TO PROCREATE OR NOT; THAT IS THE QUESTION!

AVITW PART I

I SEE WHERE THE SKY IS FALLING AGAIN AND THE CURRENT ALARMISTS ARE PREDICTING A PANDEMIC OF ASIAN INFLUENZA. OF COURSE, POLITICIANS OF EVERY COUNTRY ARE RUSHING TO JOIN THE PARADE OF WORLD SAVIORS (AND SPEND BILLIONS OF DOLLARS) IN A CAUSE THAT WILL EARN THEM LESS ENMITY THAN THEY USUALLY RECEIVE FOR THEIR SUPPORT OF MORE CONTROVERSIAL CAUSES.

IN THEIR BLIND RUSH TO SQUELCH YET ANOTHER EPISODE OF ONE OF THE FEW CONTROLS THAT EXIST ON THE BURGEONING POPULATION (DISEASE), THE OTHERS BEING WAR, (MURDER OF FELLOW HUMANS IN ITS VARIOUS GUISES, WHICH THE ABOVE MENTIONED POLITICIANS HAVE CHOSEN TO EUPHEMISTICALLY MISLABEL AS POLICE ACTIONS, GENOCIDE, INSURGENCIES, TERRORISM, REBELLION, WHATEVER WORD(S) JUSTIFIES SUCH BEHAVIOR) STARVATION AND NATURAL DISASTERS IN THEIR VARIOUS MANIFESTATIONS, I BELIEVE, THE WORLD’S PRO-LIFE ACTIVISTS FAIL TO RECOGNIZE THE CONTRIBUTION THAT THESE HISTORICAL OCCURRENCES MAKE TO THE SURVIVAL OF THE SPECIES AND SUMMARILY IGNORE THE CONSEQUENCES OF UNCONTROLLED POPULATION GROWTH. THAT IS NOT TO SAY THAT THE AUTHOR SUGGESTS IGNORING HUMAN SUFFERING IS DESIRABLE, BUT TO RECOGNIZE THE GREATER DANGERS THAT THESE EVENTS HAVE MANAGED TO POSTPONE OVER THE FIRST NINETEEN CENTURIES A.D. IN A PERVERSE, BUT UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCE, THESE EVENTS AND/OR THE INDIVIDUALS BEHIND THEM, IN CASES INVOLVING HUMAN ACTIONS OR INACTIONS, (SINS OF OMISSION OR COMMISSION?) WHICH EITHER CAUSED OR PERMITTED COUNTLESS HUMANS TO PERISH, THE SURVIVAL OF THE HUMAN RACE WAS ENHANCED TO THE EXTENT THAT THE NUMBER OF PROGENY WERE DECREASED.

IN A RECENT NEWS ARTICLE REGARDING THE DEATH OF A KINDLY, I SUSPECT, GREAT-GRANDMOTHER, IT WAS REPORTED THAT THIS LONE ESTIMABLE HUMAN BEING WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR SOME 400 LIVING DECENDENTS IN THE SPAN OF HER LIFETIME. THIS EXPONENTIAL GROWTH OF POPULATION AND THE POTENTIAL CONSEQUENCES WERE POSTULATED BY THOMAS MALTHUS A COUPLE OF CENTURIES AGO. THAT HIS PREDICTIONS HAVE YET TO BE REALIZED IS A COMBINATION (WITCHES BREW?) OF GOOD FORTUNE AND MISFORTUNE, BUT IS HARDLY CAUSE FOR REJOICING, CONSIDERING THE PRESENT CIRCUMSTANCES OF DEPLETED RESOURCES, INCREASING POLUTION AND THE OTHER DELETEROUS EFFECTS OF INCREASING POPULATION ON THE ENVIRONNMENT WHICH SUPPORTS THAT POPULATION. WITH A PREPONDERANCE OF EXISTING INDIVIDUALS LIVING IN ABJECT POVERTY, IF NOT IN PERIL OF THEIR LIVES, ONE PAUSES TO GIVE HEED TO THE PROCESS.

ONE SIDE OF THE EQUATION, WHICH MALTHUS DID NOT FORESEE, WAS THE INCREASING ABILITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY TO PROVIDE FOOD, CLOTHING AND SHELTER FOR THE BILLION OR MORE HE ENVISIONED AS A DISASTEROUS CONSEQUENCE OF UNLIMITED PROCREATION. ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE EQUATION WERE THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY ENABLING HUMANS TO KILL COUNTLESS MILLIONS OF HUMANS, WHICH WAS NOT POSSIBLE USING SWORDS, SPEARS OR EVEN THE PRIMITIVE FIREARMS OF HIS ERA.

IT IS IRONIC THAT THE INDIVIDUALS, AMONG THE MOST DESPISED IN THE CIVILIZED WORLD, INCLUDING THE KAISER, STALIN, HITLER, MUSSOLINI, TOJO AND HIROHITO, CHAIRMAN MAO, HO CHI MIN, HUSSEIN AND IMIN AND HIS ILK IN AFRICA, ACTUALLY CONTRIBUTED TO THE SURVIVAL OF EXISTING HUMANS BY CAUSING THE ANNIHILATION OF MILLIONS IN THE PROCESS OF THEIR EFFORTS TO IMPOSE THEIR WILL ON OTHERS. (SEE NATIONAL NAGS)

OF COURSE, THE LEADERS OF THEIR VICTORIOUS, OR NOT SO VICTORIOUS, OPPOSITION, SINCE THE FINAL RESOLUTION OF SOME OF THESE CONFLICTS REMAINS UNCLEAR OR UNRESOLVED, INCLUDING WILSON, CHURCHILL, ROOSEVELT, TRUMAN, JOHNSON AND THE BUSHES ARE EQUALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE LESSENING THE GROWTH OF POPULATION TO DATE. IS IT NOT EQUALLY IRONIC THAT THE NATION ESPOUSING THE HIGHEST VALUE FOR HUMAN LIFE IS A LEADING PARTICIPANT IN THE ENDING OF HUMAN LIFE? THAT THESE INDIVIDUALS ARE INEXHORIBLY LINKED IN EXTENDING, IF NOT PRESERVING, THE HUMAN SPECIES, FOR A YET UNDETERMINED SPAN OF TIME, IS, TO SAY THE LEAST, A PRIME EXAMPLE OF THE LAW OF UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES.

ANOTHER UNFORSEEN, BUT CONTRIBUTING FACTOR TO POPULATION GROWTH, IS THE ADVENT OF MODERN MEDICINE AND THE ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL ENTITIES WHICH IMPLEMENT THESE ADVANCES, WHICH PRESERVE AND/OR EXTEND THE LIVES OF MILLIONS OF INDIVIDUALS, THUS DETERMINING, WHICH OF THE REST WILL SUFFER THE CONSEQUENCES FROM THE LACK OF ADEQUATE CONTROLS ON POPULATION. THAT THE UNFORTUNATE CASUALTIES FROM THE AFOREMENTIONED CONTROLS ON POPULATION SEEM TO DIVIDE ALONG RACIAL, ETHNIC AND ECONOMIC LINES IS NOT DESPUTED, BUT THAT IS ANOTHER TOPIC.

IN 1967, THE AUTHOR, WHO HAD PREVIOUSLY PERCEIVED EDUCATION AS THE MOST IMPORTANT AREA FOR CONTRIBUTING TO THE IMPROVEMENT OF MANKIND, BEGAN TO UNDERSTAND THAT THE FORESIGHT OF MARGARET SANGER HAD FAR MORE IMPORTANCE THAN THE INSIGHTS OF JOHN DEWEY. THAT THIS CONVICTION HAS BEEN SUPPORTED BY A LIFETIME OF OBSERVATION AND INCREASING POPULATION, LEADS INEVITABLY TO AN EXAMINATION OF THE SITUATION WHICH, IF NOT CRITICAL, IS CERTAINLY APPROACHING THAT POINT AND WILL SURPASS IT IF NOTHING CHANGES.

THAT IS NOT TO SAY THAT THE AUTHOR SUPPOSES SIGNIFICANT CHANGES WILL OCCUR UNTIL THE CRISIS IS REACHED, BUT THERE ARE SOME HOPEFUL SIGNS IN SOME RATHER UNEXPECTED PLACES. ON THE OTHER HAND, THE INEXORABLE MARCH TO SELF-DESTRUCTION CONTINUES APACE AS THE PROPONENTS AND PRACTIONERS OF UNCONTROLLED PROCREATION FAR EXCEED THOSE WHO UNDERSTAND THE CONSEQUENCES OF SUCH BEHAVIOR.

AS ONE OF THE SURVIVORS, BUT NOT FOR LONG, IT NOW SEEMS IMPERATIVE TO ENTER THE FRAY OF CONFLICTING POLITICAL IDEOLOGIES AND/OR RELIGIOUS BELIEFS ABOUT THE SANCTITY OF LIFE. A PART OF THIS IS THE BELIEF THAT THOSE WHO ENJOY THE PRIVILIGE OF SURVIVAL, HAVE SOME OBLIGATION TO CARE FOR THE PLANET WHICH SUSTAINS THEM, IF NOT TO LEAVE IT A BETTER PLACE THAN WHEN THEY ARRIVED. A CURSORY PERUSAL OF HISTORY AND CURRENT EVENTS WILL SHOW THAT THIS MAXIM IS WIDELY DESPUTED BY THOSE WHO TAKE (USE UP?) FAR MORE THAN THEIR FAIR SHARE OF RESOURCES AND FAR IN EXCESS OF WHAT IS SUSTAINABLE.

SINCE ORIGINAL THOUGH IS INDEED RARE, IT BECOMES NECESSARY FOR SUCCEEDING GENERATIONS TO SYNTHESIZE WHAT HAS GONE BEFORE AND OFFER SOME REFINEMENT TO A PHILOSOPHY OF LIFE, BE IT THE ANCIENT GREEK CONCEPT OF A SOUND MIND IN A SOUND BODY, OR THE MORE CONTEMPORARY VERSION OF A LIFE WORTH LIVING, E.G. THE AMASSING OF AS MANY TOYS AS POSSIBLE BEFORE ONE DIES. THAT IS NOT TO SAY THAT OTHERS WILL HEED WORDS OF WISDOM IN A TIMELY MANNER, BUT IT IS NECESSARY FOR THEM TO EXIST SO THAT OTHERS, WHO FACE THE REALITIES ANTICIPATED, MAY HARKEN BACK TO THEM FOR COUNSEL AS TO WHICH ROAD MAY OFFER THE MOST DESIRABLE ALTERNATIVE TO FOLLOW.

THE HAND THAT WRITES THE SCRIPTS OF LIFE IS ELUSIVE AT BEST. THERE ARE THOSE THAT POSTULATE THAT HEREDITY CONTROLS ONES DESTINY AND OTHERS, WITH EQUAL CERTAINTY, HOLD THAT IT IS THE ENVIRONMENT THAT DETERMINES THE OUTCOMES OF LIFE. SOME TEACH THAT PEOPLE HAVE OPTIONS. OTHERS SAY THAT CHANCE DECIDES WHO WILL SURVIVE AND IN WHAT MANNER. THE ARCHIVES OF KNOWLEDGE ARE FULL OF LEARNED TOMES ARGUING ARCHANE, BUT MINISCULE VIEWPOINTS, WHILE POPULAR MEDIUMS OF COMMUNICATION, INCLUDING CONTEMPORARY ARTS AND TELECOMUNICATION, INNUNDATE THE MIND WITH TRIVIA OF EVERY IMAGINABLE SORT. THE STORY OF NERO FIDDLING WHILE ROME BURNED SEEMS APROPOS. TRAGICALLY, THE OPPORTUNITY FOR RECEIVING INFORMATION FAR EXCEEDS THE CAPACITY TO ABSORB IT OR TO CONSIDER ITS VALUE.

STILL, THROUGH THE CACOPHONY OF SIGHTS, WORDS AND SOUNDS, T.O.M. POSTULATED THAT THERE MUST BE SOME UNDERLYING PRINCIPLES OF REASON AND GOODNESS UPON WHICH TO BASE ONES LIFE AND BEHAVIOR. IT IS TO THIS END THAT HE SEEKS REFUGE FROM THE SPURIOUS STRUGGLES FOR POWER AND WEALTH, IN THIS THE DAWNING OF THE TWENTY FIRST CENTURY, A.D., TO SORT, WHILE HIS MIND RETAINS THE CAPACITY TO DO SO, THOSE IDEAS THAT SEEM RELEVANT FOR THE SURVIVAL OF THE SPECIES, EVEN WHILE VIEWING THE POSSIBILITY THAT THE TIME MAY BE PAST FOR SUCH INSIGHTS. ONE MUST CONSIDER THE POSSIBILITY THAT THE SURVIVAL OF THE HUMAN SPECIES IS VERY MUCH IN DOUBT.

IN HIS PERCEPTION OF HISTORY, IT IS THE PRECEDING GENERATION (THE SO CALLED GREATEST GENERATION) THAT EXPERIENCIED THE APEX OF CIVILIZATION AND OPPORTUNITY. IT IS HIS GENERATION THAT HAS SQUANDERED THAT LEGACY THROUGH VENAL PURSUITS. THE DATE, DULY NOTED, AS THE START OF THE DECLINE AND FALL OF WESTERN CIVILIZATION IS APRIL 11, 1951. WHILE SIGNIFICANT, IT DOES NOT OBVIATE THE DESIRE TO IMPART WHAT CAN BE LEARNED FROM HISTORY AND WHAT A SCENARIO OF THE FUTURE MAY HOLD, DEPENDING UPON WHOSE VERSION OF REALITY PREVAILS.

THE NOTED AUTHOR, GEORGE ORWELL, SELECTED THE YEAR 1984 AS THE TIME WHERE HUMAN CHOICES, AS TO WHERE AND HOW TO SURVIVE, WOULD BE SEVERLY LIMITED, IF NOT OBLITERATED. IT IS THE AUTHOR'S OPINION THAT THE AFOREMENTIONED RANDOM CONTROLS ON POPULATION HAVE DELAYED THIS TIME UNTIL THE YEAR 2015 WHEN IT IS ANTICIPATED THAT THE CONFLUENCE OF CUMULATIVE ERRORS OF MANKIND WILL MAKE THE SITUATION OBVIOUS TO A MAJORITY OF THE POPULATION, IN THIS COUNTRY, IF NOT OTHERS, WHICH HAS BORNE THE REST OF THE WORLD ON ITS BACK FOR THE PAST 65 YEARS. THE SELF-INFLICTED CATASTROPHY WILL, NO DOUBY, GIVE RISE TO MANY HERETOFORE "UNTHINKABLE SOLUTIONS" AND WILL GENERATE A COLOSSAL ATTEMPT TO EXCAPE THE RESPONSIBILITY AND CONSEQUENCES OF WHAT HAS BEEN WROUGHT. GIVEN THAT ROME FELL IN 400 YEARS; GREAT BRITAIN AND COMMUNISM IN LESS THAN ONE HUNDRED; CAN THE ACCELERATING PACE OF SELF-DESTUCTION BE CONTAINED WITHIN THE NEXT DECADE?

ONE DOUBTS THAT THE QUARRELING FACTIONS, EACH SEEKING TO PROTECT WHATEVER PROPRIETARY INTERESTS STILL REMAIN, WILL FIND THE UNITED WILL TO DO WHAT IS NECESSARY FOR THE GOOD OF ALL. NOW, AS ALWAYS, OPTIONS REMAIN. STILL, ONE WONDERS, WILL IT BE CHANCE, AS IN THE CONTINUED CONFRONTATIONAL WAYS OF DESPOTS AND OTHER RANDOM CONTROLS, OR WILL IT BE THE CONSCIOUS AND POSSIBLY WISE DECISIONS OF THOSE IN POWER WHICH DETERMINE THE OUTCOME? GOD KNOWS THAT THESE DECISIONS WILL NOT BE EASY AND WILL FLY IN THE FACE OF PREVIOUSLY STANDARDS OF CIVILIZED CONDUCT WHICH WERE AFFORDED ONLY BECAUSE EXISTING RESOURCES PERMITTED SUCH FOLLY. FOR THESE EXCESSES TO ENSURE THE DESTRUCTION OF CIVILIZATION, SUCH AS IT IS, IT IS ONLY NECESSARY TO CONTINUE THE COUNTER-PRODUCTIVE PRACTICES OF THE TWENTIETH CENTURY TO CONVERT THE DEMISE OF A LIFE WORTH LIVING INTO A STRUGGLE FOR SURVIVAL WHERE AN UNSUSTAINABLE POPULATION COMPETES FOR DIMINISHING AND DISAPPEARING RESOURCES.

FAILING A SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL BREAKTHROUGH, PROBABLY RELATED TO THE UTILIZATION OF SOLAR ENERGY, THE PROSPECTIVE DEFINITION OF LIFE WILL BE SUBSISTENCE AT ITS BASIC LEVEL. FOOD, SHELTER, WATER AND AIR SUITABLE FOR HUMANS WILL BE AT A PREMIUM AND WARS WILL BE WAGED, NOT FOR "ISMS", BUT FOR SUSTENANCE. THE WEAK WILL PERISH AND THE STRONG WILL PONDER IF THAT WERE NOT THE BETTER OPTION. VAMOS A VER!

T.O.M. OBSERVES, WITH A MIXTURE OF CONTEMPT AND AMUSEMENT, THOSE WHO STRUGGLE MIGHTILY, BY FAIR MEANS, OR MORE COMMONLY FOUL, TO ATTAIN MORE POWER, MORE MONEY, A MOMENT OF FAME OR A SEAT IN THE HALLS OF GOVERNMENT, WHILE TAKING PERVERSE PLEASURE THAT HIS ADVANCED AGE WILL SPARE HIM MOST OF THE DASTARDLY CONSEQUENCES OF SUCH CONDUCT. THE UNIVERSAL CONNECTOR CALLED LOVE DOES NOT ALLOW HIM THIS LUXURY WHEN PONDERING THE FATE OF HIS FAMILY AND FUTURE GENERATIONS HASTENED BY THE PERFIDY OF HIS GENERATION AND THE NEXT.

VOICES OF REASON ARE DROWNED OUT BY BABEL IN THE HALLS OF GOVERNMENT, THE MARKETPLACE, AND THE HOUSES OF WORSHIP AS THEY VIE FOR PERSONAL GAIN, BUREAUCRATIC GROWTH AND ECONOMIC OR MORAL SUPERIORITY. LIKEWISE, THE WORLD RESONATES WITH WELL MEANING CALLS TO PROTECT THE NATURAL RESOURCES THAT STILL EXIST, BUT ARE QUICKLY BEING DEPLETED. SADLY, THESE CALLS ARE ALWAYS AT THE EXPENSE OF SOME OTHER PERSON, ENTITY OR NATION, WITH LITTLE THOUGHT BEING GIVEN TO THE UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES WHICH, FAR TOO OFTEN, OUTWEIGH IN VALUE, THE SHORT TERM INTENDED CONSEQUENCES. THIS NOT TO DESPARAGE THOSE INVOLVED. THEY ARE RIGHT TO BE CONCERNED, IF NOT APPALLED OR OUTRIGHT DESPERATE. THE SITUATION IS DIRE. THE PROBLEM LIES IN THEIR PERCEIVED OPTIONS.

IN A GLOBAL EMPERICAL VIEW, THEIR ACTIVITIES RECALL TO MIND THE STORY OF A HUGE OVERLOADED SEMI-TRACTOR TRAILER. PICTURE SUCH A VEHICLE IGNORING THE CONSEQUENCES OF OVERLOADING (AN ANALOGY) TRAVELING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND BECOMING ENTRAPPED UNDER A CONCRETE OVERPASS WITH A HEIGHT SOMEWHAT LESS THAN THAT OF THE TRUCK(AN ANALOGY). AS IS TYPICAL OF THE MEDIOCRE MENTALITY OF THOSES IN POSITIONS OF AUTHORITY, (NOTE: IT IS A POSTULATED COROLLARY, THAT THOSE WITH SUPERIOR INTELLIGENCE AND ABILITY ARE FAR TOO WISE TO SACRIFICE THEIR LIVES IN AN EXERCISE OF FUTILITY IN SUCH POSITIONS OR ENVIRONS.) NUMEROUS GROUPS OF INDIVIDUALS, WITH VARYING DEGREES OF RESPONSIBILITY FOR EMERGENCY RESPONSE, (AS EXEMPLIFIED BY FEMA IN THEIR RECENT DEBACLE) SUCH AS HIGHWAY SAFETY, BRIDGE CONSTRUCTION, POLITICIANS SEEKING TO ADVANCE THEIR IMAGES AS CONCERNED PUBLIC SERVANTS, AS WELL AS THE EVER PRESENT LEGAL VULTURES SEEKING WINDFALL PROFITS FROM POTENTIAL NEGLIGENCE, CONVERGE ON THE SCENE.

EACH GROUP, WITH THEIR FOCUS ON EVADING BLAME AND APPEARING IN CONTROL, FORMULATE VARIOUS OPTIONS FOR RESOLVING THE SITUATION. NATURALLY, ALL INVOLVE GREAT TIME, EXPENSE AND UTILIZE THEIR RESPECTIVE CENTERS OF POWER, WHICH WOULD ALLOW THEM TO CLAIM CREDIT AND THE NEED FOR A BIGGER BUDGET. THE COMMONALITY AMONG ALL OPTIONS ARE THAT THEY ARE EXTREMELY COMPLICATED, EXPENSIVE AND HAVE LITTLE CHANCE OF SUCCESS. THAT THE TRUCK IS AN APT ANALOGY OF WHAT HAS HAPPENED WITH THE WORLD'S POPULATION WHILE THE BRIDGE REPRESENTS THE LIMITATIONS OF THE PLANET'S CAPACITY TO TOLERATE SUCH LOADS, SEEMS OBVIOUS. THE HIGHLY INVOLVED PROPOSALS REPRESENT THE WORLD'S TYPICAL RESPONSE TO EACH MINOR INCIDENT, LIKE THE ASIAN INFLUENZA, WHICH ARE SIMPLY THE WARNING SIGNS (SYMPTOMS?) FORTELLING IMMINENT CASTROPHY.

FORTUNTELY, A SMALL BOY, VIEWING THE SITUATION WITHOUT THE VESTED INTERESTS OF EACH GROUP AND NAIVELY UNAWARE OF THE ULTERIOR AND SPURIOUS MOTIVES OF EACH GROUP, (WHICH MUST JUSTIFY THEIR EXISTENCE) SUGGESTED IT WOULD NOT BE NECESSARY TO DESTROY THE BRIDGE OR BLOW UP THE TRUCK, WHICH REFLECTED THE NORM OF BUREAUCRATIC "SOLUTIONS" AND, OF COURSE, REQUIRE THEIR SERVICES TO RECONSTRUCT THE SAME SITUATION AGAIN AND AGAIN. THE LAD OPINED THAT, BY SIMPLY LETTING THE AIR OUT OF THE TIRES, THE TRUCK COULD EASILY BE REMOVED FROM IT RATHER SERIOUS PREDICAMENT. HOWEVER, IT IS OBVIOUS THAT THIS IS ONLY A TEMPORARY SOLUTION. SINCE EVER HIGHER BRIDGES CANNOT FOREVER BE CONSTRUCTED TO ACCOMMODATE THE EVER INCREASING "OVERLOADING", WHICH RESULTS FROM UNCONTROLLED GROWTH, OTHER STEPS ARE NECESSARY TO AVOID PROBLEMS IN THE FUTURE. TO BE MORE EXPLICIT, THE GRAVE SITUATION, WITH RESPECT TO THE DEPLETION OF OUR NATURAL RESOURCES, IS NOT ABOUT THOSE RESOURCES AT ALL. IT IS ABOUT THE BURDEN BEING PLACED ON THEM (AND ON OTHER INSTITUTIONS OF CIVILIZATION) BY VIRTUALLY UNRESTRICTED POPULATION GROWTH.

T.O.M. CAN STILL REMEMBER A TIME WHERE THERE WAS CLEAN AIR AND ABUNDANT FOOD, AS WELL AS WATER AND ENERGY FOR ALL WHO CARED TO "WORK". (A CLUE?) WITHOUT A SCIENTIFICALLY ACCURATE COUNT, THE POPULATION WAS ESTIMATED TO BE ABOUT 3 BILLION WIDELY DISPURSED INDIVIDUALS, WITH SHORTER LIFE SPANS AND HIGHER INFANT MORTALITY. THAT IS NOT TO IMPLY THAT INFANT MORTALITY OR A SHORT LIFESPAN ARE PREFERRED OPTIONS, BUT THEY DID CONTRIBUTE TO THE WELL BEING OF THE BALANCE BETWEEN RESOURCES AND LIFE ON OUR FRAGILE PLANET, WHILE WAR, DISEASE, STARVATION, NATURAL DISASTERS, A LACK OF FOOD, MEDICAL CARE AND AN "AT RISK" LIFESTYLE NOW SERVE TO CONTROL THE HUMAN POPULATION. IN A PERVERSE MANNER, THOSE ALIVE TODAY ARE INDEBTED TO THE CALAMITOUS NATURAL DISASTERS AND MONSTROUS ACTS OF HUMANS IN THE PAST, FOR WHATEVER, BENEFITS THEY ENJOY.

RETURNING TO THE QUESTON AT HAND, T.O.M. WONDERS IF THERE MIGHT NOT BE A BETTER WAY AND SURE ENOUGH THERE IS. SINCE HUMANS ARE A SPECIES WITH THE ABILITY AND OPPORTUNITY TO FORESEE AND ALTER THE FUTURE, THE QUESTION LIES IN WHAT MANNER SHALL WE DO SO?

OF COURSE, ONE OPTION IS TO CONTINUE DOING AS WE HAVE DONE IN THE PAST AND THAT IS TO INSIST THAT THE RIGHT TO UNLIMITED PROCREATION (LIFE?)IS SACROSANCT AND NOT SUBJECT TO MANAGEMENT AND CONTROL. DESPITE THE EFFORTS OF MS. SANGER, THERE EXIST AGENCIES AND INSTITUTIONS AS WELL AS GROUPS AND INDIVIDUALS THAT ESPOUSE THIS APPROACH. PERHAPS THE FATE OF THE LEMMINGS WILL SUFICE TO DEAL WITH THE IRRATIONALITY OF SUCH A POSITION, BUT ONE DOUBTS IT. THAT DOES NOT MEAN THAT THESE, OBVIOUSLY IRRATIONAL PROPONENTS OF LIFE, PROPOSE ANY SOLUTIONS FOR THE PAUCITY OF RESOURCES OR THE MISERY OF THEIR MINONS. IT WOULD SEEM THAT THEIR ONLY DESIRE IS TO INCREASE THE PROPORTION OF THEIR GIVEN POPULATION AT THE EXPENSE OF OTHERS.

AMONG THE CULPABLE ARE SOME GOVERNMENTS WHO NOW PAY FOR HUMAN INCUBATORS AND CERTAIN RELIGIOUS INSTITUTIONS THAT PROMOTE UNLIMITED PROCREATION WHILE ACCEPTING MINIMAL, IF ANY, RESPONSIBILITY (FOOD, SHELTER, HEALTH CARE, EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT, ETC.) FOR WHAT HAPPENS TO THESE NEW SOULS AFTER BIRTH. THEN, THERE ARE THE RELIGIOUS EXTREMISTS WHO HAVE HEARD FROM GOD THAT LIFE BEGINS AT THE MOMENT OF CONCEPTION AND MUST BE ACCORDED THE FULL PROTECTION OF THE CIVILIZED WORLD, EVEN WHEN THE INDIVIDUALS INVOLVED THINK OTHERWISE. OF COURSE THOSE AGENCIES OF GOVERNMENT AND THE WILLING RECIPIENTS OF LARGESSE FROM THESE SELF PERPETUATING BUREAUCRACIES, UNDERMINE THE CONCEPT OF PARENTAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR PROGENY AND BECOME A PART OF THE "PROBLEM" NOT THE SOLUTION. ALL HAVE A VESTED, SELF-SERVING INTEREST IN THEIR POSITIONS AND NONE SEEM WILLING TO VIEW THE CONSEQUENCES OF THEIR COLLECTIVE BEHAVIOR OR TO MODIFY THEIR POSITIONS SHORT OF COHERSION FROM MORE REASONABLE FACTIONS OF THE POPULATION.

THE INEVITABLE CONSEQUENCES OF JUMPING OFF THE CLIFF, SO TO SPEAK, ARE EASILY FORESEEN. THE HUMAN CONDITION, IN ALL OF ITS PARAMETERS, WILL STEADLY DESCEND INTO A LIVING HELL WITH NEIGHBOR SETTING UPON NEIGHBOR FOR THE FEW REMAINING RESOURCES UNTIL ALL ARE EXHAUSTED AND THE SPECIES CEASES TO EXIST. IF ONE WISHES A PREVIEW OF SUCH LIVING, HARKEN TO THE SQUALOR AND POVERTY OF DARKEST AFRICA OR THE SLUMS OF GREAT POPULATION CENTERS WHERE LIFE HAS LITTLE VALUE; HOPE CEASES AND ANY ECONOMIC OR SOCIAL PROGRESS IS OBLITERATED BY THE OVERWHELMING INFLUX OF NEW HUMANS TO FEED, CLOTHE, EDUCATE AND PROVIDE WITH MEANINGFUL EMPLOYMENT.

ADD TO THIS "WHICHES BREW" THE NON-VIABLE "PERSONS" E.G. THE BABIES KEPT ALIVE UNDER MEDICAL CONDITIONS COSTING MILLIONS OF DOLLARS OVER THEIR LIFETIME; THE ELDERLY EXISTING FOR A FEW MORE WEEKS OR MONTHS UNDER THE SAME MEDICAL LIFELINE AT ASTRONOMICAL COSTS PER DAY; THE ABANDONED AND FORGOTTEN YOUTH WHOSE ONLY "FAMILY" CONSISTS OF SIMILARLY ABANDONED AND FORGOTTEN YOUTH WHOSE SHEER NUMBERS AND STRENGTH GIVE THEM THE ABILITY TO SURVIVE LIKE A PACK OF WOLVES; THE DERELICTS OF SOCIETY WHOSE LIVES CONSIST MAINLY OF CRIME AND/OR DRUGS; AND THOSE WHOSE LIFESTYLE OF CHOICE RENDER THEM A BURDEN ON OTHERS AND YOU HAVE A SUBSTANTIAL NUMBER OF "LIVING" HUMANS WHO CONTRIBUTE NOTHING TO THE SURVIVAL OF THE SPECIES. TO THE CONTRARY, THE ABILITY OF THE REMAINING PRODUCTIVE INDIVIDUALS TO SURVIVE, WHILE SUPPORTING THESE INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE NO ABILITY OR PROSPECTS OF EVER BEING SELF-SUFFICIENT MEMBERS OF ANY SOCIETY, IS DECREASING ON A DAILY BASIS.

LEST ONE INFER THAT THESE INDIVIDUALS SHOULD BE SUMMARILY DONE AWAY WITH, YOU MISREAD THE ACCOUNT. THAT THEY SHOULD PROPERLY BE PERMITTED TO REACH A "NATURAL END" TO THEIR EARTHLY JOURNEY IS SUGGESTED AS A MORE REASONABLE AND NECESSARY OPTION AND WILL PROBLBLY BE PERMITTED, IF NOT MANDATED, IN THE NEAR FUTURE. WHEN THE CARE OF THESE NON-VIABLE INDIVIDUALS CAN NO LONGER BE PROVIDED WITHOUT INFRINGING ON THE LIVES OF THOSE WHO ARE NOW "FOOTING THE BILL" FOR THEIR EXISTENCE, THIS OPTION WILL SEEM EMININTLY DESIRABLE TO THE ALTERNATIVE. IN FACT, THOSE SUPPORTING THIS OPTION HAVE NO INTENTION OF PROVIDING THE WHEREWITHALL TO DO SO. SUCH SUPPORT IS MANAGED IN A TANGLED WEB OF FUTURE "DUE DATES", NOW AMOUNTING TO A REPORTED NINE TRILLION DOLLARS IN THIS COUNTRY ALONE. THE YEAR 2015 COMES TO MIND AGAIN.

T.O.M. HAS OBSERVED OVER THE YEARS, THAT VALUES, WHICH ARE OFTEN CONSIDERED WORTH SUPPORTING, SEEM TO CHANGE WHEN THE POCKETBOOKS OF THOSE HOLDING THESE VALUES ARE AFFECTED. SO LONG AS THE COST OF UPHOLDING THESE VALUES CAN BE PLACED ON THE BACKS OF OTHERS, E.G. THIRD PARTY PAYEES LIKE GOVERNMENTS, INSURANCE COMPANIES, CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS AND FUTURE GENERATIONS, THEY WILL HOLD SWAY. HOWEVER, WHEN THOSE "ADVOCATING" FOR THE RIGHTS OF THE UNFORTUNATE ARE REQUIRED TO SACRIFICE THEIR COMFORTABLE LIFESTYLES IN ORDER TO PAY FOR THESE INDIVIDUALS LIVING "UNNATURALLY" BECAUSE OF MODERN SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, IT IS POSTULATED THAT THESE VALUES WILL CEASE TO PREVAIL.

FOR THOSE WHO ADVOCATE AGAINST ABORTION OR THE NATURAL DEATHS OF NON-VIABLE FETUSES, THE ACCEPTANCE OF THE END OF EARTHLY EXISTANCE AMONG THE ELDERLY INDIVIDUALS LIVING IN A VEGETATIVE STATE AND THE NATURAL CONSEQUENCES OF THOSE WHOSE ADDICTION TO HIGH RISK LIFESTYLES, BE THEY DRUGS, SEX, ALCOHOL, SMOKING OR INJESTING COPIOUS AMOUNTS OF CALORIES, T.O.M. SUGGESTS THAT EACH "ADVOCATE" BE ASSIGNED TO PAY AND CARE FOR (SINCE BEING A CAREGIVER IS FAR MORE DIFICULT THAN OPENING ONES WALLET) ONE OF THESE UNFORTUNATE INDIVIDUALS. IN ADDITION, THOSE WHO FEEL A NON-PRODUCTIVE EXISTENCE IS AN ACCEPTABLE LIFESTYLE AND EARN THEIR INCOME BASED ON THIS BELIEF, SHOULD BE ASSIGNED PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR AT LEAST ONE OF THOSE WHO ARE UNWILLING TO WORK, BUT WISH TO PROCREATE WITHOUT RESTRICTIONS. IT IS SUGGESTED THAT THE "SLINKING SOUND" WILL BE HEARD AROUND THE WORLD. IN FACT, MOST OF THESE INDIVIDUALS SEEM MORE INTENT ON BUILDING THEIR FAME AND FORTUNE IN THE NAME OF THESE UNFORTUNATES AND THEN RETURNING TO THE COMFORT AND SECURITY OF THEIR MANSIONS THAT THESE EFFORTS HAVE PROVIDED. MOTHER TERESAS, THEY ARE NOT!

STILL, THESE PASSIVE MEASURES, THOUGH HELPFUL, WILL NOT RESOLVE THE IMPENDING DISASTER. REMEMBER, THE ABSENCE OF CHOICE IS NOT AN OPTION. MORE TO COME.

ENJOY, TOM