Voluntary Human Extinction Movement

[Revelstone_dweller]

Hello there.
Has anyone of you heard of Voluntary Human Extinction Movement (VHEMT)?
Misanthropic stuff...
Here is the address:
www.vhemt.org

I would like to know your opinions about it. Only if you want to share them with me, of course.

[Edinburghemma]

It sounds really intriguing, but cannot open the page, damn. will persevere and let you know!

[Edinburghemma]

. well, I feel that I have alot to say on this, but alas too little time (or energy for that matter), also, I reckon, I am not erudite enough today to do it. Anyway, in short...

there is a whole lot I agree with here. I don't rightly know where to start. I suppose I am a misanthrope, and I really feel that our breeding must slow down. For sure, hereabouts it is the idiots amongst us that are doing the most breeding. What is it all about/ for? (Now I sound like an obnoxious git, sorry).
We do so much damage to our beautiful planet, and commit so many atrocities against others (all animals) living on it that it is agonizing to think about it. (Atleast today).

[Revelstone_dweller]

I agree with VHEMT statements.
But ending the pollution, plant and animal extinction is a secondary target for me. Primary is neutralizing ALL the evil people do. Not only to animals and plants, but to other people too!!
I'm a half-blood misanthropist and a VHEMT Volunteer.
I don't and won't have any children.

[Worm of Despite]

If misanthropy were a religion I'd be the Pope. Honestly though, I'm never going to have kids myself. People say having kids is the greatest thing on earth, but I think that's all a matter of taste and quite subjective to each person.

Anyway, I agree with a lot of things these types of people have to say, though I doubt the Church of Euthanasia is going to attract a lot of members with its "I like to watch the plane coming in" video. The cannibalism and sodomy bit isn't too peachy either.

[Revelstone_dweller]

I know Church of Euthanasia too, and I agree with you, LF. Their methods won't make them too popular.
That's why I prefer VHEMT.

[Zephalephelah]

When you get the URL to work, let us know, or post the whole deal & just give credit to the URL.


In the meantime, I LOVE YOUR AVATAR!!!!!

[The Leper Fairy]

I think it sounds a little extreme... Maybe less people should have kids or more people should have fewer kids, but the whole species?

[W.B.]

Well, the motivations behind the idea are all good ones, I thought, and it was all expressed in a gentle and respectful tone. Going as far as extinction is a tad extreme (but, really, it's actually just talking about a personal choice to have children or not), but I'd say certainly zero population growth would be a good thing.

A friend told me about this years ago, funny to see it resurface on the Watch.

[Furls Fire]

For sure, hereabouts it is the idiots amongst us that are doing the most breeding. What is it all about/ for?

Well, hmmmm...guess I'm an idiot. But, if an idiot is what I am, then so be it. I love my kids, and would have never decided NOT to have them. To each their own, of course. I haven't been able to get that webpage to load, so I am really not familiar with what it states.

[Worm of Despite]

I believe edinburghemma might have been referring to those men and women who have kids without thinking of the consequences or being good parents.

Nobody here thinks you're an idiot, unless they're one.

[Furls Fire]

ahh, yes. But, most of that is from lack of education, lack of information, lack of available birth control...most of those people really don't know how to prevent pregnancy. (Aside from the obvious way). I would not call them "idiots", but uneducated and ignorant of their choices of prevention.

And yes, I know that there are those out there who DO know how to prevent pregnancy and simply don't bother, which leads to unwanted children who get abused and neglected and end up "in the system". What I would like to know is...how would this movement prevent those people from having children? It won't. Because having children is already "voluntary".

If controlling population growth of the human race is desirable...then more should be done to educate and help those ignorant of their choices, chose not to have children. I am a firm supporter of sexual education in our schools, altho I do believe that such teaching should begin in the home. But some parents just aren't willing or don't care enough to teach their children about how we are made.

Also, in the third world countries, where population growth is alarmingly high and rescources alarmingly low...get those people educated and on birth control. These people are not idiots, they simply are not educated and do not have the means to prevent pregnancy. There are such programs out there that do that very thing, but they lack the funding...

[Worm of Despite]

I wonder, though, just how uneducated the average American is. If they know enough to have sex, and how to do it, then they should know the consequences of it. How else do they figure babies are born--the stork? Even without birth control and education, there are common sense ways to prevent conception. Doesn't it seem that way to them?

People can be idiots, though. Especially when they know the consequences, they have the choices, and they still act anyway. All the people I went to school with--my generation--ran through the sexual education gauntlet. If they choose to have unprotected sex now, that's their choice, and they had other choices--and more importantly, they knew it. But they chose the risk, and with the risk comes consequence. They accept it or they live life thinking everything comes to them on a silver platter. Their choice.

Anyway, the problem with controlling the population is that it will probably someday be needed, but it's simply not desirable to the majority. They choose to ignore it, or not believe in it.

[Tselava Hierachy]

I can't open the page.

[aTOMiC]

It is an interesting web site. I don't think I'm ready for its message though. I have never viewed humans as if the Earth is an otherwise healthy happy organism and the human race is an alien virus that if removed would restore the vitality of the planet back to its natural state.

My personal belief is that we were all naturally created here and we all belong here good or bad. On the other hand overpopulation and the preservation of the environment is not something to be laughed off for our own survival. The idea of good people making good decisions is critical.

In the end, my brain says “Hmmm. Interesting concept if a bit melancholy.” My heart says “Huh? We should leave? How come? I was really enjoying this place. Aw poo.”

[Edinburghemma]

In response to Furls, of course i wasn't talking about you. No offence intended. sorry.It was purely as LF suggested- a comment on the social circumstances surrounding parenthood in many places.The lack of education argument, for the most part is a myth, which is in severe need of debunking, but more importantly, one of the biggest myths of all is that people in third world countries are breeding to the extent which you say they are (outwith Asia-mainly Africa). In fact the opposite is actually true. An in-depth research of global social-geography will clarify this.

[Brinn]

Am I misunderstanding you Emma? Are you saying that third world countries are not breeding at rapid rates? Could you supply a link to validate this statement? Based upon my knowledge there is not a first world country within the top 25 for birth rates and most are countries in Africa. Heres a link with the data... Birth Rate Data

[danlo]

If you look at Brinn's link there's something to be said for Sweden apparently-especially in infant mortality rates. I guess I too am a misanthrope--but we're in the process of trying to adopt-does that mean I'm a helpful misantrope? I'm a closet Malthusian, so I support ZPG.

[Revelstone_dweller]

Thanks everyone for your opinions !!

VHEMT website is already back online.

www.vhemt.org

In the meantime, I LOVE YOUR AVATAR!!!!!

I'm glad that you like it, Zeph !!

[Worm of Despite]

I guess I too am a misanthrope--but we're in the process of trying to adopt-does that mean I'm a helpful misantrope?

Adopting?! Oh my!! danlo, you're a Pollyanna now! *cries*