Julian Simon was an American economist and demographer known for his optimistic views on population growth and resource availability. He argued that human ingenuity and innovation could overcome challenges related to resource scarcity, suggesting that more people could lead to more ideas and solutions. Born on February 12, 1932, Simon gained prominence in the 1980s with his book, *The Ultimate Resource*, where he contended that human creativity is the most valuable resource. His ideas often contrasted with those of environmentalists, such as Paul Ehrlich, who warned about overpopulation and resource depletion. Simon's work continues to influence debates on population and sustainability.