Positive effects from Avian flu or other epidemics?

Question

"What a terrible thing to say!"

Yes, I know. It would be a terrible thing. But aside from the moral humanity factor, would an epidemic really be bad for human history?

It seems many of modern humanity's problems are due to overpopulation. Too many people and not enough resources. Too much waste and not enough conservation, etc.

If there were less humans, we would be cutting down less of the rainforest, using less oil, slaughtering less dolphins, burning less fossil fuels, etc.

Yet, we would retain many of our advances in civilization because of the wealth of information contained in video, books, and the internet. And hey, shorter lines at the grocery store!

Of course, humans are also greedy and power shifts could occur, governments could collapse, and wars could break out.

So, moral humanity aside, do you think an epidemic at this point in human history would be good for our progression of civilization? Or would it just make things worse?

Answer 1

An epidemic which reduced the human race by half could only be beneficial for the rest of the planet.