[kragen]

I don't think the issue here is that Stallman lacks empathy, although he does, but that he's attacking a cherished societal value: that reproducing is a good thing to do. You would get the same negative reaction to someone declaring that Christianity is just another false religion to a bunch of Christians, or that atheism is a dangerous and foolish belief system to a bunch of atheists.

However, given that this value is currently the gravest threat to human survival and human welfare, I wish more people would attack it.

Empathy and practicality, however, dictate that the time to attack natalism is when people are considering conceiving a child, not when they're struggling with postpartum sleep deprivation.

[tptacek]

It doesn't even make logical sense, what he's saying. If you've had a kid, it is in everyone's categorical best interests for you to do the best possible job raising it. The guy didn't say he was putting Emacs on hold so he could conceive a child.

[kragen]

I don't think Stallman was trying to persuade someone to do something with that email; I think he was speaking his mind about the circumstances that already obtained. I agree that it doesn't propose any coherent plan of action to improve the situation.

[dlikhten]

HA!!!!!!! Well said, very well said.

My only problem with it all is that to me, there's just nothing better than seeing your child happy and knowing that you made that happen, you made some human being's life really good.