The Single Biggest Threat to Humanity - Stephen J Shaw | #37

Listen to this episode from The Next Generation on Spotify. I sat down with data scientist and demographer Stephen J Shaw, best know for his work on falling birthrates, to discuss the biggest problem facing humanity. I've been wanting to get Stephen on the show from the very beginning, and he did not disappoint!Find more from Stephen: www.birthgap.orgCHAPTERS00:00 There’s nothing this crisis won’t touch04:23 Gen Z doesn’t realise what’s about to happen05:18 India as an example08:02 Applying the example to the rest of the world10:03 People are shocked by this11:41 We’re in a downward spiral with no known solution13:58 Overpopulation has been debunked but is still being pushed16:38 The difference between birth rate and fertility rate17:35 Birth rates are halving at an alarming rate19:56 Korea could disappear in your lifetime21:56 A dystopian vision of the future26:03 How the crisis will bring economic decline29:40 Elliot paints a picture of the generic Gen Z expectations31:13 The age where you’re 50% likely to not have children33:32 Aging also affects men’s chances of having children35:11 The risks of delaying40:20 Only 10% of childless adults didn’t want children43:21 The grief of male childlessness49:34 Is it misogynistic to campaign for higher birth rates?52:24 People are pushing anti-natalism for political reasons55:42 So many policies have been tried and have failed1:01:03 Hungary’s family-friendly culture1:03:13 Four radical Hungarian policies1:07:29 So many of our societies are not supportive of families1:11:16 We need to reinvent everything1:12:50 Changing the model for education1:17:57 Changing the model for employment1:20:26 Retirement will look different1:21:56 The growing divide between men and women1:25:09 Giving up on sex & relationships1:27:35 The vicious cycle of waiting1:28:41 Elliot uses himself as an example1:30:00 Is this fuelled by the decline of the Christian narrative?1:34:23 How AI will affect fertility1:35:21 Which towns & cities should we save?1:36:55 Aging populations will shift societal power1:39:32 Stephen’s opposition to assisted suicide1:43:59 Stephen’s message to Gen Z1:45:17 Final wordsMy Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elliotbewick/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@elliotbewickX: https://x.com/elliotbewickABOUT THE NEXT GENERATION: In a world saturated by social media and marked by skyrocketing rates of anxiety, depression, and ADHD among Gen Z, young people are growing up in a landscape of chaos and contradiction. While protests swell in city streets and activists hurl soup at famous artworks to demand climate action, a quieter crisis unfolds within - the mental and emotional battles faced by a generation trying to make sense of it all.The Next Generation is hosted by 20-year-old Elliot Bewick, offering a raw and honest look at the world through the eyes of those living in it. Bringing together insight from professionals and young people on the ground, this podcast isn’t here to complain or chase clout. It’s here to bend the arc of the modern world towards solutions, truth and a love for the beautiful adventure of life itself.