Michael Shermer's reaction to VHEMT!

Dear Mr. Shermer, Volunteers, Supporters, Brights, Atheists, and other correspondents:

As Fearless Leader of the LA Brights I attended the Atheists Alliance International Convention on the Queen Mary this weekend.

I found the convention wonderful for many reasons!

Michael Shermer, (http://www.michaelshermer.com/), perhaps the most famous skeptic in the world, gave a lovely presentation.  

I had an opportunity to introduce myself to Mr. Shermer, as I'm certain he'll recall.

Atheism is an important truth, no doubt about it.  

However, it also loses some of its importance when compared to the risks facing the future of humankind.

Technology has always been used to overcome nature's limits.  

However, our technology has now totally overwhelmed nature and any of nature's means to cope with the toxic (to us) changes we're introducing.

These two things (atheism and human caused climate chaos) are actually closely related, as those who "believe" 

(the SUPER-MAJORITY OF HUMANITY (Brights, get the pun?!)) may derail the very efforts necessary to save the biosphere from human technology's effects, since "god will provide" so not to worry, eh?!

Therefore, I felt it important to introduce Michael to the concept of Voluntary Human Extinction.

My predisposition was that a Skeptic would also be inquisitive, at least!  Seemed a low bar, but...  

His reaction to VHEMT www.vhemt.org was that I ought to lead the way and commit suicide.

He wasn't kidding, although I'm hopeful that upon reflection his curiosity might override his gut reaction.

I was surprised at the naked hostility...and greatly saddened that someone who I hold up as heroic for his Skepticism and tremendous  ability to confront superstitious nonsense wasn't at least more thoughtful before dismissing the concept altogether.  

And wishing me dead to boot, lucky I'm a Bright and dismiss witchcraft in any form!  ROFLMAO

I learned a lot, and thank him for the experience.

Human Extinction is inevitable, no one can argue that.  

Many VHEMTers hold the extinction will be quite soon.

That is currently debatable, but the ability of the biosphere to continue to sustain human life erodes every day, and our technology only provides more velocity and momentum to it's failure in the near term.

Perhaps Shermer is simply skeptical about Human Caused Climate Chaos. 

Perhaps he's got "faith" in technology's ability to get us out of the hole that technology is digging, ever faster...

Having no children is the only moral choice, by anyone, anywhere, anywhen.  That is the best means to reduce the numbers of humans who will be suffering when the world discontinues it's ability to support human life.

Obviously, not everyone is on board with the "inevitability" part yet, but soon more will be and child-less-ness will become "fashionable".

VHEMTers are sensible enough to know we cannot stop procreation by all, everywhere, forever, that's just the goal.  

If you don't aim high you'll be sure to miss!

Peace.  Live long and die out.

--
Frish

VHEMT Volunteer

Fearless Leader, LA Brights