It's a copout. We're not optimistic, you're pessimistic and cynical. Let others choose the lives they want to live, with whom they want to live them because we only have this one life.

It may not mean much in the long-tail of human experience, but the moment you look into the eyes and hold your own child is one of the most amazing experiences I've ever had. I wouldn't trade it for anything.

Anyway, congratulations to the OP! But really — I thought this was going to be about "having a baby." Post again in the fall, sir, and then tell us about "having a baby." ;)

All the best.

Obligatory pictures

http://gavinpc.com/static/pumpkins.jpg http://gavinpc.com/static/pajamas.jpg

Have got a six month old. Loving the whole process.

I think this is probably true. A related book is The End of Work by Jeremy Rifkin, which I highly recommend.

Many people have kids because that's what's expected of them, and because that's what all their friends and family are doing. They also usually hope to be less lonely with kids, have their kids support or take care of them when they're older, be able to mold their kids to be like them or further their goals, and have a sort of existence after their deaths through their kids, or even fix up their marriage by having kids -- all selfish reasons to have kids.

But the kids never asked to be born. As parents, you are essentially forcing life upon another being.

According to Silenus, "the best thing for a man is not to be born, and if already born, to die as soon as possible."[1]

This is not to mention the plague of overpopulation and all the resulting problems that unrestrained breeding has led to.

[1] - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silenus

This is illogical. They can't ask to be born because they are not born yet. In your argument, the arrow of time is pointing in the wrong direction.

And the parents are not forcing life upon a being like some sort of genitals-based Dr Frankenstein rigmarole - they are creating the being.

That's the point. They don't have a choice in the matter. The choice is entirely the parents' (assuming it's not an accident or rape).

This kind of philosophy is baffling to me. How could anyone find it attractive, except for the perverse pleasure you get from trolling other people? And what kind of value is that to base a life on?

Significantly fewer people having kids would sure take a load off this resource-scarce, overcrowded planet. It would help fight poverty, hunger, and war.

If you absolutely must have kids, here's to hoping that you'll at least do it for unselfish reasons -- such as that you sincerely hope (and intend to do everything you can to ensure) that your child will improve the world in some way, rather than having a child for the selfish or conformist reasons I described in my earlier post.