Ruminations on this topic are fairly pointless because so many of the underpinning drivers are clearly subject to imminent enormous change. Within 1-2 generations technology like life extension, fertility extension, artificial uteruses, superintelligent AI, AI teachers and nannies, trans-humanism and will render meaningless today’s concerns that currently seem dominating and important (if Humans survive that long). Existential risk and impacts of AI are really the only issues that matter. Though I am starting to think that the likely inevitable next generation of MAD—space based nukes hanging like an undetectable sword of Damocles over our heads is scary as hell too—coordinated global 1st strikes with only 2-3 seconds between detectability and detonation of stealth bombs re-entering from far distant orbits at >10km/s.
But even in their absence if there was close to a technology level freeze starting now evolution would move in to fill the gap—within a few generations individuals and cultures whose psychology or rules moved them to have more kids—eg religious fundamentalists, highly impulsive, strong maternal or paternal drives and strongly patriarchal cultures (Looking around world places that treat women like shit seems to have higher fertility) would steadily grow to dominate the gene pool—seeing a greater number of kids being born.
Ruminations on this topic are fairly pointless because so many of the underpinning drivers are clearly subject to imminent enormous change. Within 1-2 generations technology like life extension, fertility extension, artificial uteruses, superintelligent AI, AI teachers and nannies, trans-humanism and will render meaningless today’s concerns that currently seem dominating and important (if Humans survive that long). Existential risk and impacts of AI are really the only issues that matter. Though I am starting to think that the likely inevitable next generation of MAD—space based nukes hanging like an undetectable sword of Damocles over our heads is scary as hell too—coordinated global 1st strikes with only 2-3 seconds between detectability and detonation of stealth bombs re-entering from far distant orbits at >10km/s.
But even in their absence if there was close to a technology level freeze starting now evolution would move in to fill the gap—within a few generations individuals and cultures whose psychology or rules moved them to have more kids—eg religious fundamentalists, highly impulsive, strong maternal or paternal drives and strongly patriarchal cultures (Looking around world places that treat women like shit seems to have higher fertility) would steadily grow to dominate the gene pool—seeing a greater number of kids being born.