Why Having Children is Foolish

[Captain Murphy]

Interesting . Very relevant to Spengler's theme of "dying" people. I recall some people asking why, when we are wealthier than at any point in history, people try to make economic rationalizations not to bear children. The conclusion seemed to be a warped value system and that those people who did not wish to breed were fundamentally anti-human and deserved to become extinct.

Whatever the case, the desire to have children is certainly an evolved trait that ensures the survival of the species. It may never have been truly pleasurable but rather an obvious necessity. Evolution does not plan, however. It only takes into account selection pressures in the present.

[amos]

[Endovelico]

I guess we all know that we are wired to want children, even when we actually don't... I have four of my own - two biological, two adopted -, some of whom have given me a fair share of worries, and I still don't regret having them. Raising children, trying to help them becoming civilized, caring, intellectually productive, relatively happy human beings, is most satisfactory most of the times. And the close relationship that creates, the humour, the complicity, the warmth, is more than enough reward. It's a damn good investment, if you ask me... But then, I never wanted to be rich...

[Rhapsody]

All people will always be exposed to serious risk of various sorts and nature, and shit will happen all the time, also in times of economic ups and the best doctors and medical high tech available. Murphy rules. The rational answer is to either just live with your head into the wind and fuck like rabbits, or all just jump off a cliff together and get over with it. A zombie Universe without any sentient-conscious organism still has a beauty, but with nobody around to enjoy, suffer or miss it. A big plus in terms of risk management.

[Mr. Perfect]