calling that gave that away. I’m an independent who voted for JK last election, but I’m really sick of that kind of baseless analysis that from “gentle, peace loving” liberals who always ends up resorting to childish insults. FYI: Population growth has a direct effect on poverty and the economy. That’s considered general knowledge, and sourcing that is like sourcing the fact that Starbucks is an American company.
First of all, these are people you're talking about. They aren't just numbers you know. Secondly, you are right that population problems can bring about poverty, but also wealth often reduces the amount of children couples have. Finally, the fact that some world leaders... ahem Bush... don't believe in introducing condoms but rather the approach of abstinence, despite the advice of most medical professionals, contributes to the problem of population. Clearly, there are practical ways to reduce the population growth there that are much more humane than letting nature fight it out, but it takes time and money. Have some patience. I'd be appalled if all those people trying to save that continent got on a ship and left.
What is your source? To make claims like that, you had better cite your source.
I think that you are looking at the problem with no compassion or any semblance of empathy. Your argument is also rather crude.
Your solution would be to stop aid so that the herd thins back down? Perhaps we could start with solving the problem of global overpopulation by sterilizing you.
i hope this doesn't sound bigoted ,but why cant they start them on birth control then take care of the sickness i love my 4 children but after4 i got fixed I'm i wrong?
If I was GOD, I would send a plague to kill half the planet's population because there are too many people and they might starve. What an ashole.
Our duty as humanity is to help others, not let them die. You know deep inside you have a better answer than the one you offered today. Japan is overpopulated. Maybe helping africa become more capitalistic/democratic/modern is the key. Would you help them catch up? Or easily let them starve and give excuses so you feel better.
Sorry, but as long as they are generating funds organizations like aid for Africa will be trying to extend the flow of money, and if they were actually trying to help anyone but themselves they would have by now, 37 years ago we had the same propaganda shoved down our throats and collected door to door and nothing has changed, and people like Madonna have popularized a cause that money cannot change. There are genuine people who have devoted years of their lives to try and help but as long as these organizations are making money they don't want to see it end. As long as people throw money at anything it will not stop.
I can see where you are coming from but the point is that its not us saving kids that is the problem its the fact that there is no education, no concept of family planning you cant leave the people there to die. On the other hand you cant perpetually go on ignoring the problem of overpopulation in africa so what the solution could be in my opinion is to provide free contraception its cheap (cheaper that sustaining 7 kids and providing free antiretrovirals for all those kids in need of medication at leat) and will work. The problem with just saving kids isnt the fact that they cant be sustained its the fact that nobody provides for a long term solution.
It's nothing to do with western medicine!
Any population who could not manage their resources well and efficient could have same problem. There is no overpopulation in Africa compare to America, Asia and Europe. The very root causes of African poverty and famine is, because Europeans overused their land resources and Americans took their best man power as slave for centuries. Millions died in long slave voyages to Americas. Later when Africans wanted their freedom, white man left. And Africans went into chaos and could not continue western type of farming without help of white people. They were uneducated and oppressed poeple for centuries.
White people used and abused them for centuries and when things turned off, left them alone. When famine started, landlords and dictators arose in Africa, and Europeans and Americans did not help them to establish democracy and technology.
They fall in internal war because of lack of resources and democracy. The result looks like they can't manage their people and resources, but in reality Europeans and Americans are responsible in the root causes.
For the moment there is only humanitarian helps as food and some medicine. Every day 20 thousand childs (younger than 5 years) alone die from hunger and disease.
This is the picture you must see, otherwise you become an arogant ignorant.
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Give him a break this is what a democracy is for.
Some of you are clearly just attacking the person because he is contradicting your personal beliefs.
I agree that the question doesn't come across as compassionate, and maybe even makes him look like an a-hole, but I think it is pointing out some facts most people are ignoring.
1) over population is the cause of a lot of suffering.
2) Why is Africa over populated? Is it because of natural development, or because of "outside" technological influence. This part of the question is subject to debate.
We have all seen nations slide into chaos because GUNS are introduced to societies, medicine is not necessarily that different.
3) What is being alive? I personally think being alive is the ability to thrive and have an opportunity to contribute to society, not just so I can breath and fight for food with my brothers who are in poverty.
I think that fighting poverty without the emphasis on population control is like trying to swim up a waterfall.
As for me, I do not think I can ever say that it is wrong to give aid for people who need it, but on the Macro level yes this is a valid point. I can never act on this kind of reasoning, but it does not mean this reasoning is wrong.
I don't think you are a heartless jerk, but i can see how your question can come across the wrong way.
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