
MIT Has Predicted that Society Will Collapse in 2040
Economics Explained
00:00
The Effect of Feedback Loops on the Future of the World
The world three programme had systems for modelling everything from birth rates to farming technology. The idea was that all these variables were very important to maintaining the modern life styles that we enjoy to day. But because they interact with one another, were prone to feedback loops. For example, declining birth rates can lead to an aging population. An aging population will put more financial pressure on younger workers to care for the elderly. And you are left with further declining birth rates. It's worth remembering that this report was published in 19 72, before climate change was more than a blip on the scientific community's radar and far from being the widely recognized issue it is today.
Transcript
Play full episode