Reply #20: "if they are right and I'm wrong, how exactly is that a comforting situation?"

[HamdenRice]

Uhhh...

Because they are predicting tough economic times for a few years and you are predicting the end of the world? Maybe?

If they are right, I've lived through the recession of the 70s, the recession of 81-82 and my parents and grand parents survived the Great Depression.

In neither case was there population collapse and mass die off, so I suspect there won't be one coming up. I find that quite comforting -- and eminently logical and believable.