Eric G Hurley wrote:
> Just to add to the population limits discussion I did some calculations
> considering the limits to our growth based on the simple assumption that
> mass cannot be created or destroyed.
>
> Assuming a current world human population of 6 billion and a doubling rate
> of every 30 years. And assuming that the average human weight is 50 kg.
> (110 lbs).
>
> By the year 3350, far less time than the between the time of Christ and
> now, a mere 54 generations away, the mass of humanity will exceed the mass
> of the earth (6 X 10^24 kg).
>
> In another 540 years or 22 more generations, by the year 3890 the mass of
> humanity will exceed the mass of the sun (2 X 10^30 kg).
>
> For a total freak out consider that just 163 generations or 4,080 years
> from now, in the year 6080, the mass of humanity would
> exceed the mass of the known universe (2.5 X 10^52 kg), that is the mass
> of all the stars in all the GALAXIES that astronomers are aware of.
>
> I suspect our population growth will be somewhat limited before we reach
> this point. We will choose how painful it will be.
>
> Eric G. Hurley
> Iowa State University
> Ames IA 50011
>
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1/64 full
> 11:55 am 1/32 full
> 11:56 am 1/16 full
> 11:57 am 1/8 full
> 11:58 am 1/4 full
> 11:59 am 1/2 full
> 12:00 noon full
>
> Suppose that at 11:58 a.m. some far sighted bacteria realize that they are
> running out of space and consequently, with a great expenditure effort and
> funds, they launch a search for new bottles. (Snip time dated material)
> and at 11:59 a.m. they discover three new empty bottles. Great sighs of
> relief come from all the worried bacteria, because this magnificent
> discovery is three times the number of bottles that had hitherto been
> known. This discovery quadruples the total space resource known to the
> bacteria. Surely this will solve the problem so that the bacteria can be
> self-sufficient in space.
>
> 3. How long can the bacterial growth continue if the total space resources
> are quadrupled? Answer: Two more doubling times (minutes). See below.
>
> 11:58 am Bottle 1 is 1/4 full
> 11:59 am Bottle 1 is 1/2 full
> 12:00 noon Bottle 1 is full
> 12:01 pm Bottle 1 and 2 are both full
> 12:02 pm Bottles 1,2,3,4 are all full
>
> Well there it is. Sorry it is so long but it illustrates an imporatant
> point about our ability to preceive a problem with something in exponential
> growth and still have time to do something about it. After pondering this
> one maybe Prozac is more in order than coffee :>) Mike Miller
>
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