Friday, August 07, 2009

Why I refuse to breed

My GF and I talked this morning very briefly about "have you ever had any regrets over not having children?",  I can honestly answer that with a no with minimal thought. But it got me to thinking why.
 
First, I believe that we as a race are over-breeding.  I get upset when I'm driving down the road and see a minivan proudly displaying the little family stickers with 5 kids showing as part of that family.  That is a serious problem. I respect families that have one or two kids, just enough to replace them when they are gone... but breeding like rabbits is not a sustainable future for our race.  Both in space and resources... we're on a single planet that is just too limited to handle the exponential growth that this breeding will cause.  That is one major reason why I have chosen not to procreate.  I'm actually sick enough in this thought that I feel 10 to 20% off the top of the human race wouldn't be a bad thing, but that's another thought. 
 
Second, I suck.  My default mode is lazy and self indulgent.  These are NOT traits that good parents display.  I'm sure everyone has these traits to one level or another, but I'm one of those people that look at myself, see a ton of those traits, and am not bothered by it in the slightest. 
 
Third, Humanity sucks too. Just take our political discourse for example.  The topics of the day are healthcare and economics.  The only thing I'm seeing is two sides of any issue girding themselves in slogans to scream to shout down the other side's shouting. Then they think if they shout louder that they have "won".  There's no room for compromise or discourse.  If you try to simply present anything factual you are drowned out by sound bites and slogans.  Screw it.  it's not worth it. 
 
Lastly, I think all of the above (less so my personal suckitude, but it's not helping) is leading me to one conclusion.  Our human race is a potential failure, and that this world we have made for ourselves is going to collapse and burn.  I'm pretty sure it won't happen fast enough to occur during my lifetime, but I can't say as much for the next generation.  So I choose to spare my offspring. 
 
I believe the problems are in the nature of what makes us human, not any particular problem that can be solved technologically or through any means other than changing fundamentally what we are.  It's the very concept of human nature that is the issue. 
 
 
If you are a friend of mine that is a breeder, understand I am not judging anyone with the above.  These are simply the points that have gone into my decision making.  You may not agree and therefore come to different conclusions.  That also is part of being human and I respect that. 
 
V

2 Comments:

Blogger Danielle Alberti said...

Bravo, Voodoo. Though I have no doubt that you would be an awesome father (your personal suckitude really isn't that extreme), I love seeing people take such a reasoned approach to the issue. Too often, I feel like the decision to become a parent is prompted by "the normal thing to do," or the desire to have a miniature version of oneself.
This, of course, stems largely from my experience with foster care, but I much prefer adoption--taking care of a child in need while simultaneously doing a little bit for the overpopulation problem.
Though I have no place to tell people how they should build their families, I wish more people would approach the issue as you have. Great post! =)

11:18 AM  
Blogger Carrie said...

When you need that "cute kid" fix, you can just borrow Katrina. :)

12:28 PM  

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I'm a geek, plain and simple. I used to fence, I play poker when I can, and am learning to play lacrosse. I also work WAY too much.

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