[bigbadfeline]

> What if reducing birth rates at this point in time is rational?

Well, lower birth rates are the perpetual excuse for more immigration. Even Trump made a U-turn on H1B and he's now OK with more immigration. Low birth rates and high immigration give credence to the various "replacement" theories and become a political force that can bring nationalists to power.

Next, lower birth rates could be "rational" if they led to higher standard of living and better quality of life, but that's not the case now, in fact we are seeing the opposite because less children make the work force cheaper thus increasing profits. Increased profits go towards increased power and influence which make the trend irreversible.

> During the transition it may be harder for us to support vastly huge populations.

Nonsensical in the current environment of birth rates below replacement level and falling.

> In the 1970s people predicted

Not people - the mass media. They are just noise and BS which should not be considered in a serious conversation - one way or the other.