What would happen if there were no more children?

[Erebus]

For this scenario, imagine that a virus rapidly spreads across the entire human race and renders everybody entirely unable to have children. This virus is so adaptable that it even manages to affect all frozen sperm/eggs kept in storage. There are no additional symptoms beyond infertility and the virus is utterly incurable.

In short, there are never going to be any more children and the human race faces certain extinction.

What impact do you think that would have on society?
Would you change how you live your life?
To what extent does the process of day-to-day living rely on knowing that the species has a future?

 

[Rival]

I'd be out of a job.

 

[leov]

For this scenario, imagine that a virus rapidly spreads across the entire human race and renders everybody entirely unable to have children. This virus is so adaptable that it even manages to affect all frozen sperm/eggs kept in storage. There are no additional symptoms beyond infertility and the virus is utterly incurable.

In short, there are never going to be any more children and the human race faces certain extinction.

What impact do you think that would have on society?
Would you change how you live your life?
To what extent does the process of day-to-day living rely on knowing that the species has a future?

It is coming soon and they are prepping World’s first totally robotic heart will end need for transplants in 10 years

 

[Rival]

LONG LIVE MONDAS!

 

[Twilight Hue]

For this scenario, imagine that a virus rapidly spreads across the entire human race and renders everybody entirely unable to have children. This virus is so adaptable that it even manages to affect all frozen sperm/eggs kept in storage. There are no additional symptoms beyond infertility and the virus is utterly incurable.

In short, there are never going to be any more children and the human race faces certain extinction.

What impact do you think that would have on society?
Would you change how you live your life?
To what extent does the process of day-to-day living rely on knowing that the species has a future?

The socialists would have to think up a new line.

But it's for the children.

 

[Erebus]

It is coming soon and they are prepping World’s first totally robotic heart will end need for transplants in 10 years

The development of artificial organs raises an interesting point. Would there be a huge push towards transhumanist ideals? A major effort to achieve artificial immortality before time runs out?

Regardless of whether it would be possible to achieve, I could see the attempt as a distinct possibility.

 

[leov]

The development of artificial organs raises an interesting point. Would there be a huge push towards transhumanist ideals? A major effort to achieve artificial immortality before time runs out?

Regardless of whether it would be possible to achieve, I could see the attempt as a definite possibility.

There will be need to prolong lives of valuable members of society.

 

[Erebus]

There will be need to prolong lives of valuable members of society.

Now there's a scary thought.

Sounds about right to me but I shudder to think how people might determine who qualifies as valuable.

 

[leov]

Now there's a scary thought.

Sounds about right to me but I shudder to think how people might determine who qualifies as valuable.

Mostly, if you have skills, e.g. you can study and be a social worker or chemical engineer...

 

[leov]

There will be need to prolong lives of valuable members of society.

The infertility crisis is beyond doubt. Now scientists must find the cause

 

[Harel13]

For this scenario, imagine that a virus rapidly spreads across the entire human race and renders everybody entirely unable to have children. This virus is so adaptable that it even manages to affect all frozen sperm/eggs kept in storage. There are no additional symptoms beyond infertility and the virus is utterly incurable.

In short, there are never going to be any more children and the human race faces certain extinction.

What impact do you think that would have on society?
Would you change how you live your life?
To what extent does the process of day-to-day living rely on knowing that the species has a future?

Global warming alarmists would be out of a job.

 

[Polymath257]

Well, I'd be out of a job in 18 years or so. But I'd be retiring about that time anyway.

I'm certain any number of people will be upset. Pediatricians will be out of work earlier than I will. Those designing kids toys will have some issues to deal with.

In the long run, as the population declines, there will be fewer and fewer people to do farming, or to take care of infrastructure, or other such things. Of course,t here would also be fewer users. But it would suggest people will go back to farming at some point just so people can eat.

If other animal species are affected, that would destroy the food supply and have much more immediate effects.

 

[Nakosis]

For this scenario, imagine that a virus rapidly spreads across the entire human race and renders everybody entirely unable to have children. This virus is so adaptable that it even manages to affect all frozen sperm/eggs kept in storage. There are no additional symptoms beyond infertility and the virus is utterly incurable.

In short, there are never going to be any more children and the human race faces certain extinction.

What impact do you think that would have on society?
Would you change how you live your life?
To what extent does the process of day-to-day living rely on knowing that the species has a future?

Cloning.

 

[Darkforbid]

Mother carer's share price would go into free fall

 

[Valjean]

Chaos and panic amongst many, followed eventually by the resurrection of a healthy planet once the infection was cleared.

 

[Quintessence]

That this would be more devastating than it should be is in no small part of why humans have an overpopulation problem.

 

[leov]

For this scenario, imagine that a virus rapidly spreads across the entire human race and renders everybody entirely unable to have children. This virus is so adaptable that it even manages to affect all frozen sperm/eggs kept in storage. There are no additional symptoms beyond infertility and the virus is utterly incurable.

In short, there are never going to be any more children and the human race faces certain extinction.

What impact do you think that would have on society?
Would you change how you live your life?
To what extent does the process of day-to-day living rely on knowing that the species has a future?

Japan - median age of the population 1950-2050 | Statista

 

[ChristineM]

What impact do you think that would have on society?
Would you change how you live your life?
To what extent does the process of day-to-day living rely on knowing that the species has a future?

Children's parties would become a thing of the past, the population "explosion" would end, over a period of around 100 years the human race would die out and the the world would slowly begin to cure itself of the ravages of humanity.

I am past child baring age so it is unlikely to impact much on my life. But it would impact my children's lives. I would think knowing you are among the last generation would be bit of a blow.

I don't think knowledge of the future beyond making it as good as you can for yourself and family is that relevant

 

[beenherebeforeagain]

Now there's a scary thought.

Sounds about right to me but I shudder to think how people might determine who qualifies as valuable.

Well, those who are wealthy obviously qualify, because they'll be able to afford it.

After that, they'll need people with a variety of skills to keep everything running...at least until the army of subservient robots can be produced. The first of those, of course, will be cyborgs just like the wealthy, only with designed obsolescence...

 

[McBell]

For this scenario, imagine that a virus rapidly spreads across the entire human race and renders everybody entirely unable to have children. This virus is so adaptable that it even manages to affect all frozen sperm/eggs kept in storage. There are no additional symptoms beyond infertility and the virus is utterly incurable.

In short, there are never going to be any more children and the human race faces certain extinction.

What impact do you think that would have on society?
Would you change how you live your life?
To what extent does the process of day-to-day living rely on knowing that the species has a future?

Cloning would get a lot of funding