Democracy cannot survive overpopulation.
Interpretation
Overpopulation threatens the stability and function of democratic societies.
Isaac Asimov's quote highlights the critical relationship between population dynamics and the viability of democracy. When a population grows beyond sustainable limits, it can lead to resource scarcity, social unrest, and a breakdown of democratic processes, thus conforming to the idea that democracy relies on a balance between population size and available resources.
In practice
During a debate on sustainable development, one might quote Asimov to emphasize the need for population control measures.
Democracy cannot survive overpopulation. Human dignity cannot survive it. Convenience and decency cannot survive it. As you put more and more people into the world, the value of life not only declines, but it disappears. It doesn't matter if someone dies.
Science does not promise absolute truth, nor does it consider that such a thing necessarily exists. Science does not even promise that everything in the Universe is amenable to the scientific process.
Although the time of death is approaching me, I am not afraid of dying and going to Hell or (what would be considerably worse) going to the popularized version of Heaven. I expect death to be nothingness and, for removing me from all possible fears of death, I am thankful to atheism.
A subtle thought that is in error may yet give rise to fruitful inquiry that can establish truths of great value.
During the century after Newton, it was still possible for a man of unusual attainments to master all fields of scientific knowledge. But by 1800, this had become entirely impracticable.
To bring about destruction by overcrowding, mass starvation, anarchy, the destruction of our most cherished values, there is no need to do anything. We need only do nothing except what comes naturally, and breed. And how easy it is to do nothing
Their understanding_x000D_ _x000D_ Begins to swell and the approaching tide_x000D_ _x000D_ Will shortly fill the reasonable shores_x000D_ _x000D_ That now lie foul and muddy.
Philosophers' Syndrome: mistaking a failure of the imagination for an insight into necessity.
According to the Stoics, all vice was resolvable into folly: according to the Christian principle, it is all the effect of weakness.
The man who is seriously convinced that he deserves hell is not likely to go there, while the man who believes that he is worthy of heaven will certainly never enter that blessed place.
It's so easy for propaganda to work, and dissent to be mocked.
Deep is the well of truth and long does it take to know what has fallen into its depths.
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