I self-describe as a "political anti-natalist," but it is frustrating to see an anti-natalist movement which is so ... privileged. Rich white people living in California whining about their suffering is a turn off to me. It just strikes me as self-absorbed and narcissistic. That doesn't mean that lowering the global birth rate wouldn't be beneficial for much of the third world. But the attitude, intent, and motivation of people in the first world seems totally disconnected from a gratitude for the amazing life that we have in the west. There's so many cool things we can do! Like write Substack articles!
Most traditional faiths (Buddhism comes to mind immediately) recognize the duality between life and death, pleasure and suffering, etc. Not sure how we came to this nihilism.
Can’t wait to watch the documentary! As someone who grew up with selfish, narcissistic, (immature) parents, I made a conscious decision to be childless and not continue this cycle (this karma, this suffering) in any way. (Also the climate crisis, wealth gap, etc.) The pro-birth movement, OTOH, emphasized by right-wingers is starting to look an awful lot like the beginnings of “Handmaid’s Tale,” which is the backlash we’re all risking.
I self-describe as a "political anti-natalist," but it is frustrating to see an anti-natalist movement which is so ... privileged. Rich white people living in California whining about their suffering is a turn off to me. It just strikes me as self-absorbed and narcissistic. That doesn't mean that lowering the global birth rate wouldn't be beneficial for much of the third world. But the attitude, intent, and motivation of people in the first world seems totally disconnected from a gratitude for the amazing life that we have in the west. There's so many cool things we can do! Like write Substack articles!
Most traditional faiths (Buddhism comes to mind immediately) recognize the duality between life and death, pleasure and suffering, etc. Not sure how we came to this nihilism.
In any case, Darwin bats last.
Can’t wait to watch the documentary! As someone who grew up with selfish, narcissistic, (immature) parents, I made a conscious decision to be childless and not continue this cycle (this karma, this suffering) in any way. (Also the climate crisis, wealth gap, etc.) The pro-birth movement, OTOH, emphasized by right-wingers is starting to look an awful lot like the beginnings of “Handmaid’s Tale,” which is the backlash we’re all risking.
https://youtu.be/SDuHXTG3uyY
Kinda want to add that I think all parents to some extent are selfish, narcissistic.