Summary of Key Points
This article discusses several wealthy individuals' reproductive choices—such as Sun Dadao spending $50 million on his girlfriend's eggs, Boss Xu having over 100 children through surrogacy, and Elon Musk having 14 children—and compares them with the average person's views on parenting. It criticizes the practice of some wealthy individuals treating childbirth as a form of "asset allocation" or a tool for "genetic continuation," arguing that children are not mere calculable assets but beings that require emotional connection. It suggests that this industrialized approach to reproduction will ultimately face the backlash of fate.
Detailed Analysis
1. The "Reproductive Assembly Line" of the Wealthy: Turning Children into "Customized Products"
Wealthy individuals today approach childbirth in a highly standardized manner, similar to factory production: they select women with high education and beauty levels to donate their eggs (for example, Sun Dadao's girlfriend's eggs were priced at $50 million), use their own sperm for in vitro fertilization (IVF), and then hire surrogates to have multiple children (most of Boss Xu's 100 children were born through surrogacy in the United States). They even use AI to assist in their decision-making (Sun Dadao asked AI whether to spend $50 million on the process), turning every step of reproduction into a calculable process—just like ordering a customized bag, except this time the "product" is a child.
For instance, Boss Xu's company once published photos of his children waiting in line, calculating the annual cost of raising each child at $24,000 to $29,000. For him, with a fortune of 23 billion, it's roughly the same as keeping a tank of goldfish. This "mass production" of children completely strips away the emotional aspect of parenting, leaving only cold numbers and transactions.
2. Motivation: From "Imperial Dreams" to "Genetic Investment"
The motivations of these wealthy individuals are similar to those of ancient emperors who wanted to have many children to ensure the continuation of their lineage—both feared the extinction of their bloodline and the lack of heirs. However, modern wealthy individuals see it more as a form of "genetic investment": having more children is like gaining more cards in a genetic game; if one child turns out to be a "genius," they can continue their wealth and genes. Even if not, at least one child will inherit the business. Elon Musk has publicly stated his intention to have more children to address the population crisis, and his actions reflect this genetic strategy, believing his genes (such as his innovation skills) are worth passing on. Sun Dadao's actions also reflect this desire to "leave his legacy," even if it means spending a large sum of money.
3. The Ordinary Person's View on Parenting: A Difference in "Emotional Dimension"
The article includes a poignant example of a breakfast stand owner: she wakes up at 4 a.m. to mix dough, with two children—one in college and one in middle school. Her greatest wish is that her children won't have to work as hard as she does. Her parenting is driven by love and hope; her children are her concern and the reason she wants to improve her life. In contrast, Boss Xu's 100 children may not even have all their names recorded, and Sun Dadao's children are already considered commodities in the process of negotiation. Musk's children were sometimes born with company executives, more akin to a "genetic collaboration." Their parenting lacks the personal touches of a mother's daily routine and the love she puts into her children's meals.
4. Criticism: Children Are Not Assets, but a "Debt to Fate"
The author's central argument is that treating children as assets leads to failure. Even ancient emperors, despite their efforts, could not guarantee the continuation of their lineage (for example, the Qin dynasty only lasted two generations, and many of Emperor Wu of Han's sons killed each other). Modern wealthy individuals may think they can control everything with money (such as the cost of raising children or the quality of their genes), but what will their children think when they grow up? Will they acknowledge the role of their father who only provided sperm?未必. Sun Dadao's story illustrates this point: his initial passion turns into a transactional arrangement for an egg and money.
5. Reflection on the Absurdity of Technology-Driven Reproduction
The most absurd aspect is that technology (IVF, surrogacy, AI) has made reproduction more controllable, but it has also made it more alienated. Wealthy individuals use technology to turn parenting into a transaction, forgetting the essential aspect of emotional connection. While the children of the breakfast stand owner may not have private jets, they understand their mother's hard work and the love she puts into their meals. In contrast, children born through mass reproduction may never experience such warmth.
This article questions what we lose when parenting becomes a form of investment. The answer is simple: the genuine love and care that exist between people.
Final Conclusion
Children are not meant to be used as tools for achievement; they are lives that require heartfelt love. The so-called "continuation of the bloodline" built on money cannot compare to the warmth of a simple bowl of hot soy milk.