Agreed. I think even as it stands right now, the frameworks of society are playing catch-up to disruptive technologies. Virtual reality would only push that gaping hole further.
As it stands, I believe birth rates in the most developed countries have already stagnated, from a sustainability, and environmental perspective, I agree it would be awesome for the planet. However, I suspect that for those that be that govern world agenda, a sustained population growth is required for the expansion of their economies and monetary base. Without an increasing population, and by deduction a working population, a government would find it hard to sustain economic growth would it not?
I used to think that the only way for capitalism to survive was perpetual growth. I even wrote this into the plot of my first novel Alarm Clock Dawn. Many economists believe there’s a more balanced approach to the economy that will allow capitalism to survive as resources dwindle and growth stagnates. Here’s a great piece in The Atlantic that explains more about that.
Historically, when resources are abundant population growth is an simple way to insure economic growth under the capitalist system. As natural resources continue to dwindle there will be a balancing point where it’ll be a major disadvantage for countries to have huge population growth. I believe that countries that creatively maintain the proper balance will be the ones that thrive in the coming years. The future will be interesting, for sure. We're going to see lots of change and innovation in our lifetimes. Thanks for this thought provoking article @sweetsssj!
I think you're right! Countries will be competing for immigrants!