Archive of UserLand's first discussion group, started October 5, 1998.

Re: Bookmarks and Doomsday

Author:Dennis Peterson
Posted:8/15/2000; 1:04:12 PM
Topic:scriptingNews outline for 8/13/2000
Msg #:19731 (In response to 19730)
Prev/Next:19730 / 19732

A little known fact: there are about the same number of people alive as dead.

Reminds me of the doomsday argument. Simplistic summary: Consider two alternatives--either humanity dies in the next century, or goes on to colonize the galaxy reaching a total population of trillions. If the second option occurs, chances are overwhelming that you will be born during the colonizing-the-galaxy phase. If the first option occurs, chances are large (50% by your figures) that you will be born during the near-end-of-species phase. Since we do not observe a population of trillions, we are probably nearing the end of our species. In which case, your argument about taking new users into consideration is irrelevant...

Just a little something to brighten everyone's day!

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