Years ago, I pondered a seemingly absurd question : if I spit excessively, could I become dehydrated? My logic was simple: eventually, I would run out of fluids to create. It sparked quite a bit of laughter among friends. However, there exists an online forum that takes such inquiries seriously— Reddit , specifically a niche corner known as “they did the math.” Here, people tackle bizarre questions with genuine mathematical rigor, and one such question spiraled into the concept of creating a massive meatball using all human flesh.
With a global population of approximately 8.2 billion , visualizing such an immense number is no easy feat. Some argue that our actual numbers may range anywhere between 1 billion to 3 billion lower than the reported figure. You can view this staggering count in real-time through this authoritative source: Worldometer. Although it’s dizzying and captivating, the question remains: what does it really mean to have over 8 billion humans on Earth?
To provide some context about the Asian population , graphic illustrations and maps try to give perspective. Nevertheless, it’s still challenging to fully comprehend what it would mean to gather more than 8 billion souls in a single place. A subreddit, ” they did the math ,” is filled with users who pose ludicrous questions and dissect them with mathematical precision, making complex inquiries easier to grasp.
The Great Human Meatball
Now, let’s dive into the peculiar concept of the ” great human meatball .” A user named Kiwi2703 initiated a heated discussion, sharing simulations that calculated the composition of 7.88 billion people at the time. The average weight was estimated to be 62 kg (or about 137 lbs ) with a density of 985 kg/m³ .
The calculations illustrated that blending all this together would yield a spherical mass with a diameter of just under one kilometer . To put it in perspective, Kiwi2703 even produced a diagram showing that this massive meatball would tower over New York’s skyscrapers while still fitting comfortably within Central Park .
With the population now exceeding 8.2 billion , one could imagine the meatball becoming slightly larger since we’re on track to reach 10 billion by the end of this century. It’s fascinating to think about how little space we occupy on this vast planet—even when pressed into a compact ball!
Such absurd queries about our existence serve as reminders that asking the ridiculous can often lead to surprisingly fascinating answers. For instance, some online explorations ponder whether a rocket could be propelled into orbit using candies mixed with Coca-Cola . Surprisingly, scientific analysis indicates that it’s not feasible, as the energy needed for liftoff cannot be generated from such a concoction.
Similarly, one Reddit user constructed a portable air conditioning system and posed a question about its operational duration. Users then calculated potential operating time based on its setup. Additionally, there are plenty of real-world absurd questions that encourage utilitarian thinking, like determining the weight of a giant tungsten cube next to a person. Discussions reveal techniques for harnessing scientific knowledge in everyday inquiries.
Ultimately, the mathematical realization that humanity could form a massive meatball is a fun conversation starter. While it may not have practical implications, having such topics up your sleeve can serve as excellent fodder for breaking any awkward silences. As I leave this curious train of thought, I might check if anyone has made further inquiries about my initial spitting conundrum on Reddit.
Image | Reddit (Kiwi2703)
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