Valentine went back to class without answering. That night Demosthenes published a scathing denunciation of the population limitation laws. People should be allowed to have as many children as they like, and the surplus population should be sent to other worlds, to spread mankind so far across the galaxy that no danger, no invasion could ever threaten the human race with annihilation. The most noble title any child can have, Demosthenes wrote, is Third.
Valentine chose not to respond during class, indicating her discontent or discomfort with the topic at hand. Later that evening, under her pseudonym Demosthenes, she released a powerful critique of the current laws limiting population growth. Her arguments centered on the belief that individuals should be free to have as many children as they desire, and any excess population could be relocated to other planets. This idea sought to ensure the survival of humanity by dispersing them throughout the galaxy.
Valentine’s writing emphasized a vision of safety and resilience for the human race. According to her, by populating other worlds, humanity could mitigate the risk of annihilation from external threats. Furthermore, she argued that the most esteemed designation for any child in this expanded society would be “Third,” a title signifying new opportunities amidst the vastness of space. Through her words, she not only challenged existing norms but also laid out a hopeful future for humankind.
