Caring for the J Curve

When plotted against time, human population is best represented by a J curve, an otherwise orderly line which takes a sudden leap upward. If bacterial counts in a baby followed a J curve, it would cause despair. If the population of fruit flies in an experiment jar follows a J curve, that population soon collapses. The nature of the Earth-human relationship now places humans (who are at the top of the intelligence chain), in a unique position : we have become responsible for the course of all life’s existence through all of deep-time. This book is about this Earth–human relationship, with a focus on gratitude, service, and responsibility. It uses published and internet sources interwoven with the author’s own voice to reveal the importance of population care.

When plotted against time, human population is best represented by a J curve, an otherwise orderly line which takes a sudden leap upward. If bacterial counts in a baby followed a J curve, it would cause despair. If the population of fruit flies in an experiment jar follows a J curve, that population soon collapses. The nature of the Earth-human relationship now places humans (who are at the top of the intelligence chain), in a unique position : we have become responsible for the course of all life’s existence through all of deep-time. This book is about this Earth–human relationship, with a focus on gratitude, service, and responsibility. It uses published and internet sources interwoven with the author’s own voice to reveal the importance of population care.

John Trotter grew up through high school in Wadsworth, Ohio, delivering the local weekly paper, working in a shoe store, and learning to fly a Piper Cub from a small grass runway. He attended the University of Kansas from 1958 through 1962, graduating with distinction in Aerospace Engineering. He migrated into the computer field and worked in both the aerospace and medical industries, and, for a while, as a part-time salesperson for the world’s first retail computer store. He holds the Certificate in Data Processing (CDP). Later in life he became a chaplain, certified by the College of Pastoral Supervision and Psychotherapy (CPSP). He has two children and 6 grandchildren and is currently an ancient student at the Zen Center of Los Angeles (ZCLA).