The Unthinkable Solution to Overpopulation Soylent Green

Photo credit: Abstract Soylent Green Production Facility 2 by Floyd Snyder

The Unthinkable Solution to Overpopulation: Soylent Green

Soylent Green is a 1973 science fiction thriller film starring Charlton Heston. In the film, a dystopian future, overpopulation has led to a food shortage, and people are desperate for a solution.

Soylent Green is introduced as the perfect food source capable of feeding the masses. It is a mysterious green substance that has become a part of everyday life. It is touted as the perfect food replacement, as it is easy to manufacture, contains all the essential vitamins and minerals, and is highly nutritious. However, its true identity is revealed to be a shocking surprise.

Soylent Green is actually made up of recycled human corpses. It turns out that the government has been secretly feeding the masses their own deceased citizens to combat overpopulation. The company behind Soylent Green, the Soylent Corporation, controls the production and distribution of the product, using its near monopoly on food production to keep the population under control. As such, they can manipulate prices and provide minimal rations at astronomical prices so that only those with money can buy it.

The consequences of this policy is seen in the movie as mass starvation due to the inability to purchase adequate amounts of Soylent Green plagues society. In addition, because recycling human bodies is illegal, those who control Soylent Green face criminal charges if caught. Despite these issues, Soylent Green remains a viable alternative for feeding the masses in an ever-growing population where food supplies dwindle daily.

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