A few comments on this fascinating thread:
First, I think this type of discussion is *exactly* the kind of thing that will help us spread our memetic reach. The topic is relevant to the here and now, not just to our descendents in some hypothetical far future; the topic is especially relevant to women, and Big Bang knows we could benefit from attracting more of them to our movement; it's a discussion between two obviously intelligent and educated people who, although (apparently) sharing opposing views, conduct their debate with mutual respect and dignity.
Second, the potential of being able to delay childrearing is indeed awesomeand revolutionary. I like Amara's comparison of it to the impact of widelyavailable birth control and how that changed society, mostly for the better, imho.
Third, I think there are many people, men and women alike, who would be farmore effective parents if they had children in their 40's and beyond, instead of in their 20's. I can certainly say that this is true for myself. I had one child, a daughter, when I was 25. Although I believe I was a good father and did about as well as I could have with the tools I possessed at the time, I am positive that I would now be able to give much more to a childat this point in my life (I'm 48), having learned and grown so much in thesucceeding decades. That being the case, I wonder if I and others might make even better parents when we are 95 years old, or 150?
Fourth, the statement (I think from Jeff) about the advisability of having children when approaching retirement age does not seem to take into accountthe fact that our retirement ages are going to radically change, if not vanish altogether, as anti-aging treatments come on line in the next few decades. Either that, or the effects of the Singularity and widespread molecular manufacturing will enable all of us to work or not, just as we please.
See you in the future!
Mike Treder, Incipient Posthuman
http://www.incipientposthuman.com/
Received on Wed Oct 16 18:19:38 2002
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