The world faces a population bomb of old people, such as those seated on the bench above. Not only are countries such as Russia and Japan doomed to fade into the twilight of history due to ultra-low birthrates. Entire towns and regions of developed nations such as the United States and Canada are dwindling into non-existence.
It is not only prairie towns, farm towns, and isolated rural towns that are shrinking to nothing. Scenic coastal towns such as Camden, Maine, are desperate to prevent the continuing loss of population. Much more than regional colour, history, and tax bases are being lost. Entire ways of life and culture are slipping out of time. What is to be done?
Al Fin recently traveled to Camden, to meet with Jose Mendez, El Jefe of the Latin Stallions.
Al Fin: Why have you and the Stallions come to Camden, Jefe? Were you invited by the mayor or city council?
Jefe: (Laughing) No, Al. We could see there was a need for our services here. The population is dropping because the bit-... uh, the young women are not having babies. It's a problem we know how to solve, so we're solving it.
AF: But how do the townspeople of Camden react to what you are doing?
Jefe: The bi-... er, women don't mind, Al. Some of the older people give us the dirty looks, sure. It's an Anglo thing for unmarried women and girls not to have babies. But you see where that hangup's got them? We're here to help.
AF: So the Stallions are just here temporarily? You don't plan to settle here, like on a stud farm, maybe get married?
Jefe: Hell, no, Al! We're the "Travlin" Latin Stallions. We don't stop no place for nobody. There's lots of towns like Camden that needs us.
AF: Okay, but how do you finance your travels? Who pays your way as you go from shrinking town to shrinking town?
Jefe: We don' talk about that to the public, Al. But we're more than just studs. We're businessmen. We move more than one product, if you know what I mean.
AF: I think I do, Jefe. Well, thanks for speaking with me, and good luck re-populating the small towns and backwoods.
Jefe: Hey, no problem Al. We know what needs to be done. If these ... women need a little help, we're there for it.
See, Al, in a capitalist country there's solutions to any problem you got. Sometimes you need an outsider to see what needs to be done....
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There you have it. The outlook for Russia and Japan may not be so bright, unless such countries can develop stud solutions of their own. Artificial wombs might be the best solution, but we are still years and decades away from being able to mass produce effective artificial wombs. Until then, the ... er, women may need something a bit more convincing to help them see the light. Perhaps something more studly than they are accustomed to?
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