Ishmael: A Short Story

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Recommended: Introduction in overpopulation

As I was in the taxi on my way to visit Ishmael, I was wondering what might I ask him. With so many possible topics I was struggling to find one that would be an appropriate use of my short time with him. As the taxi pulled up to the building in which his office resided an idea came into mind. I walked inside only to be greeted by a pane of glass with Ishmael on the other side. I sat down and looked intently at Ishmael.

He looked at me as if expecting me to start the conversation. So that is what I did.
“Over population is a major problem facing society today. Have you heard that recently China has removed it’s one child law?”
Ishmael stared at me and gave me a small nod, as if to acknowledge his understanding.
“Well my question to you is, …show more content…

“Now consider this, takers can’t see the future well. If something is working currently, they will not look to the future to determine what the outcome might be. What would lead them to determine that they required a law to limit the growth of the population?”
“Well, as you just said, takers only look at the current situation so they must have understood that even with their advanced technology they could not sustain everyone who is alive.” Pausing for a moment to gather the rest of my thoughts, “They realized that they needed to limit their population because their acknowledged a flaw in their way of living.”
“Very good.” Ishmael responded, “Let me outline a situation, feel free to ask questions at any time. Two groups are living in adjacent villages. One group hunts, fishes, and gathers all of their food. The other has farms and raises livestock.”
Interrupting I say “So the fist village contained leavers and the second takers.”
Nodding his head he continues, “Both groups have the same population and begin to run out of food. What does each group …show more content…

The agricultural village will simply expand its farms to allow for more food and therefore allow for more population, a never ending cycle.”
“But what happens if they are next to a cliff and the only way they can expand is into the other villages

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