100px|Logo for the Voluntary Human Extinction Movement
The Voluntary Human Extinction Movement is an environmental movement
that calls for all people to abstain from reproduction to cause the
gradual voluntary extinction of mankind. VHEMT supports human
extinction primarily because it would prevent environmental
degradation. The group states that a decrease in the human population
would prevent a significant amount of man-made human suffering. The
extinctions of non-human species and the scarcity of resources required
by humans are frequently cited by the group as evidence of the harm
caused by human overpopulation. VHEMT was founded in 1991 by Les U.
Knight, an activist who became involved in the environmental movement
in the 1970s and thereafter concluded that human extinction was the
best solution to the problems facing the Earth's biosphere and
humanity. Knight publishes the group's newsletter and serves as its
spokesperson. Although the group is promoted by a website and
represented at some environmental events, it relies heavily on coverage
from outside media to spread its message. Many commentators view its
platform as unacceptably extreme, though other writers have applauded
VHEMT's perspective. In response to VHEMT, some journalists and
academics have argued that humans can develop sustainable lifestyles or
can reduce their population to sustainable levels. Others maintain
that, whatever the merits of the idea, because of the human
reproductive drive mankind will never voluntarily seek extinction.
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<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voluntary_Human_Extinction_Movement>
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Today's selected anniversaries:
1721:
Johann Sebastian Bach presented Margrave Christian Ludwig of
Brandenburg-Schwedt with six concertos, now commonly called the
Brandenburg concertos (no. 1 featured).
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brandenburg_concertos>
1860:
Rōnin samurai of the Mito Domain assassinated Japanese Chief Minister
Ii Naosuke, upset with his role in the opening of Japan to foreign
powers.
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sakuradamon_incident_%281860%29>
1922:
Irish War of Independence: In Belfast, Northern Irish police broke into
a house and murdered a Catholic family in reprisal for the deaths of
two policemen the day before.
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McMahon_murders>
1927:
Chinese Civil War: In the midst of a battle between the Communists and
Nationalists, warships from six countries bombarded Nanjing in defense
of the foreign citizens living there.
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nanjing_incident>
1944:
Second World War: Captured Allied airmen began "the Great Escape",
breaking out of the German prison camp Stalag Luft III.
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stalag_Luft_III>
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Wiktionary's word of the day:
siesta (n):
An afternoon nap, especially the one taken after lunch in some cultures
<http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/siesta>
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Wikiquote quote of the day:
Almighty Freedom! give my venturous song
The force, the charm that to thy voice belong;
Tis thine to shape
my course, to light my way,
To nerve my country with the patriot lay,
To teach all men where all
their interest lies,
How rulers may be just and nations wise:
Strong in thy strength I bend
no suppliant knee,
Invoke no miracle, no Muse but thee.
--Joel Barlow
<http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Joel_Barlow>