I’d just like to point out that it is not a complete coincidence that fertility declined about the time that “The Population Bomb” was published.

An important part of the indoctrination of young people from that time on was the social irresponsibility of having more than two children. My wife and I lived through that, and even we felt a little guilty about having a third child. Now we wish we’d had a fourth.

But it was definitely not “the thing to do”. Yes, nearly foolproof contraception, ideological feminism and the ability to make career choices played roles as well; but I believe that underneath it all it was simply inconceivable (sorry ) that one would contribute to the horror of the population explosion that would ruin the planet.