Birth Control, Population Collapse & Genetic Superhumans
Introduction
I have spent a lot of time reflecting on how I spent my twenties, and as much as I tried to escape without regret, I can look back and realize that there is much that I wish I had done differently. So as I contemplated my final week in my twenties, I spent a lot of time meditating and wondering what I would have done differently and how can I be more intentional with my thirties.
I realized the thing that I regret most is how I spend my time. In my twenties, I spent a lot of time in video games and other frivolous activities rather than investing in my future and investing in the relationships around me.
My plan is pretty simple. I want to learn and grow as long as I live; I want to take each day as an opportunity to become more than I was the day before. I hope to share with you, my reader, my journey from thirty onward. Sharing with you what I'm learning and where I am learning it. This is my public journal on this journey, and I hope you will join me in learning to live more intentionally, more informed, and more educated each day and choosing to Pursue Purpose along the way.
What did I learn this week?
1. The Terrifying Power of Gene Editing
This week I was introduced to the subject of Gene editing and the power that exists in this newish technology called CRISPR. This technology has the ability to cut and then allow for the editing of genetic code. The power of this technology could allow us to remove hereditary family diseases such as cancer, muscular fibrosis, and so many other diseases. If only we could stop there! It is an incredible medical tool, but the truth is we won't stop with just helping and healing what is broken. This technology also has the potential to allow us to rewrite genetic code to allow someone to be more athletic, more intelligent, and taller, for us to remove a proclivity toward certain disliked personality traits. The list of possibilities currently seems to be somewhat limitless.
This technology is being developed, and we have and are using technologies such as IVF to allow prospective parents to select an embryo with the genetic makeup for higher levels of intelligence. Again all I can say is that the power of this technology is absolutely terrifying, and yet there is an inner part of me that is excited about the possibilities, which scares me even more. What happens when mankind is given unfettered access to make themselves in the image they desire to be?
2. The Coming Population Collapse
Today there is a popular message of fear that there are too many people on our planet and that we will soon all die due to diseases and mass starvation, a message that said we would all starve by the year 2000. That didn’t happen, and now we see a growing concern in the opposite direction that we are, in fact, headed for a population collapse. Our data suggest that our global population will collapse if we cannot return to the "replacement level" regarding birthrates. I must admit that the evidence presented is pretty convincing. The factors that play into this are multifaceted and incredibly fascinating.
Here are some of the most interesting statistics I learned about when listening to these two podcasts.
70% of Countries are below replacement level at this time
In the UK, there are now more women aged 30 without children than with children. This is unprecedented in recorded history.
If a woman does not have a child by 30, there is a 50% chance she will never have one.
90% of women aged 30 did not plan not to have children.
5% of women aged 30 did not want children.
5% of women aged 30 could not due to fertility issues.
This data is incredibly fascinating and has been the subject of much pondering for me. The main question is what has changed socially to drastically change the global birthrate. Many factors are being considered as to the causes of this issue, but there does not seem to be any one root issue but rather the perfect storm of technological and social revolutions. For anyone interested in learning more, I would encourage you to check out Birthgap.org, where you can check out part one of Steven J Shaw's documentary Birthgap.
3. The Unpopular Side effects of Hormonal Birth Control
The most interesting thing I learned about this week that simply blew my mind was the subject of hormonal birth control and the effect that it can have on not only the female body but also her psyche. Some of the things that I found the most fascinating is this.
If hormonal birth control is used from a young age, it can seemingly cause a permanent susceptibility to higher levels of depression.
Studies show that hormonal birth control can alter who you are attracted to or the type of person you are attracted to.
Hormonal birth control changes the pheromones a woman creates when she is naturally cycling. Changing who and how she will attract members of the opposite sex.
Dr. Sarah E Hill's conversations on these two podcasts blew my mind. This is a world I am entirely unfamiliar with, and to think through all the possible social ramifications of living in a world where many women are tricking their bodies into not cycling naturally and how this can affect those women not only physically but also neurologically. I can not recommend these last two podcast episodes enough, as this is an existing concern and something I believe we should all better understand. Please check out Dr. Hills’ website here to learn more about her work.
What am I doing?
I recently finished my certification as a Google Data Analyst, and upon finishing it, I found two subjects within that field I wanted to dive into deeper. So I am currently studying Tableau, an incredible software that allows you to create amazing interactive charts for data visualization. After I finish my specialization in Tableau, I will be working on a SQL specialization, a tool used to search or (query) datasets of millions, sometimes billions of data points!
I am working on being more consistent in areas of my life that matter and eliminating things that do not. Lowering screen time, not stare mindlessly at my phone, especially right before bed.
Learning the value of networking and creating time to foster healthy relationships with those around me, being present during conversations, and removing distractions such as muting my phone or even removing my smartwatch during a conversation!
Thank you all for joining me as I begin this public journey of pursuing a life of growth and constant learning, of living each day with intention and purpose!
Please consider sharing, subscribing, and following along with me on this new venture!
