The discussion revolves around the predictions made in "The Long Emergency" by James Howard Kunstler, focusing on the implications of declining oil reserves and increasing population. Participants explore the potential consequences of a "post oil" world, the viability of alternative energy sources, and the timeline for socio-economic impacts.
Participants do not reach a consensus on the predictions made by Kunstler or the timeline for potential crises. There are multiple competing views regarding the effectiveness of nuclear energy, the role of alternative energy sources, and the likelihood of socio-economic collapse.
Discussions include varying estimates on the longevity of uranium supplies and the potential for technological advancements to alter energy landscapes. Some participants note biases in data regarding energy sources and population stabilization.
Individuals interested in energy policy, environmental science, and socio-economic impacts of resource depletion may find the discussion relevant.
Perhaps a conflation of "estimation" and "extermination."russ_watters said:"extimating"?
These are statistics through 2005. It's grim.HIV prevalence rates vary greatly between African countries. In Somalia and Senegal the prevalence is under 1% of the adult population, whereas in South Africa and Zambia around 15-20% of adults are infected.
In four southern African countries, the national adult HIV prevalence rate has risen higher than was thought possible and now exceeds 20%. These countries are Botswana (24.1%), Lesotho (23.2%), Swaziland (33.4%) and Zimbabwe (20.1%).
West Africa has been less affected by HIV, but the prevalence rates in some countries are creeping up. Prevalence is estimated to exceed 5% in Cameroon (5.4%), Côte d'Ivoire (7.1%) and Gabon (7.9%).
Until recently the national prevalence rate has remained relatively low in Nigeria, the most populous country in Sub-Saharan Africa. The rate has grown slowly from below 2% in 1993 to 3.9% in 2005. But some states in Nigeria are already experiencing HIV infection rates as high as those now found in Cameroon. Already around 2.9 million Nigerians are estimated to be living with HIV.
Different things are going to happen to different countries. Some countries, like Egypt, will probably never be so overrun with AIDS that they will collapse. Are you looking for me to write a hundred page report on how AIDS will affect Africa? Sorry, it ain't going to happen.kyleb said:You answered in regard to 'some places', I'm asking in regard to the entire continent.
russ_watters said:Africa is going to take care of itself one way or another: either it'll become more affluent or AIDS will kill off the entire continent.