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And there we have the problem: collectively, we know we'd be better off with a lower birthrate, but it's unthinkable to infringe on individuals' right to reprod
by EForEndeavour 7y ago
And there we have the problem: collectively, we know we'd be better off with a lower birthrate, but it's unthinkable to infringe on individuals' right to reproduce.
Genes that predispose people toward selfless, bigger-picture thinking will snuff themselves out while genes that promote selfishness proliferate.
- malvosenior 7y agoLow birthrates cause many problems, look at Japan. They have a massive labor shortage and a ballooning elderly population with not enough people to take care of them. I don't think it's clear at all that a lower birthrate is a good thing.
- EForEndeavour 7y agoJapan is a bit of an extreme example. A manageably low(er) global birth rate would be better for the climate, among other things.
- malvosenior 7y agoJapan isn’t that different from most other first world countries: http://worldpopulationreview.com/countries/total-fertility-rate/ http://worldpopulationreview.com/countries/total-fertility-r...
- EForEndeavour 7y agoJapan is indisputably a demographic outlier. It's the oldest country, meaning even without having the absolute lowest birthrate, its population poised to shrink at one of the fastest rates on earth. Combined with its conservative immigration, low birth rate is only part of the picture.
- malvosenior 7y agoYes, but encouraging a lower birth rate in first world countries will quickly put them in the same position as Japan currently is in.