Got a headache that feels like a temperature... hot.

[flexagon]

This page asks a simple question: In light of the 40,000 children dying of malnutrition each day, and considering the number of species going extinct as a result of our excessive reproduction, do you think it would be a good idea to create another of yourself? YES/NO

Hmmm. I'm just barely beginning to squirm in guilt at the idea of donating eggs again. Not that I take VHEMT very seriously (they don't take themselves very seriously), but they do have a damn good point about the fact that having two kids per couple does do more than just replace that couple, in the short term... in 20 years there are two more adults on the planet, and the original adults are almost certainly still alive (and indeed will probably live to see their grandchildren born). If every couple only had two children, and that kept happening, then yes, in about 60-80 years we'd be holding at some constant level, but that level would be higher than today's current level. :(

Sigh... well... because of my beliefs and actions, four adults will be creating two children, and by the time those children are adults, the baby boomers will be taking their leave of the planet, so there's some reason not to feel too bad. Environmentally, though, I know bringing any baby into a first world country is about the worst thing anyone can do, whether it's one's first child or fifth one. Sad but true.

Anyway... I'm nervous. Tomorrow's the date we're supposed to have our mortgage finalized by, and we don't have it. The big loan's approved but not the little one, yet, and the big one depends on the little one. What this means, legally, is that the seller could back out of the whole thing tomorrow if he wanted to. What this means realistically is that we'll get an extension on the mortage date, and my lawyer will charge me a little more moolah. But still, I so much prefer it when things run smoothly.

Comments

[jg26.livejournal.com]

I've run into the VHEMT people before. I was out at the LAW (Land Air Water) conference @ University of Oregon in '95 or '96... now called The Public Interest Environmental Law Conference (http://www.pielc.org/). . Even with the single-minded idealism of a teenager, I still felt that they were a little unrealistic in their goals... though they do seem to have lightened up a bit since then, judgeing by the web page.
An interesting concept nonetheless. :)

[flexagon]

Yup. I, personally, would like to see human population be, say, halved, or so. But extinction seems silly. Have you seen the Church of Euthanasia? Even nuttier and less serious, plus they sell bumper stickers.

[jg26.livejournal.com]

*speechless*

wow... that is nutty... an actual step by step guide on how to butcher a human for consumption. YIKES!!!

Funny, I saw VHEMT selling those bumper stickers at the aforementioned conference

[flexagon]

Yeah, I really think the "cannibalism" pillar is only there for shock value. Doesn't really fit with the other three.