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> reproduction is the definite measure of success. For a species, sure. For an individual, absolutely not. Personally, I'd just say "happiness" is the measur

> reproduction is the definite measure of success. For a species, sure. For an individual, absolutely not. Personally, I'd just say "happiness" is the measure of success, with "happiness" having a definition that varies from individual to individual.

carlosjobim 4y ago
Especially for an individual. In the end that is the only measure at all of success, if you have a living heritage.
- teachrdan 4y ago
  That's kind of a reductive definition of success. I have one biological child. Am I less successful than a sperm donor who has "fathered" multiple children? Is this the lifehack childless millennials have been waiting for?
  - carlosjobim 4y ago
    Yes, for now he is more successful. But at least you are in the game. A person who doesn't have any children is effectively eradicated for all future. That is total failure.
- Sohcahtoa82 4y ago
  People have babies accidentally all the damn time. Nearly half of pregnancies are unintended. If something you can achieve purely by accident is something that counts as success, then you have a strange idea of what counts as success. And heritage? Please. Over 99.99% of the world population is completely unremarkable, will not be in any history books or Wikipedia articles, and will be forgotten within a couple generations by everyone except maybe a couple relatives. Heritage. Hah. You're a funny dude.
  - carlosjobim 4y ago
    History books or Wikipedia articles mean nothing. > Over 99.99% of the world population is completely unremarkable They are the survivors of more than a billion years of incessant struggle. They are genetically the absolute elite of all elites, including you. That is incredibly remarkable. You carry that heritage and honour in your genes, and shouldn't throw it away just because the rulers have learned how to hack the human brain using mass media and schooling. When the rulers say pay taxes and pay mortgage, that is unnatural and diseased. When your body and spirit says have sex and procreate, that is natural and healthy. "Unintended pregnancies" is the body and subconscious taking control, because the genetical programming of the human being to survive is superior to the mind programming of the rulers. And always will be.
    - Sohcahtoa82 4y ago
      Whew lad, there's so much to unpack here that I'm just going to throw out the entire suitcase. Have a good day.

carlosjobim 4y ago

Especially for an individual. In the end that is the only measure at all of success, if you have a living heritage.

teachrdan 4y ago
That's kind of a reductive definition of success. I have one biological child. Am I less successful than a sperm donor who has "fathered" multiple children? Is this the lifehack childless millennials have been waiting for?
- carlosjobim 4y ago
  Yes, for now he is more successful. But at least you are in the game. A person who doesn't have any children is effectively eradicated for all future. That is total failure.
Sohcahtoa82 4y ago
People have babies accidentally all the damn time. Nearly half of pregnancies are unintended. If something you can achieve purely by accident is something that counts as success, then you have a strange idea of what counts as success. And heritage? Please. Over 99.99% of the world population is completely unremarkable, will not be in any history books or Wikipedia articles, and will be forgotten within a couple generations by everyone except maybe a couple relatives. Heritage. Hah. You're a funny dude.
- carlosjobim 4y ago
  History books or Wikipedia articles mean nothing. > Over 99.99% of the world population is completely unremarkable They are the survivors of more than a billion years of incessant struggle. They are genetically the absolute elite of all elites, including you. That is incredibly remarkable. You carry that heritage and honour in your genes, and shouldn't throw it away just because the rulers have learned how to hack the human brain using mass media and schooling. When the rulers say pay taxes and pay mortgage, that is unnatural and diseased. When your body and spirit says have sex and procreate, that is natural and healthy. "Unintended pregnancies" is the body and subconscious taking control, because the genetical programming of the human being to survive is superior to the mind programming of the rulers. And always will be.
  - Sohcahtoa82 4y ago
    Whew lad, there's so much to unpack here that I'm just going to throw out the entire suitcase. Have a good day.