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. (more...)

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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

_____________________________ 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

___________________________ 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