Controversial movie shows
Maria Schmitt
Issue date: 10/23/08 Section: News
A movie put on by the Politics Club last night brought disagreement between biological and political groups on campus.
The film, "Demographic Winter: Decline of the Human Family," states that depopulation is a major problem of the 21st century.
According to the film's Web site, the world will gradually depopulate due to declining birth and fertility rates, combined with a diminishing traditional family ideal.
Junior Trent Demarest said he heard about the film from one of his housemates.
"The movie treats a topic that has been of some interest to me for awhile," Demarest said.
He said he is not surprised biology groups on campus don't agree with the film's message.
"I will say the fact that it's contentious is part of what drew me," he said.
Allan Carlson, a visiting professor of political science and history, was interviewed for the film. He appears in the movie's trailer and its second part, which is not yet released.
"The film lays out the facts that depopulation is a bad thing and how it will affect people's lives, the economy and how we survive," Carlson said.
Biology major and senior Chris Duncan said that although he has not seen the movie, he disagrees with its theory of depopulation.
"Just a few decades ago there was fear of overpopulation," he said. "What I think the film is referring to is the replacement rate, especially in Western Europe."
The replacement rate theory describes situations in which a couple produces one child, thereby losing one person in the total.
Duncan said he thinks large populations in Africa and South America counter the film's assertions.
"It makes for an interesting documentary, but the truth of the issue is far from there," he said.
Carlson said his response to biologists who disagree with the film's premise should watch it.
"They first should see the movie," he said. "I think it's much more of a problem than they know."
Biology Department Chairman Frank Steiner declined comment.
The film, "Demographic Winter: Decline of the Human Family," states that depopulation is a major problem of the 21st century.
According to the film's Web site, the world will gradually depopulate due to declining birth and fertility rates, combined with a diminishing traditional family ideal.
Junior Trent Demarest said he heard about the film from one of his housemates.
"The movie treats a topic that has been of some interest to me for awhile," Demarest said.
He said he is not surprised biology groups on campus don't agree with the film's message.
"I will say the fact that it's contentious is part of what drew me," he said.
Allan Carlson, a visiting professor of political science and history, was interviewed for the film. He appears in the movie's trailer and its second part, which is not yet released.
"The film lays out the facts that depopulation is a bad thing and how it will affect people's lives, the economy and how we survive," Carlson said.
Biology major and senior Chris Duncan said that although he has not seen the movie, he disagrees with its theory of depopulation.
"Just a few decades ago there was fear of overpopulation," he said. "What I think the film is referring to is the replacement rate, especially in Western Europe."
The replacement rate theory describes situations in which a couple produces one child, thereby losing one person in the total.
Duncan said he thinks large populations in Africa and South America counter the film's assertions.
"It makes for an interesting documentary, but the truth of the issue is far from there," he said.
Carlson said his response to biologists who disagree with the film's premise should watch it.
"They first should see the movie," he said. "I think it's much more of a problem than they know."
Biology Department Chairman Frank Steiner declined comment.
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