Why Didn't Thanos Just Double Resources Instead of Removing Half of Life in the MCU?

In the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), Thanos' motivating scenario was a 50% reduction in life to save his home planet, Titan. The entire series revolves around his quest to prove that this drastic action was necessary and effective, even though it didn't work as he hoped.

The Logic Behind Thanos' Decision

For Thanos, doubling the resources instead of culling half of life would have been a more straightforward and logically sound approach. Doubling resources would significantly boost the quality of life, whereas culling half of the population only offers a temporary solution that comes with severe ethical and practical consequences.

A Closer Look at Thanos' Rationality

Despite his immense intellect, Thanos is portrayed as someone who latched onto a simple solution and clung to it stubbornly. His belief in the effectiveness of his plan is so strong that it borders on delusion. For instance, after the Snap, he even denied the failure of his plan, attributing it to Gamora's "world."

Analogy with Real-World Ideologies

Thanos' rigid application of Malthusianism reflects the behavior of many real-world ideologues, whether it be libertarianism, communism, or any other economic or political theory. These individuals are often convinced that their ideology is the perfect solution to complex problems and spend considerable time arguing its merits, often to the point of dogmatism.

Marcus Example and Its Implications

In the case of the MCU, Thanos' belief that doubling resources would work logically and ethically aligns better with practical and ethical considerations. Doubling resources could address the Malthusian dilemma without the dire consequences of mass culling. For instance, if Thanos had the power to double the sun's power output, or increase the volume of the oceans, the complex and potentially catastrophic consequences would be avoided. Killing half of all life, as seen in the Snap, is a simplistic and less effective response to the problem.

Thanos’ Motivations in MCU vs. Comics

The motivations for Thanos differ significantly between the MCU and the comics. In the comics, Thanos wanted to reduce life to impress Death, the entity he was in love with. However, the MCU stripped away this romantic aspect, replacing it with a more logical and practical motivation: dealing with overpopulation. Despite this shift, Thanos' actions still lack a logical connection to the problem he sought to solve. Implementing the Snap without the possibility of unlimited resources was a choice that made little sense, given the power he possessed.

Conclusion

Thanos' decision to remove half of life rather than doubling resources reflects a significant flaw in his logic and motivation. While his actions are driven by his deep-seated beliefs and ideologies, these choices often fail to address the underlying issues in a practical and ethical manner. Understanding these flaws can provide valuable insights into the characters and plot developments in the MCU.