The Gold Fish Age

Bit dramatic. goldfish analogy doesn’t really apply to humans like that. We’re pretty good at adapting and solving problems.

True, but we have not outsmarted the viruses yet.

A 100% fatal virus with an instant infection speed by aerosol or contact, but with many months to show effects would have time to infect almost the whole world.

3 Days for the Gulf Stream to circle the planet.

Then, it is "Taps! Taps! Lights out! Silence about the deck".

And finally, Peace on Earth.

We just barely survived a bottle neck in population due to environmental conditions .

https://www.npr.org/sections/krulwich/

https://www.livescience.com/62754-warring-clans-caused-population-bottleneck.html

Fertility rates are down? Does this suggest to you widespread decrease in the ability to procreate?

Fertility rates are not recently driven by ability but rather desire (or lack thereof) to have children immediately.

Regardless of the cause the effect is the same. There are not enough children to sustain the species indefinitely.

And the reasons you state are a result of man's progress and growth.

Birth control, liberation of women into the work force, and not wanting the responsibility of raising a child.

So, indirectly we are limiting our size.

Yes, but this is rather different than direct environmental factors. Though ironically, one of the environmental factors is sometimes a conscious choice not to have children, due to the impact of humankind on the planet. But that freedom of choice is probably not a goldfish thing!

"...so, indirectly we are limiting our size..."

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...but not through contamination of the environment as suggested in the OP.

If it isn't a limit brought about by degrading our environment and instead an effect of our level of development or an maybe some self regulation over concern about our impact, that would suggest a moderating effect that acts to improve our chances at long term survival.

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I don't think unrestrained growth in population over the long term is something beneficial for our species or other species prospects at long term success. What you are observing isn't so much a sign of impending doom as it is evidence of dynamic correction of what would otherwise become disasterous...before it actually does. And so, although it might seem like a good time for the 'End is nigh' sign, once again it is not. We are the cutting edge and have been for recorded history. All during that time people have noted our growing influence and been shouting in dismay that we are about to completely and irrevocably foul it up this time. Yet we have not. We aren't yet this time either. Yes we have done damage but it isn't bringing about a collapse. Have faith in humans. We have lots of less desireable qualities and do some monumentally stupid things, but the good does outweigh the bad and we are worth keeping around, and so we will endeavor to do so. I believe we will do so long into the future.

Are you suggesting that a goldfish in a well filtered tank will grow until it completely fills the tank?

Never thought of that. That is an interesting idea.

It may be eligible for a government grant!

I have only empirical evidence by observing my own fish.

I may try it myself with anew goldfish and bowl.

As the saying goes, What goes around,comes around. just like the Goldfish in the bowl.

Population decline in western civilisation is also due to the financial burdens attached to children and the emancipation of women no longer being the "child-bearing stay at home" housewife.

Politics also has played a role, (China) and (Health / Disease / Food / Water shortage (Africa)

The Climate debate is another factor, the world has lived throught climate change before and I just read an interesting article the other day where scientists have been tracking clouds for several years (yes the ones in the sky, not IT storage systems) and it appears that the amount of cloud cover has reduced and that leads to the atmosphere warming up, not Co², which is leading to the changing weather patterns of extreme storms etc.

And in addition to that, Cosmic rays from outer space influence cloud formation.

The galaxy may have a season like all of the planets, albeit longer.

https://home.cern/science/experiments/cloud

We spiral through space like a slinky, never in the same place twice. So does our sun and the all the galaxies, being drawn toward the Great Attractor which may also have seasons. The possible influences on our planet are incalculable, but we do the best we can, but we should never presume to have the total picture.

How about a butterfly on another planet having an effect on everything?

Heck, I think we are doing good, considering our relative size, intelligence and native sensory abilities.

We have so much to learn and so far to go. May we never lose our curiosity and couage.

I remember 50 years ago when there was only 20 years of petroleum left, and overpopulation was going to cause widespread starvation.

https://www.aei.org/carpe-diem/18-spectacularly-wrong-predictions-were-made-around-the-time-of-the-first-earth-day-in-1970-expect-more-this-year/

It is always good to be reminded that you are alive today.

The biggest problem is not the fertility rates. It may be for the 1st World but not so for the rest. The problem is that we are already too many, and we need more and more resources since we constantly develop. Especially in the 3rd world, millions get urbanized every year and demand better living standards, better nutrition, better transport, better (bigger/warmer/cooler) houses, better everything.

The only salvation may come from technology. We must make sure that it brings more fruits than disaster. Can we guarantee this? No! It is not a matter of personal will of scientists and engineers; there are too many socioeconomic factors that come into play. We just cross our fingers and hope.