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I was thinking more along the lines of "I'm not in a position to have children because I can't afford them, so I won't. Now I have more time to fill, what's on

by onion2k 5mo ago

I was thinking more along the lines of "I'm not in a position to have children because I can't afford them, so I won't. Now I have more time to fill, what's on TV?" How can you tell that isn't what's happened from looking at the rise of tech?

echelon 5mo ago
The wealthy demographics aren't having kids either, and the decline correlates with each inflection point in the rise of pleasure and mental stimulation technology. Sub-Saharan birthrates are starting to decline just as they're gaining access to smartphones. All of the countries where women have fewer rights are also experiencing decline in birthrates. They have ~10-30% smartphone penetration. "Having a child seems fun" is dopamine opportunity cost as much as a financial one. People have always been poorer, but they've never been so endlessly stimulated. > I'm not in a position to have children because I can't afford them, so I won't. Now I have more time to fill, what's on TV? Replace this with, "I'm bored. What's on TV / YouTube?" Everything else is unnecessary complication.