The Planet Cannot Hold the Weight of 8.2 billion Narratives. Here’s Why…

March 23rd, 2025
By Michael Bayliss
narrative, population, systems change

As ecosystems collapse and wealth inequality deepens, the impact of overpopulation on the natural world is well-documented—but its effects on democracy, social cohesion, and psychological well-being remain largely unexplored. This essay examines how our bloated, hyper-complex societies have outgrown their ability to meet individual needs, leading to a breakdown in political and social structures.
With 8.2 billion people navigating an increasingly fragmented world, collective narratives have spiralled out of control, fuelled by social media echo chambers and misinformation. The cognitive limits of human connection, as explored by thinkers like Yuval Noah Harari and Jared Diamond, suggest that civilizations struggle to function beyond a certain scale. The modern world has temporarily bridged this gap through technology and propaganda, yet this has only accelerated economic disparity, political disillusionment, and environmental destruction.
As economic instability mounts and the middle class erodes, societies risk turning to simplistic, authoritarian solutions—historically a precursor to fascism and oligarchy. However, the answer lies not in reactionary politics but in systemic change: planned degrowth to scale back unsustainable economies, rewilding to restore ecological balance, and global family planning to address overpopulation in a humane and equitable way.
Ultimately, escaping our current dystopian trajectory requires dismantling our self-absorbed narratives and re-establishing a connection with the natural world. The more of us there are, the harder this becomes—making population sustainability not just an environmental necessity, but a psychological and human rights imperative.

Torbay Festival Degrowth Talk

November 28th, 2024
By Michael Bayliss
degrowth, doughnut economics, post-growth, south-west australia, torbay festival, well-being economics

Building a house in the 2020s (and other fun things!)

March 15th, 2024
By Michael Bayliss
green building, housing crisis, housing design, project building

On PGAP, your costs often discuss the housing crisis and our own housing dramas. Below is an account of trying to build a house in regional WA - quickly - in the decade of consequence while trying to roll out some environmentally friendlier features on a limited budget and with many forces against us. Read on!

To populate or not to populate? How we can come together around the eternal debate of everyone’s favourite vexed issue.

February 5th, 2024
By Mark Allen
population

Long-term listeners of Post Growth Australia Podcast will be very aware that we, the hosts, believe that the population issue should be discussed and not ignored. The fact that PGAP is supported by Sustainable Population Australia is of course, another reason why we discuss it! For us, it is about ensuring that the population issue is put into its proper context as opposed to making it the only ‘go to’ issue.

Asbestos: our legacy and our future

November 22nd, 2022
By Mark Allen
asbestos, precinct planning, real estate, rental, town planning, town planning rebellion, urban planning, western australia

A Year in Asbestosville: A Farcical Tale of Systemic Failure

October 24th, 2022
By Michael Bayliss
asbestos, real estate agents, rental, system failure., town planning

One would think that Western Australia - a state that takes much pride in how wealthy it is - might pay a little more attention to enduring legacy of asbestos, which continues to claim thousands of WA lives each year. But not so much luck for the private renters out there. Come with me on a journey of kafkaesque proportions against a system which is completely inept to deal with the problem that keeps giving.

Kate Raworth on Doughnut Economics

September 26th, 2020
By Michael Bayliss

Kate Raworth at TED conference - a healthy economy should be designed to thrive, not grow

World Contraception Day - Why 26th September Matters

September 26th, 2020
By Michael Bayliss

PGAP Host Michael Bayliss wrote an article detailing why family planning an contraception services are more critical than ever as the world braces for further waves of COVID and recession.

Post Growth Institute Free Money Day Media Release

September 15th, 2020

Free Money Day 2020 - A global social experiment aims to show that a more generous world is possible.

5 Existential Songs Art Rockers Shock Octopus Love

August 6th, 2020
By Michael Bayliss
octopus, scenstr, shock, shock octopus

In the 04th episode of PGAP, we played 'Life on a Pier' from Shock Octopus