Latest news with #Nawfal
Economic Times
27-06-2025
- Politics
- Economic Times
'Three more please': Elon Musk wants parents to volunteer to make up for the ones with none
Billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk is once again sounding the alarm on declining birth rates—this time urging parents to have at least three more children to make up for those who aren't having any.'People who have kids do need to have 3 kids to make up for those who have 0 or 1 kid or population will collapse,' Musk posted on X (formerly Twitter), responding to a post by entrepreneur Mario had shared alarming statistics, citing Fortune, noting that the long-held belief that 2.1 children per woman is the replacement rate is no longer valid. "Scientists now say 2.1 kids per woman won't cut it - 2.7 is the real number needed to avoid long-term extinction. Right now, the U.S. is at 1.66, and most rich countries are even lower, including Italy at 1.29 and Japan at 1.30. The new math factors in randomness - like who never has kids or how many girls are born," Nawfal wrote.'This isn't new,' Nawfal said. 'Elon's been warning about this for years, but most Americans still aren't losing sleep over it.' Musk, who has repeatedly warned of the risks of population collapse, believes low fertility rates pose a serious threat to economic stability, technological advancement, and societal survival. He has been a strong advocate for policies that encourage larger families, especially in ageing countries such as Japan, South Korea, and many parts of Europe, where declining populations are already straining healthcare systems and labour fertility rates have plummeted from an average of 5.3 children per woman in 1963 to under 2.5 today, according to recent reports. If this trend continues, experts warn of severe consequences—labour shortages, stagnating economies, and increased social Musk, the message is simple: If we want a thriving future, more kids are the solution.
Time of India
27-06-2025
- Science
- Time of India
‘Population will collapse'— Elon Musk's prediction gains traction as global numbers drop faster than expected; here's what we know
Tech entrepreneur Elon Musk has once again raised concerns about declining birth rates, calling it a significant risk to the future of human civilisation. In a recent post on X (formerly Twitter), Musk responded to a data thread referencing a Fortune report which suggested that the previously accepted replacement fertility rate of 2.1 children per woman is now outdated. The revised figure stands at 2.7, according to scientists cited in the report. Musk warned that continued declines in fertility rates could lead to long-term population collapse, a view he has repeatedly shared in recent years. Replacement rate higher than previously believed The post, originally shared by user Nawfal, pointed out that 2.1 children per woman may no longer be enough to sustain population levels. He noted that the revised number, 2.7, reflects a more accurate replacement rate because it accounts for those who never have children and existing gender imbalances. Nawfal also cited data showing that current fertility rates in many developed countries are far below that threshold. For instance, the U.S. stands at 1.66, while Italy and Japan are even lower at 1.29 and 1.30 respectively. Musk reposted the thread and added, 'People who have kids do need to have 3 kids to make up for those who have 0 or 1 kid or population will collapse.' Musk links birth rate declines to past civilisations Musk has previously drawn parallels between falling fertility and the decline of historic empires. He cited Ancient Rome as an example, stating that reduced birth rates were a major factor in its collapse — something he believes is often overlooked. He has framed the issue as both demographic and mathematical, warning, 'If you don't believe me now, just wait 20 years.' Musk is a father to 14 children. His first child, Nevada Alexander, born in 2002 with then-wife Justine Wilson, died at 10 weeks old. The couple later had five more children: twins Vivian and Griffin, followed by triplets Kai, Saxon, and Damian. UN report highlights global fertility decline The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) also addressed the topic in its 2025 State of World Population Report, titled 'The Real Fertility Crisis.' According to the agency, fertility rates are dropping globally, with many people having fewer children than they would prefer. The report identifies the high cost of child-rearing and difficulty in finding suitable partners as key reasons for the decline. In India, the fertility rate now stands at 1.9 births per woman—below the replacement benchmark of 2.1. UNFPA India Representative Andrea M Wojnar stated that India's fertility rate has dropped significantly since 1970, thanks to improvements in education and healthcare warning joins global research suggesting the world may be heading for a demographic shift driven by declining birth rates.
Mint
27-06-2025
- Science
- Mint
Elon Musk warns of population collapse due to falling birth rates: 'Have 3 kids to make up for...'
MuTech billionaire Elon Musk has raised concerns about what he considers humanity's most serious existential threat, 'falling birth rates'. In a post on X, the Tesla and SpaceX CEO reacted to a user referencing a Fortune report, which claimed that women need to have an average of 2.7 children to sustain population levels. Nawfal shared statistics, referencing Fortune, and pointed out that the widely accepted replacement rate of 2.1 children per woman is now considered outdated. He wrote, 'Scientists now say 2.1 kids per woman won't cut it — 2.7 is the real number needed to avoid long-term extinction. Right now, the U.S. is at 1.66, and most rich countries are even lower, including Italy at 1.29 and Japan at 1.30.' Nawfal further explained that the revised figure accounts for variables such as individuals who never have children and gender imbalances at birth. 'People who have kids do need to have 3 kids to make up for those who have 0 or 1 kid or population will collapse,' Musk said while reposting Nawfal's post. Musk has connected declining birth rates to the collapse of past civilisations, particularly ancient Rome. He once remarked, 'Low birth rates were the primary factor in their downfall — shockingly overlooked by most historians.' Framing the issue as both a mathematical and civilizational crisis, Musk has consistently warned of long-term consequences, famously stating, 'If you don't believe me now, just wait 20 years.' Over the past two decades, Elon Musk has fathered 14 children. He first became a parent in 2002 with the birth of his son Nevada Alexander, whom he shared with his then-wife, Canadian author Justine Wilson. Tragically, Nevada passed away at just 10 weeks old. Musk and Wilson later had five more children together: twins Vivian and Griffin, followed by triplets Kai, Saxon, and Damian. If you don't believe me now, just wait 20 years. A new report from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the UN's reproductive rights agency, revealed that low fertility rates are increasingly common worldwide. In its most direct statement to date on falling fertility rates, the agency warns that hundreds of millions of people are unable to have as many children as they would like. Key reasons include the high cost of raising children and the difficulty in finding a suitable partner. Low birth rates were the primary factor in their downfall — shockingly overlooked by most historians. The 2025 State of World Population (SOWP) Report by UNFPA, titled 'The Real Fertility Crisis,' highlighted that India's total fertility rate has dropped to 1.9 births per woman, which is below the replacement threshold of 2.1. 'India has made significant progress in lowering fertility rates – from nearly five children per woman in 1970 to about two today, thanks to improved education and access to reproductive healthcare,' said Andrea M Wojnar, UNFPA India Representative.
The Star
31-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
Beloved Sabah folk tale comes to KL theatre stage for Kaamatan celebration
Queennera Francis Kitingon steps into the role of Princess Huminodun in 'Huminodun: Muzikal Puteri Nabalu', which takes the stage at Auditorium Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP) in Kuala Lumpur this weekend. Photo: Bernama Theatre production Huminodun: Muzikal Puteri Nabalu, which highlights the tale of a legendary princess from Sabah, will be staged at the Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP) auditorium in Kuala Lumpur this weekend in conjunction with the Kaamatan festival. It tells the story of the sacrifice of Princess Huminodun, a virtuous maiden who willingly sacrifices her life to save her land and people from famine. Based on an original script by Satra Nurizman and adapted by Amsalib Pisali, the play is directed by Nawfal Zamri, who faced the challenge of working in the Kadazandusun language - a task that demanded a deep grasp of its tone and pronunciation. "I'm from Perak and not familiar with this language but I'm grateful to have help from friends in Sabah to review the actors' pronunciation because language and intonation are very important," said Nawfal at a recent media conference. Marlenny says the folk tale offers insight into sacrifice and love through a Sabahan lens, highlighting a mother's pain in giving up her child for her people's survival. Photo: Bernama "We also didn't want to lose the authentic feel. So, several important parts are retained in the original language, especially the emotional dialogues. However, the overall structure of the performance has been arranged to be easily understood by the audience," he added. For this production, Nawfal also conducted field research in Sabah, visiting sites believed to be connected to the origins of the Huminodun legend. Huminodun: Muzikal Puteri Nabalu is presented by KGE Studio and the Sabah Community Aid Association, in collaboration with Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris, DBP and Pertubuhan Anak Karya Malaysia, and supported via grants from Yayasan Hasanah and ArtFast. The play's cast includes Queenenra Francine as Princess Huminodun, and Virtoues Romana, Ijat Ashari, Faizan Deraman, Verd and Dr Marlenny Deen Erwan. 'My hope is for this play to serve as a gateway for more stories from Sabah and Sarawak to be staged and appreciated,' says Anas. Photo: Bernama Marlenny, who portrays Suminundu, the mother of Princess Huminodun, shared that the production goes beyond entertainment — it serves as a bridge for cross-cultural understanding, offering audiences a deeper appreciation of Sabahan heritage and values. "This Sabah folk tale gives the audience an opportunity to understand the values of sacrifice and love from a different cultural perspective. The story portrays a mother's emotion as she allows her child to be sacrificed for the well-being of the people,' she said. Producer and founder of KGE Studio Anas Amdan said the original staging of Huminodun in 2022 in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, won four awards at the Malaysia Theatre Awards, serving as a stepping stone to bring the play to Kuala Lumpur. "My hope is for this play to serve as a gateway for more stories from Sabah and Sarawak to be staged and appreciated. We want to promote this work not merely for commercial gain but for its significant cultural value and audience response,' he said. - Bernama
NDTV
28-04-2025
- Health
- NDTV
"Robots Will Outperform Best Surgeons In 5 Years": Elon Musk
New Delhi: Amid significant medical breakthroughs being achieved by robots, billionaire Elon Musk on Monday said they have the potential to surpass the best human surgeons within five years. The Tesla and SpaceX CEO said that his brain-computer interface company Neuralink depended on robots for the brain-computer electrode insertion as the task was impossible to achieve with humans. "Robots will surpass good human surgeons within a few years and the best human surgeons within five years," Musk shared in a post on the social media platform X. "Neuralink had to use a robot for the brain-computer electrode insertion, as it was impossible for a human to achieve the required speed and precision," he added. The post came in response to another post by influencer Mario Nawfal who highlighted a recent breakthrough of robotics in medicine by the US-based medical device company Medtronic. Nawfal said that Medtronic successfully deployed its Hugo robotic system in "137 real surgeries -- fixing prostates, kidneys, and bladders". The surgery results were "better than doctors expected" and saw "a success rate of over 98 per cent'. The complication rates were also significantly low for prostate surgeries (3.7 per cent), kidney surgeries (1.9 per cent), and bladder surgeries (17.9 per cent). Of the 137 surgeries, only two needed to switch back to regular surgery -- one because of a robot glitch, and one because of a tricky patient case, Nawfal said. Meanwhile, Musk's Neuralink is currently engaged in a clinical trial of its brain-computer interface technology. The company aims to create brain-controlled devices for people with paralysis or neurodegenerative diseases. While none of the devices are yet commercial, three people have successfully received a Neuralink brain implant. "If all goes well, there will be hundreds of people with Neuralinks within a few years, maybe tens of thousands within 5 years, millions within 10 years," Musk said, on X in 2024.
