Estimated World Population to Pass 6,666,666,666 Today

suso writes ""The estimated population of the world will pass 6,666,666,666 today. No doubt an interesting number for people everywhere (not referring to any religion connotations). 5,555,555,555 was passed about 14 years ago. You may not realize that only 80 years ago, the population of the Earth was only around 2 billion. This shows how the population of the world has increased at an alarming rate in recent times, although the growth rate is almost half what it was at its peak in 1963, when it was 2.2%. Unrelated but also an interesting coincidence, the estimated number of available IPv4 addresses is getting very close to 666,666,666. It should cross over today as well.""

Comments

An update

[suso]

The two counters just crossed over each other about 10 minutes ago (2:42:36pm EDT). I estimate that the population counter will reach 6 repeating at approximately 11:30pm EDT.

Re:Satanic

[joe 155]

Not to be pedantic, but the number of the beast is actually 616... they have a wikipedia article about it here; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Number_of_the_Beast

Re:Population Control & Modern Views

[gnuman99]

They kill newborns and have sex selection abortions in China and India. Especially girls are affected since they can't "work as hard". So, now they have a few million males that will never be able to marry. Kind of a problem, I'd say.

Licensing would only work if there were consequences, like putting children up for adoptions and sterilization. But that would not fly, even in countries like China. It would definitely not fly here in western nations because both religious sects and politicians want more, MORE people. Reasons are similar, more people => more money from taxes and "donations". There is no regard for long term sustainability.

And sadly, there is very little public forum for this. We, as a population, are not evolved enough to think rationally about real world issues. The only discussion about facts like overpopulation and global warming is emotional tantrums in spite of reality.

Re:Someone care to estmate

[syrinx]

Europe yes, US no. Last I checked, US birth rate was barely at "replacement level" (~2.1 babies/woman), Western Europe as a whole was slightly below, with variation between countries (some countries were well below, others at or slightly above). So without immigration, the US would basically remain at the same population, and Western Europe would slowly start declining. As it is, population is growing in both locations.

And I think I see the problem

[Drakin020]

And here I just read a story today that some lady is having her 18th baby.

http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D90I4TN00&show_article=1&catnum=0

Yes this is really helping things out....

Re:How do they know? What about Burma?

[Knuckles]

Japan must import about 50% of its requirements of grain and fodder crops other than rice, and it relies on imports for most of its supply of meat. In fishing, Japan is ranked second in the world behind China in tonnage of fish caught. Japan maintains one of the world's largest fishing fleets and accounts for nearly 15% of the global catch. Japan relies on foreign countries for almost all oil and food. -- Wikipedia

Re:How do they know? What about Burma?

[Devout_IPUite]

The bees are being ripped apart from the inside by enzymes bred into GMO crops so that someone can protect their 'intellectual property' last I heard.

Re:How do they know? What about Burma?

[lgw]

The total land area used for farming in America has decreased significantly over the past 50 years, and the total land area covered by forests has increased significantly as a result. Crop yields per acre are ridiculously high these days. The pollution created by agriculture is a potential concern if we needed more food, but the land area just isn't.

Re:huh, I don't get it

[fr4nk]

After the three people left, there are -1 people in the building. Add one and you've got 0, no-one.