Thomas Robert Malthus

Created the theory that birth rate would grow faster than food supplies could be increased. The surplus people would have to die (starvation). People will tend to increase at a geometric rate (1, 2, 4, 8, 16), while food supplies and technology will tend to increase at an arithmetic rate (1, 2, 3, 4, 5). This theory was presented in the 1800's and has all but come true.


 * Period A & B: There is enough food produced to feed all
 * Period C: 1/4 of people starving/malnourished
 * Period D: 1/2 of people starving/malnourished
 * And so on...

This has caused demographers to study very carefully the theory and science of Doubling Time.

Next set of notes: The Brandt Report