Subject: Is human population growth cyclic?

I recall a Scientific American article from the 70s or 80s that plotted historic 
and prehistoric world population on a log scale.  It showed repeated cycles of 
exponential growth punctuated by abrupt collapses.  I recall the bubonic plague 
as one of the lesser collapses.

Each peak of the cycle reached a higher population figure than an previous peak, 
still the nature of growth was cyclic.

I think of this in connection with global warming as an event which could cause 
a massive die-off.  

My question: Is it true that human population growth has been cyclic as I 
described?

Thank you.
 

Re: Is human population growth cyclic?