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Culture War Roundup for the week of January 26, 2026

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Abortion's a tricky one to me since whilst I personally believe it's something that shouldn't be done frivolously but there are legitimate applications. I can see how somebody's belief systems can directly draw a line from abortion to cold-blooded murder of the most vulnerable, in a far more coherent and sensible way than a lot of other protest movements.

draw a line from abortion to cold-blooded murder of the most vulnerable

Yeah, but what if it wasn't (either "not cold-blooded murder" or "not the most vulnerable")? All abortions that occur are self-justifying if you hate people who would get abortions enough (which is why I believe the pro-choice argument that pro-life views are held out of hatred is invalid- if it was, they'd hold this view instead).

You see, if a mother is stupid or frivolous enough to need an abortion (we have birth control devices that are basically magic these days, this isn't that hard), that mother (and by logical extension, that father) is doing everyone else a service by not reproducing.

The eugenics argument is not frivolous. Morality and impulse control are heritable, babies at higher risk of abortion are inherently at a disadvantage there, and really, what's the difference between that kid getting aborted by doctor 2 months pre-partum, or aborted by cop 200 months post-partum? The latter tends to be a lot more destructive, violent, and costly.

It's commendable behavior to relent on one's decision to create such a human. (And for those who understand this commendation is not a compliment and keep the baby as a result... well, that attitude is what makes someone fit to reproduce.)

On the other hand, mothers who abort rape babies, for genetic defects incompatible with life, or because having the baby would kill them are also acting pro-socially, but these people aren't acting foolishly (well, for the most part) so the compliment actually is one here, and it is necessary they don't feel too bad about it.