The Need to Breed

[Cinjin]

Therein lies the rub, no one would be forcing any government to kill anyone. The whole killing folks bit would remain as optional then as it is now. Why shouldn't the enforcers of this population control scheme just kill themselves to make way for a newborn? Laying aside my constant criticism of the idea of population control on the basis of faulty benchmarks - lets assume that we absolutely and unequivocally reached our limit. Leys assume that we could do no more, that we where stretched to threads. At that point, would we start enforcing this policy by violence? Well, judging by our sad history in this regard, probably. Let's be honest, we can't even seem to keep our hands out of each others pockets except by force, ultimately. Even petty crimes which do nothing to imperil humanity as a whole continue unabated. At that point (the point where we leverage force), let me ask you what would be worth saving Cinjin? In a world where human life is so many beans to be counted, what do we have to offer?

To me, the solutions we are likely to field for this problem, no matter how near or distant are so utterly dehumanizing that they leave me asking "who the fuck cares"? I could never tell someone that they just cant have another child. Couldn't bring myself to do it. I wouldn't listen if someone told me that I couldn't have another child. "The greater good" sounds awfully goddamned shitty in that scenario, definitely isn't a pitch that would work on me.

Now, as far as why people have children. It is pretty wel established that economically dis-advatanged people tend to have more children. I do recall reading about a couple of interesting programs on that front (the location escapes me but you might be able to find more info). The quote "A tree is better than a son" stuck with me from one article I read about one program. However interesting outlayers aside having a large number of offspring is still a viable survival strategy for people with nothing. Kids (despite all the common wisdom to the contrary) are cheap.

Actually, I find that sentiment totally fair. What exactly is worth saving if we are forced to kill each other to do it? I don't know. And my point with Epimethean is that I don't believe there is an answer that will keep people from breeding. I don't want to tell people to stop breeding either, but that doesn't change the fact that that is exactly what needs to happen. It's easy for us, and even easier for our grandfathers, to scoff at voluntary sterilization, but 50/60/70 years from now, those 30-something parents with 6 year olds are going to be desperate to give their offspring a future ... and it'll be too late.
I wonder if they will be saying "who the fuck cares" or if they will endorse the idea of forcing the next generation (or some other country) to cease all procreation. Probably not. Instead they'll probably just nuke the problem. It's far quicker and easier just to blame the "guiltier" parties and blow 'em off the face of the earth for the good of society.
In the end, there is no easy fix and there sure as hell is no moral right. There's only the question, do we want to save the human race at any cost? Maybe, maybe not.


There is another point I have to make though. This idea that having children is some sacred right. No one ever said that this drastic step would be easy or that it wouldn't be a major sacrifice for many people. Sorry, but surprise everybody, saving the planet isn't a walk in the park. Also, you'll notice that the only thing I've endorsed is VOLUNTEER sterilization. If you simply MUST have a child, go ahead, but do us all a favor and don't have 9 of them. You see, somebody, somewhere has to take responsibility for the future. What kind of life do you want your grandchild to have?

At any rate, I actually agree with both sides of this argument, and sometimes feel the way Ace feels: we're fucked, might as well enjoy what I can.
On the other hand, I sure would like my little boy to grow up to a planet that isn't an overcrowded dirtball where every day is a fight just to get bread and water.