The Malthusian-Darwinian dynamic and the trajectory of civilization

Jeffrey C. Nekola; Craig D. Allen; James H. Brown; Joseph R. Burger; Ana D. Davidson; Trevor S. Fristoe; Marcus J. Hamilton; Sean T. Hammond; Astrid Kodric-Brown; Norman Mercado-Silva; Jordan G. Okie

doi:10.1016/j.tree.2012.12.001

USGS · 70044056

The Malthusian-Darwinian dynamic and the trajectory of civilization

Jeffrey C. Nekola·Craig D. Allen·James H. Brown·Joseph R. Burger·Ana D. Davidson·Trevor S. Fristoe·Marcus J. Hamilton·Sean T. Hammond·Astrid Kodric-Brown·Norman Mercado-Silva·Jordan G. Okie

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Abstract

Two interacting forces influence all populations: the Malthusian dynamic of exponential growth until resource limits are reached, and the Darwinian dynamic of innovation and adaptation to circumvent these limits through biological and/or cultural evolution. The specific manifestations of these forces in modern human society provide an important context for determining how humans can establish a sustainable relationship with the finite Earth.

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Jeffrey C. Nekola, Craig D. Allen, James H. Brown, Joseph R. Burger, Ana D. Davidson, Trevor S. Fristoe, Marcus J. Hamilton, Sean T. Hammond, Astrid Kodric-Brown, Norman Mercado-Silva, Jordan G. Okie. 2013. The Malthusian-Darwinian dynamic and the trajectory of civilization. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tree.2012.12.001

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