No Kidding

A new movement among some young men, is to deliberately, surgically become sterile. The group states that they have chosen it as a responsible solution in reducing their "footprint" on earth. Their aim, cutely, is described as "human extinction". They recommend that all males should follow their example. While the matter of having children or not, lies within the individual, this idea seems one of the most peculiar ones I've heard in a long time. Taking this warped tenet to the extreme, should all humans take on their plan, it bespeaks the futility of living. One assumes it means to not bother doing anything at all, but to run off and loll on a sunny beach somewhere until death. Who is going to support the beach kid, while that is taking place becomes a mystery. The way things  have been structured socially from the beginning, is called family. Families are seen in all life in some form. Those living, reproduce and care for their young until they are adult, then the elders are watched over by the new members who have been mentored. The young take on the job of continuing the life style and hopefully, improving it.  Families look out for each other and blend with other families to form a symbiotic system that benefits everyone. Families develop strategies and mores and celebrations that make lives, not only successfully livable, but also, enjoyable. All animal life works similarly. To aim for zero population is dangerous to Mankind. We humans need each other in countless ways. To discontinue life on earth which will happen on the zero population plan,  is unnatural. Man would become extinct. The idea of zero population must be obviously that of youth who have maximum enthusiasm but  minimum experience on which to base their concepts. There are many other ways of reducing our so-called "footprint", a metaphor I find misleading. Reducing our stress on the planet, is something that no one should ignore and everyone should work at, but the improving of Man's environment and not his destruction, is a much more realistic plan. Some countries have employed ways of conservation and protection of species and developed renewable and sustainable resources, that have proved beyond a doubt, to work. Some distracted humans are against what it takes to make the world better and to try and fix what has been harmed. Most of these myopic individuals are laden with greed or pride. They see only money as the key to success in life. Sadly, it does take money, but more, it  takes belief in Mankind and its continuation with a plan that is safe and sensible and has a strong commitment to the survival of all species. To do the work of saving the planet, means to have children who will grow up and learn how to carry on what needs to be done to save all life on earth.  It will take time and lots of it and children will be carrying on what was begun. No, it's not sitting on a beach in a bikini, child free and with a pretty drink in hand, ha ha-ing while waiting to die off childless and carefree,  that will help. It takes people who are committed and educated and who love humanity and are willing to make sacrifices because they are members of a family and value the continuance of the gift of life.