I've realized that every time I go to the produce section of a supermarket, I get depressed. There are a few reasons for this. I see fruit and vegetables that are brought in from all over the world, just to rot. When I am feeling around for stuff that is ripe to my liking, I am sometimes tempted to take things that aren't perfect, because I know they are going to go to waste. These items are not rotting or defected to the point where they are deemed sale-worthy, either (meaning that they are not going to get separated and put on a discount shelf). So, the idea of tons of produce going to waste depresses me. As a sidenote, buying locally is a nice idea, but is not even an option in my Brooklyn neighborhood.
Then, I start thinking about the earth's dwindling ability to produce food for its entire population in general. I just don't see how it can be done in a responsible way in the future. If it's not done responsibly now- what is going to happen when desperation enters the picture?
I'll tell you what is going to happen- the Cornucopians are going to step in. They already have. (Note: I try to block out most of what I learned studying politics in college, but occasionally, it rears its hideously realist, debbie-downer head.) Cornucopians essentially feel that increasing demand for dwindling supply can always be met due to advances in technology. That is my own, personal description. They are optimists and believe that science will always have an answer to any problems that arise. They don't get depressed in the produce section of the grocery store.
People like me get depressed at the grocery store. This guy back at the start of the 19th century named Thomas Malthus wrote about the potential problems that would arise with population and agriculture. His ideas counter those of Cornucopians, and predict that eventually, there will be widespread poverty since population will supersede the ability to produce food. A term for this is a Malthusian Catastrophe, and it is often extended beyond food sources, into oil supply and economic growth. We see this happening already. (And those things also depress me, but that's for another day...)
Now, Cornucopians will argue that constant advances in technology will prevent widespread famine from occurring. Genetically modified food is a perfect example. But in my eyes, quick answers to long-term problems have the potential to be devastating beyond repair. In a Cornucopian's eyes, there will always be a way to fix something wrong, and if that solution has negative effects, than they will just find a way to fix it. Interestingly enough, most of the men I date are of the Cornucopian ilk. Maybe that's why I date them- for their innovation and positivity. Or maybe they just pretend to be that way, to make us both feel better.
Yes. This is what goes through my mind as I walk through the aisles of the grocery store, feeling up the fruit.
