Power User with Taylor Lorenz
Elon Musk and the Billionaire Baby Boom
Feb 20, 2025
Julia Black, a reporter at The Information, dives into the intriguing world of pronatalism among Silicon Valley's elite. She unpacks why billionaires like Elon Musk are obsessed with boosting birth rates, linking it to right-wing ideologies and eugenics. The conversation raises ethical questions about reproductive technologies and their impact on women's autonomy. Black highlights how this movement threatens to reshape societal norms around parenthood, raising alarms about reproductive rights and the future of women's empowerment.
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Quick takeaways
- The resurgence of pronatalism among tech billionaires reflects a troubling intertwining of right-wing ideology, demographic anxiety, and reproductive technologies.
- As Silicon Valley promotes larger families, significant risks emerge for women's autonomy and professional equality, potentially reversing hard-won gains in gender rights.
Deep dives
Understanding Pronatalism and Its Roots
Pronatalism, or natalism, refers to the ideological support for increasing birth rates, particularly in response to demographic concerns about declining population numbers. This movement has seen a resurgence in Silicon Valley, often linked to influential figures like Elon Musk, who advocate for having more children to counter perceived national crises. Historically, pronatalism has been associated with authoritarianism and societal fears, with its recent popularity reflecting concerns about immigration and economic instability. These elements intertwine, suggesting that a demographic shift is viewed as essential to the preservation of cultural identity, often tied to affluent and primarily white populations.
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