Simone and Malcolm Collins
{{Short description|American pronatalist advocates}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2025}}
{{Infobox person
| image = Simone and Malcolm Collins at their house.jpg
| caption = Simone (left) and Malcolm (right) in 2023
| name = Simone and Malcolm Collins
| birth_name = Malcolm James Collins
| birth_date = {{birth year and age|1986}}
| birth_place = Dallas, Texas, U.S.
| alma_mater = University of St Andrews
Stanford Graduate School of Business
| yearsactive =
| children =
| occupation =
| module =
{{Infobox person
| embed = yes
| birth_name = Simone Haruko Smith
| birth_date = {{birth year and age|1987}}
| birth_place = Japan
| yearsactive =
| occupation =
| alma_mater = George Washington University
University of Cambridge
| children = 4
| known_for = Pronatalism
| notable_works = Based Camp, The Pragmatist's Guide to Governance
| website = {{url|https://pronatalist.org}}
}}
}}
Simone Haruko Collins (née Smith; born 1987) and Malcolm James Collins (born 1986) are a married couple known primarily for their views and advocacy related to pronatalism, a stance encouraging higher birth rates and expressing concerns about demographic decline and its implications on society and the economy.{{Cite web |last=Black |first=Julia |date=November 1, 2022 |title=Billionaires like Elon Musk want to save civilization by having tons of genetically superior kids. Inside the movement to take 'control of human evolution.' |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/pronatalism-elon-musk-simone-malcolm-collins-underpopulation-breeding-tech-2022-11 |access-date=April 29, 2024 |website=Business Insider |language=en-US}}{{Cite news |last=Dodds |first=Io |date=April 17, 2023 |title=Meet the 'elite' couples breeding to save mankind |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/family/life/pronatalists-save-mankind-by-having-babies-silicon-valley/ |access-date=April 29, 2024 |work=The Telegraph |language=en-GB |issn=0307-1235}}{{Cite web |last=Breen |first=Amanda |date=May 3, 2022 |title=The 'Bizarrely Authoritarian' U.S. Education System Inspired This Husband and Wife to Co-Found a 'Genius School' for Future Entrepreneurs and Leaders |url=https://www.entrepreneur.com/leadership/the-bizarrely-authoritarian-us-education-system/425668 |access-date=April 29, 2024 |website=Entrepreneur |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Collins |first=Malcolm |date=August 6, 2013 |title=How I Proposed to My Girlfriend on Reddit |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/reddit-proposal_b_3713560 |access-date=April 30, 2024 |website=HuffPost |language=en}} They also host the podcast Based Camp.{{cite news |last1=Goldberg |first1=Emma |title=The Women Who Think the World Needs More Babies |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/17/style/women-pronatalist-movement.html |access-date=18 April 2025 |work=The New York Times |date=2025-04-17}}
Career
Simone and Malcolm Collins previously worked in venture capital and technology sectors. Simone previously served as the managing director for Dialog, a secretive invite-only social club co-founded by investor Peter Thiel. Malcolm previously worked as a venture capitalist at TheVentures in South Korea.{{Cite web |date=October 5, 2015 |title=더벤처스, 말콤 콜린스 前아트코기 대표 영입 |url=http://www.thebell.co.kr/free/content/ArticleView.asp?key=201510010100002550000157&lcode=00 |access-date=May 1, 2024 |website=더벨뉴스 |language=ko}}{{Cite web |last= |date=October 1, 2015 |title=[인사동정]말콤 콜린스, 더벤처스 전략 디렉터에 영입 |url=https://www.etnews.com/20151001000205?SNS=00002 |access-date=May 1, 2024 |website=미래를 보는 신문 - 전자신문 |language=ko}} The Collinses are currently the managing directors of the corporate wholesale travel agency Travelmax.
The couple has written five books in their Pragmatist Guide series.{{Cite web |last= |title=Homepage - The Pragmatist Foundation |url=https://pragmatist.guide/ |access-date=April 29, 2024 |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Cook |first=Michael |date=November 24, 2022 |title=The power couple on a mission to save the world from demographic disaster |url=https://www.mercatornet.com/the-power-couple-on-a-mission-to-save-the-world-from-demographic-disaster |access-date=April 29, 2024 |website=Mercator |language=en}} Their book The Pragmatist's Guide to Governance: From high school cliques to boards, family offices, and nations: A guide to optimizing governance models was briefly on the Wall Street Journal Bestseller List in 2023.{{Cite news |title=Bestselling Books Week Ended March 25 |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/bestselling-books-week-ended-march-25-17f6a614 |access-date=April 29, 2024 |work=WSJ |language=en-US}}
= Pronatalism advocacy =
The Collinses are prominent{{Cite news |last=Kirkey |first=Sharon |date=December 18, 2023 |title=The new push for more babies: How tech elites think it will save the planet |url=https://nationalpost.com/feature/pronatalism-reborn |access-date=April 29, 2024 |work=National Post}} figures within the pronatalist movement, which advocates for higher birth rates as a means to address demographic and economic challenges. They are the founders of Pronatalist.org, a non-profit initiative aimed at promoting and supporting high birth rates.{{Cite web |last=Collins |first=Malcolm |date=January 28, 2023 |title=The world needs more big families like ours for humans to survive |url=https://nypost.com/2023/01/28/the-world-needs-more-big-families-like-ours-for-humans-to-survive/ |access-date=April 29, 2024 |website=New York Post |language=en-US}}
The Collinses fear that low fertility rates, especially among people they view as high-achieving, could lead to a decline in innovation and societal progress as well as the extinction of cultures, economic breakdown, and the collapse of civilization.{{Cite web |date=December 10, 2023 |title=Simone and Malcolm Collins: the pro-birthers trying to grow populations |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/sunday/audio/2018918907/simone-and-malcolm-collins-the-pro-birthers-trying-to-grow-populations |access-date=April 29, 2024 |website=RNZ |language=en-nz}}{{Cite news |last=Ohio Star Staff |date=May 5, 2023 |title=Commentary: The Population Crash |url=https://theohiostar.com/commentary/commentary-the-population-crash/ohstarstaff/2023/03/05/ |work=The Ohio Star}} They are part of a network of self-styled “elites,” that include billionaires like Elon Musk, who publicly express concerns about demographic trends leading to population collapse.{{Cite news |last=Del Valle |first=Gaby |date=April 28, 2024 |title=The Far Right's Campaign to Explode the Population |url=https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2024/04/28/natalism-conference-austin-00150338 |access-date=May 1, 2024 |work=Politico}} They have been featured in discussions about their use of preimplantation genetic testing to select embryos.{{Cite news |last=Goldbert |first=Carey |date=May 26, 2022 |title=The Pandora's Box of Embryo Testing Is Officially Open |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2022-05-26/dna-testing-for-embryos-promises-to-predict-genetic-diseases |access-date=April 29, 2024 |work=Bloomberg.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Fiano-Chesser |first=Cassy |date=November 30, 2022 |title='Hipster eugenicist' couple hopes to make real-life 'Gattaca' babies through genetic screening |url=https://www.liveaction.org/news/hipster-eugenicist-gattaca-babies-genetic-screening/ |access-date=April 29, 2024 |website=Live Action News |language=en-US}} The Collinses are vocal supporters of using advanced reproductive technologies, including in vitro fertilisation and genetic screening, to promote higher birth rates and advocate for selecting embryos based on perceived desirable traits, such as high IQ.{{Cite web |last=Harrington |first=Mary |date=November 3, 2023 |title=Can liberals save themselves from extinction? |url=https://unherd.com/2023/11/can-liberals-save-themselves-from-extinction/ |access-date=April 29, 2024 |website=UnHerd |language=en-GB}} The Collinses' views have been criticised as promoting eugenics.{{Cite news |last=Mahdawi |first=Arwa |date=April 21, 2023 |title='Hipster eugenics': why is the media cosying up to people who want to build a super race? |url=https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2023/apr/20/pro-natalism-babies-global-population-genetics |access-date=April 29, 2024 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}{{Cite web |last=Bradford |first=Mark |date=December 26, 2023 |title=Pronatalists Want A Child, But Not THAT One |url=https://www.wordonfire.org/articles/pronatalists-want-a-child-but-not-that-one/ |access-date=April 29, 2024 |website=Word on Fire}} In 2023, they were speakers at the controversial Natal Conference in Austin, Texas which featured speakers connected to far-right eugenicists.{{Cite news |last=Slawson |first=Nicola |date=September 4, 2023 |title=First Thing: US pro-birth conference's links to far-right eugenicists revealed |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/sep/04/first-thing-us-pro-birth-conferences-links-to-far-right-eugenicists-revealed |access-date=April 29, 2024 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}{{Cite news |last=Wilson |first=Jason |date=September 4, 2023 |title=Revealed: US pro-birth conference's links to far-right eugenicists |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/sep/04/natal-conference-austin-texas-eugenics |access-date=April 29, 2024 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}{{Cite news |last=Del Valle |first=Gaby |date=April 28, 2024 |title=The Far Right's Campaign to Explode the Population |url=https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2024/04/28/natalism-conference-austin-00150338 |access-date=May 1, 2024 |work=Politico}} They have "scoffed at the idea that they were eugenicists" and have strongly disavowed any form of racism.
=Political views and involvement=
{{Further|2024 Pennsylvania House of Representatives election}}
Simone ran as a Republican for the 150th District in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives elections in 2024, losing by 17.5%.{{Cite news |title=This controversial Montco couple wants to repopulate the earth — and get elected to the Pa. House |url=https://www.inquirer.com/politics/pennsylvania/simone-malcolm-collins-pronatalism-montgomery-county-pennsylvania-20240618.html |last=Schneider |first=Aliya |date=June 18, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240618093630/https://www.inquirer.com/politics/pennsylvania/simone-malcolm-collins-pronatalism-montgomery-county-pennsylvania-20240618.html |archive-date=June 18, 2024 |access-date=September 1, 2024 |url-status=live |work=The Philadelphia Inquirer |url-access=subscription}}{{cite news |title=Election Results: State Rep. Joe Webster Defeats Simone Collins In 150th |url=https://patch.com/pennsylvania/lowerprovidence/state-rep-150th-district-results-joe-webster-vs-simone-collins |access-date=November 14, 2024 |publisher=Patch.com |date=November 6, 2024 |location=Lower Providence, PA}}
The Collinses do not support transgender health care for youth, but express acceptance for people whom Simone described as "legit trans" as opposed to those who fall into the "trans cult." Simone opposes allowing transgender students to use bathrooms corresponding to their gender identity and to play on sports teams matching their gender identity.
Personal lives
Malcolm is the great-grandson of Carr Collins Sr., founder of the Fidelity Union Life Insurance Company, and grandson of James M. Collins, a Dallas, Texas businessman and politician.{{cite web |last1=Hunter |first1=Glenn |title=Why Many Entrepreneurs Are Turning to a 'Search-Fund' Model |date=January 9, 2017 |url=https://www.dmagazine.com/publications/d-ceo/2017/january-february/why-many-entrepreneurs-are-turning-to-a-search-fund-model/ |access-date=May 26, 2024}} In 1997, Malcolm's parents undertook a contentious divorce and custody dispute; the proceedings were characterized by one judge as "extensive, bitter and long-lasting".{{cite web |title=In re Collins, Case No. 01-30320-SAF-7, Adversary No. 02-3113 {{!}} Casetext Search + Citator |url=https://casetext.com/case/in-re-collins-55 |website=casetext.com |access-date=May 26, 2024}} During the divorce, Malcolm was ordered to live at a private boarding school funded by a family trust. The divorce was finalized in 2001. It was discovered in 2021, upon the death of James Collins's wife Dorothy Dann Collins Torbert, that some $29 million had been embezzled from the family trust fund by Barbara Chalmers, the family bookkeeper.{{Cite web |last=Mekelburg |first=Madlin |date=December 30, 2022 |title=Prominent Texas Family Has $29 Million Embezzled by Bookkeeper |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-12-30/prominent-texas-family-has-29-million-embezzled-by-bookkeeper |access-date=June 1, 2024 |publisher=Bloomberg News}}{{Cite web |last=Staff |date=December 30, 2022 |title=Lewisville woman pleads guilty to embezzling $29 million from Collins family businesses |url=https://www.dallasnews.com/business/2022/12/30/lewisville-woman-pleads-guilty-to-embezzling-29-million-from-collins-family-businesses/ |access-date=June 1, 2024 |website=Dallas News |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Farris |first=Bella |date=January 3, 2023 |title=Millions Embezzled from Dallas Family |url=https://dallasexpress.com/crime/millions-embezzled-from-dallas-family/ |access-date=June 1, 2024 |website=Dallas Express}} Reflecting on his childhood, Malcolm noted that he has "no beef with my parents. My childhood was hard, but my adulthood has been easy. Can I say a parent did a bad job if I’m happy with my life today? I don’t think so."
Simone was born in Japan{{cite web |date=April 27, 2012 |title=Meet the Staff! An Interview with Simone Smith |url=https://blog.hubpages.cmo/2012/04/27/meet-simone-smith/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240531173350/https://web.archive.org/web/20150915023454/http://blog.hubpages.com/2012/04/27/meet-simone-smith/ |archive-date=May 31, 2024 |website=HubPages Blog |language=en}} as a self-described "mistake baby" and the only child to a failed polyamorous marriage. At some point in her life, Simone experienced eating disorders that gave her fertility issues.
=Marriage and children=
The Collinses married after Malcolm proposed on Reddit in 2013.{{Cite web |last=Cole |first=Samantha |date=April 19, 2023 |title=The 'Elite' Breeding Couple Are Terminally Online Redditors Who've Gone Viral Before |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/the-elite-breeding-couple-are-terminally-online-redditors-whove-gone-viral-before/ |access-date=April 29, 2024 |website=Vice |language=en}}
The Collinses have stated that they plan to have seven to thirteen children total.{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ubqHOPW4l8o |title=Breeder Is Going To KEEP Having Children Until Her 'Uterus Is Removed' |date=May 4, 2023 |last=Morgan |first=Piers |author-link=Piers Morgan |type=Video |access-date=April 29, 2024 |via=youtube.com}} As of 2024, they have four children. The Collinses refuse to give their daughters traditionally feminine names, because they believe social research shows that women with feminine names are taken less seriously. Beginning with their third child, the Collinses have used preimplantation genetic testing during in vitro fertilisation to select embryos with a desirable genetic makeup. The Collinses claim that every decision they make is backed by data. The Collinses also employ corporal punishment in disciplining their children, which is based on Simone's personal observation of lions and tigers during a safari trip, despite clinical consensus that it impairs childhood development.{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/article/2024/may/25/american-pronatalists-malcolm-and-simone-collins |title=America's premier pronatalists on having 'tons of kids' to save the world: 'There are going to be countries of old people starving to death' |date=May 25, 2024 |work=The Guardian |first=Jenny |last=Kleeman}}{{cite web |title=Jordan Peterson Vs Us Parenting Strategies | website=YouTube |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z_Xm4UQ5-ZY |location=19:50 |date=September 22, 2023}}{{cite journal |last1=Durrant |first1=Joan |last2=Ensom |first2=Ron |date=4 September 2012 |title=Physical punishment of children: lessons from 20 years of research |journal=Canadian Medical Association Journal |volume=184 |issue=12 |pages=1373–1377 |doi=10.1503/cmaj.101314 |pmid=22311946 |pmc=3447048}}
=Religious beliefs=
In 2024, the Collinses stated they were atheists, although at the time they were already promulgating a theological worldview they called "Techno-Puritanism" which they described as an "intentionally constructed religion, technically atheist". However, by 2025, they stated that, "the belief that God is a real entity that actually exists at a different point in time ... is just so core to our worldview".{{Cite web |last=Collins |first=Malcolm |date=May 2, 2025 |title=The Question that Breaks Judaism (Tract 10) |url=https://substack.com/@basedcamppodcast/p-162695361 |access-date=2025-05-09 |website=substack.com |language=en}} They base Techno-Puritanism on the book The Martyrdom of Man by William Winwood Reade as well as the Bible; they consider both of these works divinely inspired scripture.{{Cite web |last=Based Camp |date=June 14, 2024 |title=Tract 6: Why we believe in a TechnoPuritan God |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i75CrJAHtpY |access-date=June 24, 2024 |website=YouTube |type=Video}}
References
{{Reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Collins, Simone and Malcolm}}
Category:21st-century American people
Category:Corporal punishments in the United States
Category:Businesspeople from Dallas
Category:Politicians from Montgomery County, Pennsylvania
Category:In vitro fertilisation
Category:American expatriates in Japan