"Gloomy" mindset--or realism?

• Author: Bleier, Ronald
• Position: From Readers - Letter to the Editor

Thanks to Guy Dauncey for his letter pointing readers to the example of Tikopia, a tiny island thousands of miles to the west of Easter Island [From Readers, November/December 2003]. Mr. Dauncey cites reports that the Tikopians kept their population down to a sustainable 1,700 members through such methods as abortion and infanticide, limiting progeny to the first born, shifting to permaculture, and eliminating pigs from their husbandry and diet.

I take issue with Mr. Dauncey's description of those of us who see in Easter Island a parable for the fate of the Earth. He suggests that we are characterized by a gloomy mindset or given over to despair. On the contrary. I see our view as distinguished by a sense of realism and even hope that by pointing to overpopulation and resource depletion we may gain converts in the cause of a sustainable human civilization.

We'd be happy...