Except for a very select few, most people's memories are only carried on for the long term by their children, and then their children's children.
It can't be a pleasant thought for the elderly when it dawns on them that before long nobody will really remember them or even look at their photographs
As a 44 year old single, childless man, such thoughts have crossed my mind. You, and others who have posted similar on this thread aren't telling me anything I don't already know. My old age may well be lonely--Perhaps even bleak. But for reasons I won't go into here, I've concluded that I wouldn't be a good husband or father, and that it's better for all concerned that I not marry or produce children. I've made my decision, and I'll live with whatever consequnces flow from it.
I do have neices and nephews that I'm crazy about, and try to spend as much time with as possible. Perhaps they'll have a kind memory of me when I'm gone.
Thanks for the thoughtful post (#508) you made.
Unfortunately, for the stake-carriers that are all-too-common on this (and similar) threads, I'm sure that your reasoning is not enough. Damn it, man! Don't you understand, you must reproduce! No excuses. Carry on.