While this op-ed piece by Dr Egger raises many valid points,particularly about the population issue I can't help but think that the good doctor is,and has been,living in some fenced enclosure away from reality.A bit like the Bilbies out at Currawinya NP in SW QLD.

It is quite bizarre when somebody who has obviously lived a priviledged existence apologizes for some perceived faults of his generation - those dreadful "Baby Boomers".I happen to be a member of that generation and I,along with the vast majority of that generation,have worked very hard for scant reward and made many sacrifices.When I was born in 1947 I had to make the best(or worst)of the situation as it then existed and make mistakes among successes - Just like everybody else at any time in human history.The period 1950 to 2000 was,for Western civilization,an era of relative stability and increasing well being for most(not all)of the population.This was an accident of history but it was not a "Golden Age" as some would nostalgically have.There were also a great many downsides - the cold war,the threat of nuclear annihilation,numerous wars of insurgency,economic problems and,for the more aware, a growing sense that our civilization was wrecking the Earth.I,for one,will not be making any grotesque apologies for the fact that I was born when I was.

I am rather weary of this generational blame/envy/guilt trip that some individuals,young and old,are seeking to impose on my generation.Sooner,rather than later,we will be out of the way.Who are going to be the scapegoats then?

As always,scapegoating,while a common human proclivity,is totally counterproductive.It is the task of everyone,young and old,to grasp the nature of our problems and address them with courage and wisdom.