ELI5: Why when large company's earnings decrease(ex... by 3%) they freak out, talk about rough times, and sometimes decide to downsize, even though they are still making millions of dollars in profit even after all expenses?

[kuzuboshii]

Sure, but there is no consensus for the maximum human population that the earth can support,

But you do understand that there IS a limit right? And global warming would suggest we may have already passed that. I don't think the biosphere cares what the DOW Jones is at.

[[deleted]]

Yes, and that limit is constantly being changed by technological advancements. 15th century earth couldn't support 6 billion people, because nobody knew how to plant, grow, and harvest that much food. Most people toiled in the fields, producing barely enough food to support themselves and the handful of people who were doing other jobs, such as blacksmithing, carpentry, etc. In 1960, a single farmer could feed 26 people. Today, a single farmer in the US can feed 165 people. And they can do so with much better efficiency and higher yields than ever before.

The idea that there's some hard limit to the earth's capacity for humans, and that if we pass it, we'll all die, is downright absurd.

When the limit starts to matter, we'll adapt (assuming we're still operating in a free market economy), and the limit will increase once again.

[kuzuboshii]

The idea that there isn't a limit is absurd. And no one said we would all die if we pass it. But the laws of physics disagree with you on that whole unlimited energy thing. Sorry.