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History Unplugged Podcast

Humanity’s Past Suggests We Only Have 10,000 Years to Change or Go Extinct

Mar 27, 2025
Henry Gee, author of "The Decline and Fall of the Human Empire," dives into the precarious state of humanity's future. He discusses the alarming slowdown of population growth and its potential consequences, including resource depletion and ecological threats. Highlighting the urgency for space colonization, he argues we have a mere 10,000 years to adapt or face extinction. With insights from paleontology, Gee underscores the need for cooperation and innovation to navigate these challenges. Can we change our course in time?
53:19

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Human population growth is declining for the first time in 10,000 years, posing significant challenges for resource availability and human survival.
  • Successful space colonization within the next two centuries may be crucial for humanity's survival, emphasizing the need for innovative problem-solving and cooperation.

Deep dives

Population Growth Trends

The rate of human population growth is experiencing a significant slowdown for the first time in over 10,000 years, with projections indicating that this decline will accelerate in the coming decades. In 2022, China's population reached its peak, marking a turning point that suggests potential population decreases globally by the mid-century. This shift implies a range of challenges, including new diseases and the diminishing availability of essential resources like arable land and water. Analyzing these trends reveals patterns that echo past extinction events in other species, giving a stark indication of what might lie ahead for humanity.

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