There are many questions that come up in one’s life and whether or not theirs should be the last generation is one of them. This is a question that not only the writer Peter Singer ponders, but the vast majority of the population. This generation has brought many beneficial advances both in the electronic and advanced technologies field. However, such advances are not enough. For the unemployment rate has risen significantly, causing the cost of raising children to become unattainable for some, stunting the population of the next generation. Some may choose to have children still, while others on the other hand, believe that the prudent action to take is to allow mankind to die out with the end of the present generation.
Some believe that the lives of the next generation would be extremely desolate and thus, not worth living. According to C.A. from Edmonton, Canada, “The times of bounty have peaked in first world countries and life is going to get harder for everyone in coming generations. Unfortunately few are paying attention -- it's easier not to think about it and to just believe that we will continue to live in the land of plenty for many years to come”. When put into C.A.‘s perspective, life does not seem worth living. I understand that life is hard right now with all the bills you have to pay, and how you have to take care of your family. These things are a daily struggle for most people. The job market does not influence optimism these days either. However, life truly is what you make it and if you work to make every day the best that you can, it is worth the struggles. Some people believe that the human race will live forever but that is far from the truth. One omniscient day, something will happen that will cause us to cease existence. It is our decision whether we are going to go out with glory or with the attitude of quitters.
I believe we should continue down the path that God takes us because although life is full of hardships, we are all able to conquer them. Giving up is just going to make the situation worse. We should always try to make the best out any given situation we find ourselves in. In Peter Singer’s article it states that, “If there were to be no future generations, there would be nothing for us to feel to guilty about. Is there anything wrong with this scenario?” Singer’s notion of life is wrong. Life requires one to take risks and if one is not taking those risks, one simply is not living. It is our responsibility to try and lengthen the existence of the human race for as long as possible. Singer also says “If we would all agree to have ourselves sterilized then no sacrifices would be required — we could party our way into extinction!” Again Singer’s thoughts are flawed. He forgets a major aspect, human beings are scared of change. The notion of death is one that we all must face at one point or another yet, even with this knowledge, dying does not seem any less scary. Life is worth living no matter how hard it may seem. If you stay motivated, life is sure to reward you.
Populating for the next generation is the right thing to do because whether life is good or bad, mankind is destined to experience it. Living is much better than forfeiting one’s chance to live. Trying is better than not trying. This generation has done much for our planet; imagine what the next generation could do. It will not only make this world a better place but it will also strive to be better than our current generation. Thus, generations should go on as long as they can or as long as God wants them to be.
First line is wordy. How can you say it in half the space?
ReplyDeleteReally? I wouldn't say the vast majority of people have ever considered this question. Do you think about it?
Who thinks it prudent for people to die off? Not even Singer thinks this.
The commenter says things will get hard, not that life is not worth living. You're adding the "life is not worth living" part.
"Some people believe that the human race will live forever but that is far from the truth. One omniscient day, something will happen that will cause us to cease existence. It is our decision whether we are going to go out with glory or with the attitude of quitters." I actually think this fatalistic attitude is interesting, because I believe keeping in mind the potential of an apocalypse is necessary. However, this doesn't mean we need to choose between going out with glory or as quitters -- this sounds more like the rhetoric of a high school basketball coach.
" I believe we should continue down the path that God takes us because although life is full of hardships, we are all able to conquer them. Giving up is just going to make the situation worse. We should always try to make the best out any given situation we find ourselves in." This is a long string of cliches. Cut stuff like this. Come up with new ways to phrase it. Remember that any cliche means you're letting someone else think for you rather than thinking for yourself.
I'd be interested to see a whole paragraph on "destiny," which you mention in the last paragraph. What does it mean to be destined? Who destined us? How do we know?