I don’t suppose our ancestors would think much to the lifestyle we have even*now*, but it doesn’t mean that we, at this point in time, cannot have a worthwhile quality of life iykwim.

I’m sure there are worse horrors ahead, but that doesn’t count out a purposeful and worthwhile existence for our progeny. I see avoiding having children as somewhat like a decision to terminate a pregnancy where a possible disability has shown up and someone has decided that particular life is not worth living – but it depends on one’s view of the purpose of life.

Personally, my mind keeps going back to the standard Malthusian population curve which peaks and crashes…. (i.e. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malthusian_catastrophe ), and just like the ‘Peak Oil’ ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hubbert_peak_theory ), I wonder what a world will be like in e.g. 20,30 or 50 years time. Hopefully I’ll still be around to annoy/offend people, but what about potential children, or grandchildren – will it be a world worth living in?

(Perhaps I’m just too pessimistic, and have seen too many horror films)

David.