"The Far Right's Campaign to Explode the Population"

Last night, Gaby del Valle published her exposé from the dark right-wing underbelly of NatalCon 2023.

I read it carefully, and here’s what I think:

I think she met a lot of bright, decent people, and had a really nice time.

She of course loads the text with barbs, as presumably one must to get past the editors at Politico — but the sneering tone is a pretty thin veneer over an obviously sympathetic take.

Yes, the global economic system will collapse if demographic decline isn’t addressed; and yes, mainstream scientists actually agree with Twitter anon “@babygravy9” that endocrine disruptors are ubiquitous and seriously bad for human reproductive health; and yes, the life of a modern single man or woman is largely sterile and alienated and miserable — but the people saying these obviously true things have also said scary right-wing things.

Doesn’t this Far Right Obsession with keeping the wheels on human civilization Give You the Ick?

Some of this is just a consequence of the narrative terrain: it’s really hard to plant your feet on the ground that babies are bad — that life is bad — without asking yourself some pretty searching questions.

Besides which: in person, Gaby was so warm, and so obviously understood the perspectives being shared, that I simply don’t believe she wrote this with hostile intent. She has a job to do, of course, but it seems obvious that she knows who the good guys are, and is moving things forward in the best way she can from her position.

A puff piece would have been forgotten, if Politico’s editorial staff even agreed to run it in the first place — and that wouldn’t have been good for anybody. I suspect it was pretty difficult to write, and I’m glad she did. Everyone should be nice to her online, and she is welcome at NatalCon 2024.

Having said all that, we should deal with what she actually wrote.

Since it’s hard to attack the idea of having babies, this is an article about Far Right Extremists and their Hidden Agenda.

She had to accuse us of secretly, surreptitiously wanting the babies to be healthy, or liking our babies best, or not putting enough effort into selling childless careerist progressives on having babies.

Perspectives varied at the conference, but as for me, a dangerous far-right extremist, I would like to publicly confess:

• I am in favor of healthy, happy babies who grow up big and strong and have healthy babies of their own.

• I care about your kids, but I definitely care about my kids more.

• There are so many childless people who desperately want kids that I admit I am not dedicating much mental effort to converting skeptics.

I do believe that it’s impractical (and immoral, on several dimensions) to import young immigrants from poor countries as tax cattle to fund the retirements of wealthy, childless, elderly profligates.

I do believe that the dominant ideology of Western societies is unsustainable and self-terminating. I don’t celebrate the loss of the people who are caught up in that destructive ideology, but I do celebrate the fact that my grandchildren won’t have to grow up surrounded by the loneliness and nihilism and neurosis and mutilation that defines our time.

The most interesting accusation — that we are crowing over the inevitable demise of progressive ideology, or “giving up on making converts” — is simply an attempt to make it our fault that liberals refuse to raw for the cause.

Apparently we’re supposed to try to make them make liberal babies.

Their feelings about this are obviously complex.

I am an optimist. I have hope that many progressives will eventually articulate these feelings to themselves honestly, pursue them in the open, and find lasting fulfillment. But I have no interest in forcing it.

Anyway, Gaby and I got what we wanted:

Elon Musk read her article, and then posted my NatalCon 2023 opening speech, in full, with the caption: “If birth rates continue to plummet, human civilization will end.”

So it’s been a crazy 48 hours. I can’t say much yet, but NatalCon 2024 just got a lot bigger and more exciting.

If you’re interested in coming, mark your calendars for December 6th and 7th in Austin, Texas — and please sign up for email updates at natalism.org.

Subscribers will have access to exclusive pricing, as well as less-expensive side events for families and young people on the conference weekend.

We have also posted the full video replay of last year’s day-one symposium on the website and our Youtube channel, for free.

EXIT News

• Just had our largest-ever meetup this weekend in Austin. After meeting these guys and learning what they’re doing to flip local jurisdictions, clean up downtown squalor, launch startups, and connect aligned people, I’m convinced that Austin will be the first battleground in the Reconquista of America’s cities.

• Side Hustle Summer 2024 starts in just over one month — the EXIT guys will compete to see who can bring in the most money independent of their employer over a period of three months. Earning a dollar on the side is a powerful act of deprogramming — it dramatically changes how you think about how you spend your time, on and off the clock. Start thinking about how you want to do it, and get in touch with DB in the chat with any questions.

• Last week’s inaugural marketing call was a hit, and we have a healthy backlog of guys seeking marketing help. The call is formatted like a miniature hot seat — we take two or three guys and do a deep dive on their marketing challenges. Current plan is to run these calls every other week. If you want to sign up for your business, get in touch with Ian in the chat.

• Cocktail hour RSVP links for Boston (5/24), New York City (6/21), and Columbus (7/19) below the fold for paid subscribers. These are a great opportunity to meet your local guys, and see if the full group is a good fit for you. Invites to the members-only portion of the meetup will be sent via email.