November 23, 2024 • 1hr 23min
#868 - Mads Larsen - The Hidden Truth About Our Collapsing Birth Rates
Modern Wisdom
Key Takeaways
- Birth Rate Crisis: With a fertility rate of 1.4 in Norway, population size decreases by 1/3 each generation, leading to potential societal collapse within 3 generations
- Modern Dating Dynamics: The current dating environment, shaped by female empowerment and dating apps, has created a mismatch between evolutionary mating psychology and modern social structures
- Three Bottlenecks to reproduction in modern society:
- Finding a suitable partner
- Deciding to have children
- Being physically able to conceive
- Cultural Resistance: Discussion of declining birth rates faces significant pushback due to fears about women's rights and political implications
- Need for Solutions: Society must experiment with new approaches while preserving women's freedoms to address the demographic crisis
Introduction
Mads Larsen is an author and journalist whose research focuses on the history of human mating ideologies. In this episode, he discusses his recent controversy in Norway after highlighting the country's declining birth rates and the broader implications for society. The conversation explores the complex intersections between evolutionary psychology, modern dating, and demographic collapse.
Topics Discussed
The Norwegian Controversy (4:54)
Mads describes how he faced significant backlash after publishing an article about "involuntary single women" and its connection to declining fertility rates. The controversy stemmed from people perceiving the discussion as misogynistic.
- Current situation: Norwegian women want 2.4 children on average but are having only 1.4
- Key issue: Dysfunctional dating market contributing to fertility crisis
- Public response: Resistance to connecting dating market dynamics with declining birth rates
Evolutionary Psychology of Modern Dating (6:51)
Larsen explains how modern society represents the first time in human history with truly individual partner choice, creating unique challenges.
- Dual attraction systems:
- Promiscuous attraction system (favoring most successful males)
- Pair bonding attraction system (favoring similar partner value)
- Market dynamics: Women have high power in short-term mating market but face challenges in long-term pairing
- "We are the first societies in human history that have individual partner choice. No other society has done that before." - Mads Larsen
The Demographic Crisis (10:49)
Discussion of the severe implications of current fertility rates for society's future.
- Mathematical reality: At 1.4 fertility rate, population loses 70% within three generations
- Expert predictions: Rates likely to continue declining without intervention
- Self-reinforcing process: Each generation wants fewer children than the last
Cultural and Economic Factors (1:02:00)
Analysis of how modern ideologies and economic structures affect fertility decisions.
- Confluent love ideology: Relationships based on mutual benefit rather than permanent bonds
- Economic support: Norway provides extensive benefits for parents but still sees declining birth rates
- Cultural shift: Movement away from traditional family formation patterns
Research Challenges and Academic Response (1:14:50)
Larsen shares his experience with institutional resistance to fertility research.
- University response: Lost access to research facilities due to controversial topic
- Environmental perspective: Resistance from environmentalists who view population decline as positive
- Research gaps: Limited understanding of precise factors driving fertility decisions
Potential Solutions and Future Outlook (1:21:44)
Discussion of possible approaches to addressing the fertility crisis.
- Experimental approach: Need for new dating arenas and cultural innovations
- Research focus: Better understanding of reproductive psychology needed
- Policy balance: Maintaining women's freedoms while addressing demographic challenges
- "We need to start experimenting and trying new things to see if we can have societies that exist in the future where women also are free." - Mads Larsen
Conclusion
The conversation highlights the complex challenge of addressing declining birth rates while preserving social progress. Mads Larsen emphasizes the need for society to acknowledge the severity of the demographic crisis and begin experimenting with solutions that don't compromise women's freedoms. The discussion reveals how evolutionary psychology, modern dating dynamics, and cultural changes have created a unique historical situation requiring novel approaches to ensure society's continuation.
Key action items include:
- Acknowledging demographic decline as an existential threat
- Developing new research initiatives to understand reproductive psychology
- Creating experimental approaches to improve dating market function
- Maintaining rational, evidence-based discourse despite controversial nature
- Balancing population sustainability with social progress