RE: [MLUG - DISCUSSION] speaking of apocalyptic horsemen...

[Mike Miller <EMAIL:PROTECTED>]

On Tue, 1 Apr 2003, Matthew Ross wrote:

> Its rational as a species to reproduce, to overproduce is another matter
> entirely.

What does it mean to "overproduce" offspring?  How many is too many?


> It is rational to use contraceptives if the species is too numerous to
> be sustained.

No, it isn't.  The rational will contribute to the greater good and go
extinct?  Is that rational?


> It is also rational to use contraceptives when you personally are
> incapeable of financially supporting a dependant.

That depends.  Can't you get someone else to pay for it?


> The rational thing from a biologists perspective is for the more
> productive members of society to reproduce, and the less productive to
> no reproduce. Unfortunately the opposite happens more often because the
> productive are out working, and the unproductive have plenty of time for
> reproduction.

OK, if by "the rational thing from a biologists perspective" you mean
"what most intelligent people would want to see."  We agree on that.  I'd
like to see social systems that promote reproduction of the most
intelligent and healthy people.  I think we can do a lot better than we
are doing now.  I'm not saying we should be coercive like the Nazi's were
(e.g., sterilizing the putatively mediocre against their wishes), but we
can change the tax code and welfare regulations in accordance with the
principle that 'better' people make 'better' children.

Mike
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