World Population - It is said that earth will only be able to 'handle' a population of 8bn. people.?

At present the world population is around 6 billion, and it will probably reach 8 bn. in about 30 years' time. Apparently this last number is the absolute max. that earth will be able to sustain.
QUESTION - Why is it then that man will not allow Nature to do its "job" when it tries to limit the growth of the population, by introducing for instance, tuberculosis, AIDS and other measures. This is Natures' way of trying to maintain order, but man then does his level best to counter these very necessary actions by researching ways to combat Nature every step of the way?

The carrying capacity of earth is unknown, and 6.5 billion may already be far too many to be sustainable. A big assumption of determining carrying capacity is the stability of the environment. As we live on a Dynamic planet, replete with change, we may find that the number of people earth can support may be much lower.

People are STUPID. It's a fact, and most of them are arrogant enough to not acknowledge that fact.

When "Social Darwinism" is not allowed to play out, as you observe, then people who (by all rights) should have died do NOT, and add to the (over)population of this planet.

You (nor I) can't change the world, so we just need to try to find a bit of happiness on our journey into oblivion. It's a downward spiral from here, people, so hang on for the ride.

We all want to live long and healthy lives. With the advancement of technology, it's getting closer to being real. Unfortnatley, that has its conquenses as you mentioned: overpopulation. But nature usually takes care of this anyway, through floods, droughts, famine, etc. etc. etc.

The earth could handle a lot more than 8 billion people. I don't know where you found that figure, but I can't see how it could be true. There are over a billion people in China--if 8 billion were truly the limit for the earth, you'd already be seeing a population downturn in China as it would already be past the limit at 1 billion people (unless they open their borders and let people emigrate).

Man does have to deal with the possibility of a Mathusean catastrophe, but the danger isn't nearly that immediate. We will need to come up with new resources, especially as far as living space is concerned. If areas that are hard to live in like deserts, oceans, or the arctic could be changed so that they are liveable for humans, this would also ease the pressure.

Fifty years ago it was said that the earth would only be able to "handle" four billion people. Before that the number was even less. So, what's the problem?

By the way your comment about man and nature shows you don't know "squat" about what you are talking about.

There is plenty of space for many more than 8-10 or even 20 billion. Providing we find methods to irrigate dry and inhospitable areas. The Israelis turned a small desert region into a major food exporter. ( after grabbing it from the Palestinians)

Instead of western countries wasting money on weapons and useless wars, they should be developing efficient Desalination systems and food production..

but obviously if everyone tries to live like a westerner then there won't be enough resources to support so many.

The average American uses 50 times more energy than an Indian.