We do read and learn a lot from all HOTLINE reader comments and criticisms  – so keep ’em coming, please.

We got lots of responses to our item the other day, pulling the fire alarm about tragic reductions in birth rates in Britain and other developed nations.

This chart, sent by a reader, demonstrates two things about trends in fertility. First, birth rates are coming down fast – nearly everywhere. And second, women in poor nations are still routinely having 4 and 5 babies – for now. The implication is that as economic development and higher living standards come to the less developed countries, their birth rates will follow this downward trajectory.

If that happens, we really could be facing a reverse Malthusian crisis of depopulation – too few humans.