[Linkpost] “Most of the World Is an Adorably Suffering, Debatably Conscious Baby” by Jack_S🔸

This is a link post.

There are some moments of your life when the reality of suffering really hits home. Visiting desperately poor parts of the world for the first time. Discovering what factory farming actually looks like after a childhood surrounded by relatively idyllic rural farming. Realising too late that you shouldn’t have clicked on that video of someone experiencing a cluster headache.

Or, more unexpectedly, having a baby.

One of 10^20 Birth Stories This Year

With my relaxed and glowing pregnant wife in her 34th week, I expect things to go smoothly. There have been a few warning signs: some slightly anomalous results in the early tests, the baby in breech position, and some bleeding. But everything still seems to be going relatively well.

Then, suddenly, while walking on an idyllic French seafront, she says:

"I think my waters have broken".

"Really? It's probably nothing, let's [...]

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Outline:

(00:39) One of 10^20 Birth Stories This Year

(03:51) The Beginning of Experience

(05:38) Is This Almost Everything?

(08:17) Schrödinger's baby

(12:58) On Feeling the Right Things

(14:59) Into The Fifth  Trimester

(16:40) The Most Beautiful Case For Net-Negativity

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First published:
August 21st, 2025

Source:
https://forum.effectivealtruism.org/posts/6PuBTer69ZJvTDNQk/most-of-the-world-is-an-adorably-suffering-debatably-1

Linkpost URL:
https://torchestogether.substack.com/p/most-of-the-world-is-an-adorably

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Narrated by TYPE III AUDIO.

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