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Is it safe to have a child? Americans rethink family planning ahead of Trump’s return
(www.theguardian.com)
this post was submitted on 30 Nov 2024
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collapse of the old society
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If you're seriously asking yourself this, let me refer you to Mr. Darwin.
I get that people have myriad reasons for not having kids, and I truly respect those reasons, whatever they may be.
But if you throw your hands in the air and say, "Gosh! This is horrible! How irresponsible to bring children into this world!", fine. I'm OK with that. I really am. You're kind of a pussy, but I'm fine with that.
OTOH, my genes will outlive yours, because they're tougher, selfish. This is Biology 101. Maybe check out Dawkin's The Selfish Gene, because that's how the world works. It's simple science, evolution.
tl;dr: I've never given two fucks if my line continues, none, never a thought. But give up a billion years of perfect heritage if you wish. I will not. My children will inherit the Earth, while your line dies. I'm ambivalent on the question, done my part. Roll the dice!
I've read The Selfish Gene and also studied Biology, earning a BS in the process. One thing you fail to consider is your genes are diluted with each generation. Your children will have 50% of your genes, your grandchildren 25%, and their children will each have 12.5% of your precious genes. And lest you think your genes are somehow unique and valuable, most likely 100% of them already exist in other people.
You also fail to mention that Dawkins, rightfully concerned about those using his work to justify selfishness, explicitly discusses how, now that we know of these selfish-replicators, we can cultivate pure altruism - going against our biological programming and doing the right thing. That's what people who choose not to have children are doing - they are acting in the best interests of humanity.
This is one nice thing about getting older, I've met younger people I didn't even share an ethnicity with that had traits that I thought were uniquely particular to me. They're rare but they're out there. Good to know whatever makes me special is perennial. As far as carrying on family traditions I'm okay with it being a lost cause (some cousins had kids so not a complete loss) but no doubt similar enough eyes will look out on this blasted world in a dozen and a thousand generations.