[anm89]

I always liked this quote:

For 50 million years our biggest problems were too few calories, too little information. For about 50 years our biggest problem has been too many calories, too much information. We have to adjust, and I believe we will really fast. I also believe it will be wicked ugly while we’re adjusting.“ — Penn Jillette

[niknoble]

I've been thinking that evolution might resolve this issue on its own in a few generations. Right now people who are naturally high-willpower have a huge advantage, since they can resist eating unhealthy/too much food and wasting time on useless addictions. I would assume that translates into having more kids, on average.

Although, there are some questions about this:

1. If technology progresses so rapidly that each generation faces totally different challenges, evolution might not be able to keep up with the changing demands.

2. Contraception might be decoupling material success from reproductive success.