If at birth you could select the profession your child would eventually pursue, would you do so?

No, because then we fall into the same trap as the people of the doomed planet Krypton. Just because you’re born into the science guild doesn’t make you better than someone born into the labor guild. And if you’re born into the military guild you end up gaining an overdeveloped sense of power and sooner or later you’re yelling for people to “Kneel before ZOD!”

Okay, the Krypton example is a little ridiculous. But the answer is still no. I would hope that my kids, should they ever exist, would have the same opportunity to choose what they want to do with their lives that I had. And sure, I’m still not 100% on what I want to do when I grow up. I don’t think I’ll ever be 100% on that. I’m not sure I’ll ever really grow up. But at least I have that freedom to be indecisive. I want that for future generations, as well.

Keep in mind, according to the movie Hook, Peter Pan’s parents had his whole life planned out from infancy. And that’s why he magically caused his own pram to roll away and somehow get to Neverland.

*The Question of the Week can be found in The Book of Questions by Gregory Stock, Ph.D.