(no subject)

[rivka]

james_nicoll linked to the Voluntary Human Extinction Movement, an organization whose platform calls for a voluntary end to all human reproduction, as the only possible means of saving the environment.

So okay, they're crackpots. Pessimistic, misanthropic, doom-relishing crackpots. There's something to shake your head at on every page. But what really got me was this little fantasy about how great it would be if the ability to reproduce suddenly vanished, worldwide:

Gradual extinction of the human race will result if zygotes of Homo sapiens never again begin cell division.

Abortion providers might be the first to notice -- happily going out of business in a few months. A worldwide panic might set in, but without reason. There would be no negative impact on the world nor on society as a whole.

Individuals' lives could change profoundly, but all for the good. Starving people would begin finding enough to eat and resources would become more plentiful. New housing would be unnecessary.

All human technology would be scaled back but could still advance. Nuclear power plants could begin to be safely decommissioned. Dams could be removed. Technology could focus on dealing with unsolved problems such as radioactive and other toxic wastes. Healing the wounds of past exploitations could become a priority, reversing the expanding deserts and shrinking forests.

Some of our influences, such as global warming, may be impossible to stop and reverse at this point, but we could ameliorate the effects somewhat.

Conditions for society would also improve as shortages are eliminated and our death rate drops to an unheard of low.

Domestic plants and animals could be phased out as farms and ranches are converted to ecosystems supporting wildlife and natural vegetation.

The last humans could enjoy their final sunsets peacefully, knowing they have returned the planet to as close to the garden of Eden as possible under the circumstances.

The last one out could turn off the lights.

The only conclusion I can come to, based on this section, is that the folks at VHEMT are a bunch of young, healthy idiots who sit at their computers all day and have never actually ventured out into society or even met another human being.

Although I suppose that there is the alternative hypothesis: that once humans stop reproducing, a race of invisible fairies will appear to provide the labor and services required to allow an aging population to "enjoy their final sunsets peacefully."

Comments

[rivka.livejournal.com]

Hee! That must be it. I don't know why I didn't think of it before, because we watch Disney Sing-Along videos all the time.