FINAL THOUGHTS

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     This page is devoted to important issues that have occurred post the ending of the Death Education Class.

You have a jar that has 1 bacterium in it. It reproduces by splitting into 2 every minute.
The jar is of a size so that the growth of bacteria will fill the jar 1/4 (25%) in 58 minutes.
At that point ¾ of the jar would be unfilled and there is plenty of room. Few bacteria would be concerned about the future.
How much of the jar would be filled in another minute (59 minutes total)? (Answer No. 1 below.)
Even though there is 1 minute to go many do not yet see the looming threat because there is still 50% of the jar left.
Some far-sighted bacteria will become alarmed at this point. Some suggest that the bacteria should immediately explore
for another jar and move ½ of the present population to it as a solution to the crisis. How long would it take to fill both jars? (Ans. No. 2 below)

Ans 1:: 1/2 full; Ans 2: 61 minutes

What are other possible solutions?

The growth of any species generally follows a pattern that is demonstrated by this graph:

The history of the earth is shown by the following time line:

Looking at the above time line of the earth puts humans on the planet for a mere 2 1/2 million years. That is 0.6% of the earth's history.

Dinosaurs were on the earth 10 times longer.

Human beings have been on the earth for about 3 million years. From the beginning to the year 1804 AD we have reached a population of about 1 billion. That took about 2,700,000 years. From 1804 to 1927 the population reached 2 billion. That was 123 years. From 1927 to 1960 we reached 3 billion. In 1975 we reached 4 billion. In 1986 it was 5 billion. In 1999 it was 6 billion. In April 2019 we reached 7.7 billion. By the best estimates the maximum population the earth is able to sustain is 8-9 billion. At that point world food production may not be enough to allow continued growth. At that point the production of waste may be so great we will not be able to avoid poisoning the planet. At that point, there may so many souls on board a new contagious disease will spread like a wildfire. At that point we may be so sick and tired of our fellow man we will discontinue aid and comfort. That point of the Stationary Phase is predicted to br August 13, 2029.

As we approach the Stationary Phase the number of additional humans will decline each year until Zero Population Growth (ZPG) is reached. For every birth there will be a death.

     Supposedly, some time ago an experiment on population growth took place starting with 2 mice. The idea was to provide an environment that was free of outside population control factors such as disease, pollution, and famine. In other words, no matter what the mouse population reached in the laboratory area, they were never allowed to run out of food, and the sterile environment prevented disease. When the mice finally reached the end of their Exponential Phase the population controlling factors became cannibalism, impotence, and homosexuality.

     Humans are predicted by mathematical calculation to enter the Stationary Phase on August 13, 2029. That will last for some years and then the Death Phase will follow. The Death Phase is also exponential. There are real factors that will prevent further human population growth. Enter the Four Horseman of the Apocalypse: The Red Horse of war, the White Horse of conquest, the Black Horse of famine, and the Pale Horse of famine and death.

     The Red Horse (War): Pick up any news source and you will witness an increase in wars from Afghanistan to Libya to the killing of Syrians by their leaders. Many countries are run by psychopaths. As the population increases the number of psychopaths, not the percentage, increases. They make dynamic leaders because they are able to control people due to the lack of a conscience and their ability to fabricate and lie. As overcrowding occurs invading and killing others that have better living conditions is seen as justifiable. Taking down the World Trade Centers is one example. Even small wars such as robbing and shooting a gas station attendant are becoming more common.

     The White Horse(Conquest): The White Horse is the most devious of all. Most of those that know of the Four Horseman from Revelations are unable to define what this horse is all about. The White Horse represents the lack of concern or regard for others. Selfishness, greed, "do as I please" will be the norm. Religion will be cast aside because it is too much of a bother and is practiced by only a few. Grab what you want for yourself. Cut into the Bronx Whitestone Bridge line from the adjacent lane. Steal from your business. Dump a retiree's bank account into yours. Sell Crack to a school kid. Go ahead and ride like hell on the White Horse.

     The Black Horse (Famine): A no-brainer. Too many people and we run short of food. We have over fished and have been a major part of species' extinction. There are many people in 2011 that starve to death or are malnourished. At one time scientists and farmers were able to barely keep food production high enough to meet the demands of the increasing population. That is no longer true.

     The Pale Horse (Disease & Death): If an unknown disease such as AIDS occurred in Africa, and there were 17 people spread across the earth, the chances of it spreading and killing would be remote. Load up the planet with people everywhere and that "unknown" disease will spread like wildfire because it is so easy to hop from one to another. New diseases, resistant-to-drugs diseases, impossible-to-cure diseases will become common place.

TOO MANY PEOPLE

January 2011: Justin Nobel wrote the following for funeralwise.com:

A speech to the 1994 Graduates of New Paltz High School:

     We need happiness. Too much stress is being created by too many people. Dopamine, serotonin, oxytocin, and endorphins are brain hormones that are responsible for happiness. Stress and pain increase the release of endorphins and they act on the opiate brain receptors, like codeine and morphine, to reduce pain and cause a positive body feeling and euphoria. Also, dopamine release is increased by endorphins. There are many factors that will result in an increase a brain endorphin release: Exercise such as walking and running for no less than 20 to 30 minutes, laughing, music, group fitness, sex, meditation, and eating are examples. There are foods that do the same such as chocolate, strawberries, animal proteins, oranges, spicy foods, grapes, nuts and seeds, Ginseng, hot peppers, caffeine, and vanilla scent. The 20-30 minute run is what creates the "Runner's High" that results in a 2-3 hour energy boost. Drug addiction turns on endorphins but it is person-specific. That is a serious downside. If there is an excess of endorphins, too much for too log, the addict can get on edge, trigger fight or flight because the mind assumes pain is coming. The happiness is gone.

     Dopamine is considered to be a pleasure and alertness hormone. It is a neurotransmitter that helps control the brain's pleasure centers. It looks to the future and helps one to achieve goals and rewards by providing directions to them. Dopamine drives us toward pleasurable goals. A pleasurable experience increases its release. It also plays a role in preventing depression. Some addictive drugs release dopamine but over time the release lessens causing the addict to increase the dosage to get the same rush. Low dopamine levels result in risk-taking, sensation-seeking, addiction, ADHD, Bi-Polar disorders and Schizophrenia. Excess levels leads to a higher metabolic rate, sleep disorders, metabolism of food (thinness), anxiety, and nervousness.

     Serotonin is also a neurotransmitter. It plays a role in processing emotions. A serotonin shortage may lead to depression, low energy, negative thoughts, tenseness, irritability, craving sweets, reduced sexual interest, anxiety, eating disorders, chronic pain, and obsessive thoughts.

     Calvin Havnaer contributed the following information: There is a difference between Dopamine and Serotonin. Dopamine stimulates pleasure. Serotonin stimulates Happiness. Dopamine is short term and has 5 receptors in the brain. It is felt in the body and results in hedonism. The brain says, This feels good, I want more." Too much Dopamine leads to addiction. On the other hand, Serotonin has at least 14 brain receptors so the happiness is felt in the head and is long term. Unlike self-centeredness, Serotonin inspires giving and sharing. It is not addictive and makes the brain say. "This feels good, and its enough."

     Opoid peptides are endogenous neuro-transmitters that act on opiate receptors in the brain and spinal cord. They naturally reduce the perception of pain. Opiates, such as morpohine, codein, hydrocodone, oxycodone, heroin, and fentanyl act on those same receptors. They bind to the receptors and block pain and produce feelings of well-being and euphoria. Addiction is a very real threat.

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