Part 2/8:
Historically, fertility fears have swayed between extremes. Just a few decades ago, there was widespread panic about overpopulation, echoed in Malthusian theories warning of resource depletion due to excessive human growth. Fast-forward to today, and the discourse has flipped to concern over declining fertility rates. This shift highlights a recurring theme of societal "doomerism," where prevailing anxieties adapt over time — from fears of excess to fears of insufficiency.
This commentator underscores the irrational nature of such fears, pointing out that societal issues often manifest as exaggerated claims regarding resource availability, environmental crises, and technological advancements or failures, illustrating a tendency to pick alarmist narratives regardless of the context.