Reply #12: The difference betw now and 1918: 1. globalization 2. higher population

[Wordie]

With globalization comes an exponentially higher threat of lightning-fast spread of the disease. And there are a lot more people all over the world, so a quicker spread stems from that factor too.

AND, since this threat is entirely new, NOBODY (anywhere on the planet) has a natural immunity to the flu.

I am as cynical as the next person about these terror threat messages, and how the Bush administration has played on our fears, but I think this time the threat may be genuine.

And, whatever global conspiracy plots may say, just looking at worldwide population levels, from an ecological perspective, suggests that this is a valid threat.