The Manichean Paranoia Patch

Before I forget, today is the official Day of Conception in Ulyanovsk Oblast, a federal subject of Russia.  In honor of its low birthrates, September 12th has been designated a day for couples to get off of work and then… get off in bed, if you’re willing to excuse the horrible sexual pun.  Couples that give birth nine months later, June 12th, will receive “money, cars, refrigerators, and other prizes.”  For those that participate and give birth on that day, a committee of judges evaluates the mother and family based on criteria including respectability and parenting.   More than 600 women signed up for the contest last year, and the birth rate on that day was three times the usual average.

Ulyanovsk Oblast: