What if you were the last people on earth?

[Whispersecret]

Hey, I loved being pregnant, but in this scenario you don't just get to have the sex. You have to give birth the the babies too, without a hospital or drugs. No thanks!

However, if I were truly in this situation, I'm not sure I could avoid it. Would each man be allotted one month with me? That would be the only way I could see to make sure who was the father of any child conceived.

I would want to make the stipulation that once I was pregnant, I would not have to continue the rotations. Then, perhaps I could choose whichever partner I wanted. Perhaps I would then choose a man to act as father to the child in a more traditional role, because the fertile male may not be who is best suited to raise the baby.

 

[CreamyLady]

I have a question: what if some of the women (and men, for that matter) were past their fertile peaks? Would older men and women (mostly women, since men can be fertile a lot longer) be sacrificed to the possibility of offspring?

As for multiple partners to widen the gene pool, I don't have a problem with that. Actually, not having a steady partner is a relief in many respects.

 

[Guest]

Originally posted by whispersecret:
However, if I were truly in this situation, I'm not sure I could avoid it. Would each man be allotted one month with me? That would be the only way I could see to make sure who was the father of any child conceived.

I would want to make the stipulation that once I was pregnant, I would not have to continue the rotations. Then, perhaps I could choose whichever partner I wanted. Perhaps I would then choose a man to act as father to the child in a more traditional role, because the fertile male may not be who is best suited to raise the baby.

Good points! It does get complicated. In the book the women's participation was voluntary. If I were Captain the women would make the rules, their bodies, their rules. Of course once you were pregnant you would leave the rotation if you wanted. I think you and the child would be very well taken care of, the Eve of the next generation.

 

[Guest]

Originally posted by CreamyLady:
I have a question: what if some of the women (and men, for that matter) were past their fertile peaks? Would older men and women (mostly women, since men can be fertile a lot longer) be sacrificed to the possibility of offspring?

In the book everything was done voluntarily. I can see the possibility of fanatics wanting to control every coupling. Also in the book, because there were a lot more men than women, many of the women had relationships with individual men but participated in the rotation only for procreation. Everyone was so civilized and orderly because they were still considering themselves military. In reality I think there would be chaos. It would be hard to maintain discipline after a long time. The ratio of men to women might have to be evened out. Who is going to choose? Geeze, I want to die in the first blast. lol

 

[CreamyLady]

Originally posted by High Peaks:
Geeze, I want to die in the first blast. lol

It quite makes one think of Tom Lehrer, and We Shall All Go Together!

Seriously, when a population is in danger of extinction, and the primary focus is on childbearing, I can see where the infertile would be considered redundant, and a possible drain on resources.

One wonders if they would be made laborers, which makes me think of The Handmaid's Tale, which is really depressing.

 

[Weird Harold]

Originally posted by CreamyLady:
Seriously, when a population is in danger of extinction, and the primary focus is on childbearing, I can see where the infertile would be considered redundant, and a possible drain on resources.

If I were in charge of a colony of survivors trying to save the human race, the old and infertile would be considered repositories of knowledge. Resources in themselves, and not a drain on resources.

Even if the primary focus is on childbearing to insure the survival of the species, there has to be means and methods established to provide for the children. Food has to be grown and gathered, clothing has to be made, housing has to be provided, education and medical care have to be given to the best of the groups ability.

If there's not a parallel goal of saving a functionaing society, then all of the childbearing is wasted effort.

The elderly would be surrogate grandparents. Tasked with watching the children while the mothers joined the men in the fields or factories. (factories would be small and deal with making clothing, furniture, pottery, and such.)

The infertile (especially in this particular scenario where most are infertile,) would be required to contribute as their skills and knowledge dictate. Craftsman, laborer, teacher, administrator, or whatever the colony needed.

The gradual loss of technolgy would eventually make almost everyone field hands in addition to whatever other skills they might have.

 

[Guest]

Originally posted by Weird Harold:
The elderly would be surrogate grandparents. Tasked with watching the children while the mothers joined the men in the fields or factories.

I think this was probably always pretty much the case to some extent throughout history. As far as I know, it was only really in the 20th century that the extended family (parents, aunts, uncles, grandparents etcetera) gave way to smaller nuclear families in the West. I think in the East extended families are still pretty strong.

We could always try out a matriarchal model for our new society. I just found this bit in a Shere Hite book (I know, sorry):

"In the earliest societies we know about, families were mostly extended groups or clans, with aunts and brothers sharing equally in the upbringing of the child; the mother did not particularly 'own' the child, and there was no concept of 'father' at all. In fact, the male role in reproduction was not understood for quite a long time..."

So, basically everybody would sleep around and it'd be the responsibility of the whole "tribe" to rear the children, not just the biological parents. That way, those best suited to working in the fields, fishing and hunting (whether male or female) would do that work, and those best suited to teaching and nurturing the children would be responsible for that, whether they were fertile or not.

Cool!!! It'll be just like Woodstock, Man.



Hey, don't Bogart that joint, my friend!

 

[Earthgoddess]

I say cook and eat the useless ones-for a project in culinary school I actually estimated the length of cooking time and appropriate sauces for humans...Sorry I had to add that I just actually graduated on Sunday-10 months after finishing my classes-we have only one yearly ceremony ...I just had to throw that out...and High peaks you are in the top ten...MM you are right I am so sorry and come to you humbly offering a shrubbery-a nice one and not too expensive...
Roger watch out for the harpys and the siren songs...also rog, aren't periscopes on subs not boats???
Pardon my ignorance as I have only pulled duty on schooners, and perhaps the old wooden ships just don't come with periscopes for when they go under water...BTW roger I have quite a pirate fantasy-perhaps you and I*slipping into a low cut poets blouse and tying a scarf over her unruly hair* well let's just say I'd love to teach your parrot some new words...

 

[Guest]

Originally posted by Weird Harold:
If I were in charge of a colony of survivors trying to save the human race, the old and infertile would be considered repositories of knowledge. Resources in themselves, and not a drain on resources.

Even if the primary focus is on childbearing to insure the survival of the species, there has to be means and methods established to provide for the children. Food has to be grown and gathered, clothing has to be made, housing has to be provided, education and medical care have to be given to the best of the groups ability.

I can see a real class system being "born" based on reproductive ability, the "breeders" and the "workers". It sounds like a beehive. It would suck if I couldn't get any honey on my stinger though.

Originally posted by roger simian:
As far as I know, it was only really in the 20th century that the extended family (parents, aunts, uncles, grandparents etcetera) gave way to smaller nuclear families in the West. I think in the East extended families are still pretty strong.

I would submit that it was the industrial revolution in the 18th century that broke down the extended family. No longer did families labor together on the farms but instead left home to work in factories, letting public schools educate the young. No more laying around the chantey and getting a good buzz on.


[This message has been edited by High Peaks (edited 06-06-2000).]

 

[Guest]

Originally posted by earthgoddess:
I say cook and eat the useless ones-for a project in culinary school I actually estimated the length of cooking time and appropriate sauces for humans...Sorry I had to add that I just actually graduated on Sunday-10 months after finishing my classes-we have only one yearly ceremony

Congratulations EG! Happy graduation. The captain appoints you the Vice Admiral in charge of Nutrition.

Originally posted by earthgoddess:
High peaks you are in the top ten...

Is that the top ten to get eaten for lunch?


[This message has been edited by High Peaks (edited 06-06-2000).]

 

[Guest]

Originally posted by HighPeaks:
I would submit that it was the industrial
revolution in the 18th century that broke down
the extended family.

That sounds more accurate, Captain Peaks. And, since the machines are probably going to die on us pretty quickly, we could go back to using one of the pre-industrial societal models. What say you, Sir?

Originally posted by earthgoddess:
aren't periscopes on subs not boats???

Quite right. Just my crude attempt at a seafaring metaphor to describe the way my penis rose up when I spotted your "golden fleece". Heh-heh!



[This message has been edited by roger simian (edited 06-06-2000).]

 

[Weird Harold]

Originally posted by High Peaks:
I would submit that it was the industrial revolution in the 18th century that broke down the extended family.

That was the start of the declins of the extended family. The process wasn't really complete in the US until WWII moved large numbers of people to where the war industries were. The post war housing boom was the finishing touch when it was no longer necessary for couples to live with the parents.

It took over 250 years to effectively dissolve the extended family. Maybe it will take an asteroid strike, nuclear war, or worldwide plague to force society back into the agrarian mode that made it work.

Given the stated ratio of 200 men to each woman, it's unlikely that a matriarchy would develop in this particular scenario. (men being the selfish power hungry pigs they are.)

The development of a breeder/worker caste system isn't likely either. That would rquire that the infertility be something genetic. That sort of caste system could only develop if a significant part of the second generation was infertile also. Given the infertile because of radiation dameage scenario, there's no reason to suppose that the children would be infertile.

There is also the question of mutants versus normals that is bound to arise in a scenario involving radiation damage.

IF this were a simple 'lost ship' scenario where the crew of a military vessel is forced to start a colony, the military hierarchy would be expected to drive the form the new society takes.

 

[Guest]

That sounds more accurate, Captain Peaks. And, since the machines are probably going to die on us pretty quickly, we could go back to using one of the pre-industrial societal models. What say you, Sir?

I say its getting pretty deep in here when you start calling me Sir. Time to swab the decks. You are too funny.

[This message has been edited by High Peaks (edited 06-06-2000).]

 

[Earthgoddess]

well not until after we mated- kind of like a praying mantis...remeber that Far Side where the two praying Mantis ladies are chatting and the one says
" Why Maude Heaven's No-I didn't eat your harold you know I'd only devour my own mate"
I apologize for paraphrasing-if Gary Larson reads this I just want to say-I am sorry but I had to use the reference despite my inability to use it accuratly..
thank you for the congratulations...
roger darling I want nothinhg more than to be mythed by you...by you and nobody else but you...

 

[Guest]

Originally posted by earthgoddess:
well not until after we mated- kind of like a praying mantis...

Are you starting a new rpg? What could we call it? "Fed up with sex?", "I'm OK you taste good?", "Make love then dinner, not war?"

 

[Earthgoddess]

Oh my God HighPeaks- I really laughed out loud at that one...this is too good- now I'll worry if anyone wants me covered in chocoalte-I feel like a big profiterole-full of whipped creme fraiche-a cream puff okay-LOl

 

[Guest]

Originally posted by earthgoddess:
now I'll worry if anyone wants me covered in chocoalte-I feel like a big profiterole-full of whipped creme fraiche-a cream puff okay-LOl

Mmmm, sounds delicious. You are making me hungry.

 

[Earthgoddess]

well please don't let me stop you-if you really feel the need to nibble-pick a tender spot and go to town...mmmm.

 

[Guest]

Can I mange too?

Then I want to nibble on the Gingersnap. I'm such a greedy sea dawg.

 

[Guest]

Why thank you very much! I hope you don't mind that I'd like to nibble a few spots before I settle on a final choice?

 

[Earthgoddess]

Please help yourself-and you too Roger,but High Peaks called me first-hehehe-and I won't say no,not to him...besides it goes against my Irish ancestors to turn away a hungry soul...feast upon the delicacies I offer thee,for as thine hostess I am honor bound to turn none away...

 

[Thumper]

Aye....be mindful of the Albatross lest ye suffer the fate of the Ancient Mariner..bound for eternity, he is, to tell of his tale, that we must love all creatures God hath made!
Methinks if mankind is stupid enough to nearly exterminate himself, then perhaps our extinction should not be thwarted....I would say we would not be worthy of continued existence...Sorry to be such a bummer..

I wanna be a Pirate....wanna know where I keep my buccaneers????

On my "buccan"head!