Stephen J. Shaw is a data scientist and filmmaker.

Birth rates in Western countries are collapsing, a trend even Elon Musk calls an existential threat. But what’s the true cause? Is it economics, fear of the future, cultural shifts, or something deeper? And more importantly, can anything actually reverse the decline?

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Timestamps:

(0:00) Global Birth Rate Decline is Keeps Stephen Up at Night

(6:47) Why We Should Care About Birth Rates

Why are Falling Birth Rates So Concerning?

(18:29) What Will the Population Look Like in 50 Years?

What Stephen Thinks the Population Will Looks Like in 50 Years

(30:07) Why It’s Now Harder to Become a Parent

(35:25) Why Women Over 30 are Less Likely to Become a Mother

(44:55) What Factors are Causing Drops in Birth Rate?

(59:50) Stephen Thoughts on Involuntary Childlessness

(01:15:14) The Clash Between Those Who Want Children and Those Who Don’t

(01:22:58) Are Antinatalists Evil?

(01:30:02) What are the Macro Impacts on Birth Rate Decline?

(01:46:59) Does Stephen Think Discussing Birth Rates is Right Wing Coded?

(01:59:47) Stephen’s View on the Societal Half-Life

(02:04:15) Would IVF or Adoption Stop Declining Birth Rates?

(02:18:31) What Interventions Don’t Work?

(02:24:44) Young People Want to Put Themselves First

(02:41:56) How We Can Learn Start Boosting Birth Rates

(02:49:27) Find Out More About Stephen

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