Life used to be even worse than this, though.

I know it's going to be deeply unpopular -- it always is -- but I never understood how reasonable people don't find bringing children into this world to be an act of abject cruelty.

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chasd00 6 days ago | parent | next [-]

My kids are happy, thriving and optimistic about the future. For me, they bring more joy than I thought existed. Having kids is the best thing that happened to me ever and pretty they’re glad I did too. What world are you talking about?

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OgsyedIE 6 days ago | parent | prev | next [-]

You might like Ajit Varki's 2013 book which is entirely devoted to using evolutionary biology in answering that question.

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xyzzy123 6 days ago | parent | prev | next [-]

Because otherwise all the reasonable people get replaced with unreasonable people.

Some say this has already happened...

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r_lee 6 days ago | parent | prev [-]

I mean, if it's so cruel, then why wouldn't you just commit suicide?

The reason why it's not cruel (IMO) is that there's hope for a better future, if you don't have kids, you will never be able to know. That's choosing to just not play the game, total darkness. There isn't an alternative universe to choose from.

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creata 6 days ago | parent | next [-]

> then why wouldn't you just commit suicide?

I'm trying not to upset the people around me.

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mschild 6 days ago | parent [-]

Please, and I say this with love, seek psychological help. If that's the only thing from stopping you, you need to talk to someone.

	▲	r_lee 6 days ago \| parent \| next [-]
		Agreed, but I would say talking to someone isn't a magical fix here. OP, I would be interested in knowing if that's the case, why are you posting here on HN, getting up in the morning, doing the things you do etc? Are you depressed (if so) in a physiological or psychological kind of way (because of something external?) I will say I am not doing too well, but still, if I look at things objectively right now, I'd still rather wait and see what happens in this world rather than choosing nothingness. My rock bottom is someone's heaven
	▲	vkou 6 days ago \| parent \| prev [-]
		This is good advice, but needs to be bookended with through research about your rights, and the consequences of discussing this with a medical professional, and all the various ways in which you can be fucked over. Because there are some incredibly serious consequences to it.

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dennis_jeeves2 5 days ago | parent | prev | next [-]

>The reason why it's not cruel (IMO) is that there's hope for a better future,

This part is correct.

>if you don't have kids, you will never be able to know.

This part is incorrect from _my_ point of view. Most people believe that they somehow live on through one's kids. I don't.

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cindyllm 6 days ago | parent | prev [-]

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