Beachcombing

Earth’s population statistics in perspective, thanks to my friend Tom in Pennsylvania.

The population of Earth is around 7.8 billion. For most people, it is a significant figure. However, if you condensed 7.8 billion into 100 persons, and then into various percentage statistics, the resulting analysis is relatively much easier to comprehend. Out of 100:

• 11 are in Europe, 5 are in North America, 9 are in South America, 15 are in Africa, 60 are in Asia
• 49 live in the countryside, 51 live in a city
• 75 have mobile phones, 25 do not
• 30 have internet access, 70 do not have the availability to go online
• 83 can read, 17 are illiterate
• 33 are Christians, 22 are Muslims, 14 are Hindus, 7 are Buddhists, 12 are other religions, 12 have no religious beliefs
• 26 live less than 14 years, 66 died between 15 - 64 years of age, 8 are over 65 years old

If you have your own home, eat full meals and drink clean water, have a mobile phone, can surf the internet, and have gone to college, you are in the minuscule privileged lot (in the less than 7% category).

Among 100 persons in the world, only eight live to or exceed the age of 65. If you are over 65 years old, be content and grateful, cherish life and grasp the moment.

If you did not leave this world before the age of 64, like the 92 persons who have gone before, you are already the blessed among humankind.

Take good care of your health and cherish every remaining moment.

Funny Stuff

Bob walked into a sports bar around 5:58 p.m. He sat down next to a very attractive blonde at the bar and stared up at the TV. The 6 p.m. news was coming on. The news crew was covering the story of a man on the ledge of a large building preparing to jump.

The blonde looked at Bob and said, “Do you think he’ll jump?”

Bob said, “You know, I reckon he’ll jump.”

The blonde replied, “Well, I bet he won’t.”

Bob placed a $20 bill on the bar and said, “You’re on!”

The blonde placed her money on the bar and kept watching the scene on the TV. The guy on the ledge did a swan dive off the building, falling to his death. The blonde was very upset, but willingly handed her $20 to Bob. “Fair’s fair. Here’s your money.”

Bob replied, “I can’t take your money. I saw this earlier on the 5 p.m. news, so I knew he would jump.”

The blonde replied, “I did too, but I didn’t think he’d do it again.”

Bob took the money

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