[extra credit] D) Science & Futurism with Isaac Arthur (Can we have a Trillion People on Earth?)

 1) What was surprising or interesting in the video? 

1 trillion is 100 times the current population and about 10 times the total number of people who have ever existed in human history. Earth's surface area is approximately 500 million square kilometers or 200 million square miles, with about a quarter of that being land. If we were to pave every area from the deepest oceans to frozen tundras, assuming a total population of 1 trillion, the population density would be only 2,000 people per square kilometer or 5,000 people per square mile. While not a small number, this is lower than the density of even the most densely populated cities in the world. If people were to live only on land excluding the sea and without multi-story buildings, each individual or average family could secure a spacious area of 1,400 square feet per person. As a child, the population of China felt truly overwhelming. The legend of the "human wave" conjured images of endless waves of zombies. However, theoretically, even if 1 trillion people, encompassing all historical humanity, were to live on Earth as described in the video, everyone could have a very spacious living environment. It's astonishing to think how much space is effectively wasted by the dense clusters of apartments and houses in cities.

2) What is the main topic of the video, and what do you think about it?

This video discusses the possibility of supporting a population of 1 trillion people on Earth and the necessary technologies for achieving this. Population growth could vary depending on efficient management of Earth's resources and energy. Technological advancements such as solar energy, nuclear fusion, and other renewable energy sources play crucial roles. Additionally, factors like biological immortality or relaxation of birth restrictions could significantly impact population growth rates. All these technologies and changes could open up possibilities for supporting a population of 1 trillion in the future, but their social and environmental impacts must also be carefully considered.

3) How does the topic of this video tie to what we have been discussing in class?

This video discusses population growth and economic issues. It focuses on how much resources and energy the global population needs, discussing various theories related to population growth from the past to the present. The main argument is that if the Earth can support a much larger population than it currently does, securing resources and energy is more important than space. Through this, it explores the technological possibilities of how efficiently humans can consume resources. Issues such as food, raw materials, energy, and ecosystem management are inseparable from population growth considerations. Technological advancements in renewable energy, nuclear fusion, and innovative agricultural technologies are expected to help address the challenges posed by population growth. However, resources remain finite, and the exacerbation of social and economic inequalities caused by population growth must be carefully considered. In the mid-20th century, China introduced the one-child policy to address job and resource shortages caused by population growth, aiming to slow down population growth and promote economic development.

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