Biologist Paul Ehrlich‚ 91‚ and other de-populationists have long concern-mongered about the planet having far too many human beings living on it. Their alarmist claims have proven as consequential as they have been wrong‚ inspiring the kind of disastrous policies taken up by the communist Chinese regime‚ which massacred hundreds of millions of babies as a result of its one-child policy. It turns out the problem the species actually faces is not a population boom but rather a world-changing population crunch. A graying world A new peer-reviewed study published in the Lancet recently revealed that fertility rates have declined in all countries and territories since 1950 and that "human civilization is rapidly converging on a sustained low-fertility reality." The fertility rate references the average number of children born to a woman in her lifetime. In 1950‚ the global fertility rate was 4.84. In 2021‚ it was 2.23. By the end of this century‚ it is expected to drop to 1.59 globally. For a population to maintain stability and replenish itself without need for an influx of foreign nationals‚ a fertility rate of 2.1 is needed. The fertility rate in the U.S. last year was 1.784. By way of contrast‚ in 1960‚ the U.S. fertility rate was 3.7. The American fertility rate predicted for 2100 is 1.45‚ according to the study. "Only six of 204 countries and territories (Samoa‚ Somalia‚ Tonga‚ Niger‚ Chad‚ and Tajikistan) are projected to have above-replacement levels of fertility by 2100‚ and only 26 will still have a positive rate of natural increase (i.e.‚ the number of births will exceed the numbers of deaths)‚" wrote the researchers. The researchers drew these conclusions on the basis of up-to-date assessments of key fertility indicators from 1950 to 2021 along with the forecast fertility metrics to 2100 produced in the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation's Global Burden of Diseases‚ Injuries‚ and Risk Factors Study 2021‚ executed at the University of Washington School of Medicine. The impact of this demographic trend outlined in the study has already shaken up countries such as China and Japan. The consequences will continue to magnify across the world in the coming decades‚ lest there be some grand about-face. — (@) The fallout According to the study‚ the world will become increasingly divided in terms of age demographics. The West and Asia are poised to thin out and turn increasingly gray‚ while parts of sub-Saharan Africa will remain relatively youthful. The greater ratio of old people to young people in low-fertility countries is "likely to present considerable economic challenges caused by a growing dependency ratio of older to working-age population and a shrinking labor force‚" reported the study. The researchers indicated that barring new funding sources or "unforeseen innovations‚" national health insurance and social security programs along with health-care infrastructure will be overwhelmed. In addition to straining health and welfare systems‚ increasingly childless societies are likely to also suffer economically. "If productivity per working-aged adult does not increase in accordance with declines in the working-age population‚ growth in gross domestic product will slow‚" said the study. "Reliance on immigrants will become increasingly necessary to sustain economic growth in low-fertility countries." The study suggested that reliance on immigrants from those lower-income countries that still bother to have kids will increase as post-industrialized nations attempt to address labor shortages. However‚ this reliance may adversely impact the migrants' native countries‚ which lose out on the skilled labor and talent pursuing better pay abroad. Despite the civilizational collapse underway‚ the researchers behind this Bill &; Melinda Gates Foundation-funded study highlighted what climate alarmists and other de-populationists might regard as a silver lining‚ stating‚ "Although sustained below-replacement fertility will pose serious potential challenges for much of the world over the course of the century‚ it also presents opportunities for environmental progress." An increasingly old and childless world "could alleviate some strain on global food systems‚ fragile environments‚ and other finite resources‚ and also reduce carbon emissions‚" wrote the researchers. Remedies The study suggested that pro-natal policies such as child-related cash transfers‚ tax incentives‚ childcare subsidies‚ extended parental leave‚ and other supports for family — such as those rolled out in Viktor Orbán's Hungary and now being considered in South Korea — might help arrest or slow the fertility decline. However‚ "There are few data to show that such polices have led to strong‚ sustained rebounds in fertility." The Atlantic noted that pro-natal policies have proven successful in certain cases. For instance‚ the Czech Republic saw its birth rate bottom out in the 1990s following the collapse of the Soviet Union. In the mid-2000s‚ the government began doling out $10‚000 to parents for every child‚ the equivalent of what many citizens were making yearly after taxes. Tomáš Sobotka‚ a researcher at Austria’s Vienna Institute of Demography‚ told the Atlantic that the Czech Republic's pro-natal policy apparently worked as there was a corresponding increase in births over time‚ and more families were having second and third children. "Even under optimistic assumptions on the impact of pro-natal policies based on current data‚ global [total fertility rate] will remain low — and well below replacement level — up to 2100‚" said the study. "Nevertheless‚ our pro-natal scenario forecasts also suggest that pro-natal policies might prevent some countries from dropping below very-low ( The researchers did not mention possible cultural or spiritual remedies but did recommend against restricting access to abortion‚ which kills more than 70 million babies a year worldwide. Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors‚ sign up for our newsletters‚ and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

Our government believes the people of America suffer from an “information disorder” — and Biden claims to have a cure. That cure comes in the form of the worst censorship America has seen yet‚ and the definition of “information disorder” is absolutely disturbing. “A condition in which truth and facts coexist in a milieu of misinformation and disinformation‚ conspiracy theories‚ lies‚ propaganda‚ and half-truth‚” Glenn Beck reads. In the important case Murthy v. Missouri that’s currently before the Supreme Court‚ the Biden administration is demonstrating what their cure for this is‚ which is basically just pressuring social media companies to censor views that the White House objects to. The pro-speech plaintiffs are disturbed that our government has colluded with these social media platforms to censor speech on topics like COVID origins‚ masks‚ vaccines‚ lockdowns‚ the Hunter Biden laptop‚ climate change‚ mail-in voting‚ and election integrity. The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals judges concluded that the Biden administration violated the First Amendment by meddling with what should be content moderation decisions by private companies‚ but the Biden administration appealed the case all the way to the Supreme Court. Glenn is not pleased. “They’re everywhere now‚ making new rules and regulations on what can and cannot be said‚ and they’re doing it with the private sector‚ a partnership that used to be called in old school speak‚ ‘facism‚’” Glenn Beck says. To hear more‚ watch the episode below. Want more from Glenn Beck?To enjoy more of Glenn’s masterful storytelling‚ thought-provoking analysis‚ and uncanny ability to make sense of the chaos‚ subscribe to BlazeTV — the largest multi-platform network of voices who love America‚ defend the Constitution‚ and live the American dream.

A camouflaged man seemingly fired an unloaded gun at a North Carolina couple while intruding on their back porch‚ surveillance video showed.A McDowell County couple shared surveillance footage with local news outlets and authorities after a man identified as Tyler Messer stood on their back porch wielding a rifle.Aiming down the sights‚ Messer looked back and forth at the couple who was in their house at the time."As I’m folding one towel‚ I have my phone lying in front of me and I see an alert that there’s some motion on the back‚" Preston McHone told WLOS. "So‚ I just turn around and yell‚ ‘Billy‚ there’s somebody at our back door with a gun‚’" he added.It was about 11 p.m. when Messer‚ still on the porch‚ pulled the action on his rifle. Audio of the gun failing to fire any projectiles can be heard on video‚ indicating that it was likely an empty chamber. However‚ it is still unclear and has been described as a misfire by local news outlets.After the alleged misfire‚ Messer took a moment to inspect his rifle before fleeing from the property. It also remained unclear whether or not the intent of the suspect was to kill the home owners at all‚ as law enforcement notes have described Messer as "mentally ill.""Defendant is mentally ill. Defendant stated to family that he was going to rid the world of sin‚" the notes from the McDowell County Magistrate Bail Explanation Form read."As he pulls the trigger‚ he turns and‚ in that short turn‚ he’s realizing it didn’t go off because he’s supposed to‚ at that point‚ have shot [my partner] and would be turning towards me‚" McHone continued. "He didn't follow through because he missed one step‚ and that was loading his weapon."The couple reportedly hid inside their home for several minutes until police arrived. They would soon learn that it wasn't the first time Messer had been to their home. Messer had reportedly visited their house three times within the past year‚ allegedly looking for his father.The couple did not know who the man's father is.The McDowell County Sheriff's Office reported that the suspect was charged with assault by pointing a gun‚ first-degree trespassing‚ and stalking. The charges came with a set bail of $200‚000.Two days later‚ 29-year-old Messer had his charges upgraded to include attempted murder. Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors‚ sign up for our newsletters‚ and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

A local North Carolina radio host is calling out the White House.On Tuesday‚ White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre abruptly ended an interview with WBT radio host Mark Garrison for asking if President Joe Biden is suffering from dementia. Jean-Pierre called the question "incredibly offensive" and "incredibly insulting‚" and she demanded Garrison ask her a different question. When Garrison complied‚ the press secretary rushed through her answer before ending the interview. Audio of the exchange ends with a dial tone — purportedly from Jean-Pierre's phone — and shock from the radio host that Jean-Pierre hung up."She hung up‚" Garrison said.In a statement on Wednesday‚ the White House accused the radio station of manufacturing a fake controversy.White House deputy press secretary Andrew Bates said:As she often does when the President travels‚ Karine had multiple back-to-back interviews with radio stations who were each offered seven minutes. Once the agreed-upon time was over‚ she called into the next interview so everyone could get their full time. This particular station chose not to air the full interview and instead artificially attached a sound effect that our phones do not make when calls end.But‚ according to Garrison‚ that's not true."The White House assertion that we added a sound effect is nonsense. When she hung up‚ the phone noise was purely from their end‚" he said.Garrison‚ moreover‚ provided the Daily Caller with a copy of the raw audio. That audio includes the dial tone‚ proving the radio station did not insert the tone‚ according to the outlet.In an interview with Fox News host Laura Ingraham on Wednesday‚ Garrison reaffirmed the audio was not edited."We don't add sound effects to news stories. When she hit the button to disconnect‚ we got a dial tone. We didn't add any drama to it‚" he said. "It was very clear when she hung up that she was not happy."Garrison‚ meanwhile‚ told Ingraham the unedited audio is the clip uploaded to their website (it is embedded above).Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors‚ sign up for our newsletters‚ and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

Kansas lawmakers voted Wednesday to pass a bill prohibiting foreign adversary-tied entities from purchasing land near United States military installations‚ the Associated Press reported.Republican legislators in the state’s House of Representatives passed Senate Bill 172 in an 84-39 vote this week. The legislation would prevent organizations with foreign terrorist ties as well as individuals and businesses from China‚ Cuba‚ Iran‚ North Korea‚ and Venezuela from acquiring property located within 150 miles of any military site.Republican Kansas Rep. Jake LaTurner stated in a post on X Wednesday that state lawmakers recently “discussed the importance of ensuring CCP-backed companies aren’t gaining access to Kansas supply chains and crucial military bases across our state.”He applauded legislators for passing the “strong‚ commonsense” bill‚ noting it would prevent China from “expanding its foothold in Kansas.”“We can’t stand by and let the Chinese Communist Party steal from‚ bully‚ and spy on Kansans right in our own backyard‚” LaTurner added.In a statement to the Daily Caller News Foundation‚ LaTurner called the Chinese Communist Party the “greatest national security threat facing Kansas.”A December report from the DCNF revealed that a CCP-tied chemicals company‚ Cnano Technology USA Inc.‚ plans to build a $95 million‚ 333‚000-square-foot facility in Johnson County‚ Kansas‚ that will manufacture liquid conductive paste for batteries used in electric vehicles‚ cell phones‚ and power tools. The facility’s location is only 35 miles from Fort Leavenworth and 70 miles from Whiteman Air Force Base‚ the DCNF reported based on research conducted by the Heritage Foundation Oversight Project and Heritage Action.If it becomes law‚ SB 172 could prevent Cnano USA‚ a subsidiary of China-based Cnano Jiangsu Technology Co. Ltd.‚ from building the facility.Republican Kansas lawmakers also passed two other proposals aimed at cracking down on economic activity with foreign adversaries. In an 85-38 vote‚ legislators passed SB 37‚ which would require the state to divest from firms affiliated with adversary entities‚ the AP reported. Republican state Rep. Nick Hoheisel said‚ “It is inappropriate for our state to allocate resources to countries that present substantial obstacles to human rights‚ international stability‚ and our national security.”Lawmakers also voted 83-40 to pass SB 271‚ which would ban state agencies from acquiring drones that contain “critical components” made in or produced by a foreign adversary nation.Democratic Rep. John Carmichael and other critics accused Republican lawmakers of pushing xenophobic measures.“This has turned into Asian Prejudice Day in the Kansas Legislature‚ and it’s not a proud moment‚” Carmichael stated.Democratic Rep. Boog Highberger argued that legislation would not prevent spying but would negatively impact immigrant business owners.“To the extent that there is a problem‚ much of it could be addressed by our existing prohibition on corporate ownership of farmland‚” Highberger claimed.Republican leaders in other states‚ including Arkansas‚ Missouri‚ and Indiana‚ are pushing forward similar measures to prevent prohibited foreign entities from buying land. Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors‚ sign up for our newsletters‚ and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

It’s hard to believe that Sid Meier’s original‚ groundbreaking Civilization is more than 30 years old. With Civilization 7 apparently in the works‚ and dozens of strategy games inspired by that landmark first entry‚ like Millennia‚ Manor Lords‚ and even Frostpunk 2‚ the spirit of Civ 1 still feels very much alive. Blending deckbuilder‚ card game‚ and even small roguelike elements‚ one new city builder‚ created by a single developer‚ takes stylistic inspiration from Micropose’s classic. Available to try right now‚ if you want a change from the Cities Skylines 2 formula‚ or a card-driven alternative to Anno 1800 and Tropico 6‚ this is certainly worth your time. Continue reading Civilization 1 inspires unique new city building game you can try now MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best city building games‚ Best strategy games‚ Best card games

A mixture of survival crafting and roguelike deckbuilder‚ Untraveled Lands Chantico is a new card game inspired by the likes of Indiana Jones and Mesoamerican culture‚ from developer Tall Troll Games. The team behind clever turn-based strategy game Dark Chess has turned its hand to a management game that perhaps more closely resembles tabletop card games‚ and it’s coming to Steam later this year. Continue reading Indiana Jones inspired card game blends survival crafting and tabletop MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best card games‚ Best strategy games‚ Best survival games

If there's ever been a time to launch a new roguelike deckbuilder‚ it's now. Over recent years‚ we've seen the genre explode in popularity‚ with games like Balatro‚ Slay the Spire‚ and Marvel Snap garnering plenty of acclaim and attention. Now‚ a new studio formed by veterans of Riot Games and V Rising creator Stunlock Studios‚ has teamed up with Satisfactory‚ Valheim‚ and Goat Simulator dev and publisher Coffee Stain Studios to put together a new take on the genre with the upcoming As We Descend. Continue reading Satisfactory publisher prepares to launch new roguelike deckbuilder

It's easy to get lost in the world of high-end hardware‚ but sometimes it's far more impressive to see a game on a system on which it has no business running. Such is the case with the Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite Arm laptop chip‚ which was recently demonstrated running Baldur's Gate 3 at 1080p‚ with a frame rate of 30fps. While no serious PC gamers will be giving up their best graphics card and x86 gaming CPU in favor of this emulation tech right now‚ it's still a marvel to see in action and will certainly have an audience. Devices based on Qualcomm's Snapdragon X Elite SoC aren't set to release until later this year‚ but this demo is a shining example of what's possible with its x86/64 emulation system. Continue reading Baldur’s Gate 3 runs surprisingly well on this Arm laptop MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best graphics card‚ Best gaming PC‚ Best SSD for gaming

If you thought Taskmaster VR would be fun when completing tasks set by the OG master of tasks Greg Davies‚ well‚ you can now step into his shoes and create your very own tasks. That's right‚ Creative Mode has been confirmed for the game and will be available at launch on the Meta Quest and Steam VR storefronts. We're still eagerly awaiting the Taskmaster VR release date‚ but this latest news has us giddy with excitement. The idea of finally getting to compete in a Taskmaster show‚ even one in VR‚ is a dream come true‚ but setting your own tasks on one of the best VR headsets takes this game to the next level. Continue reading Let your inner Taskmaster run free thanks to new VR game mode MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best graphics card‚ Best gaming PC‚ Best SSD for gaming