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Arithmetic, Population and Energy with Albert Bartlett
27.01.09
On YouTube, this video is posted under it's own name, and one that fits it very well, "The most important video you will ever see..." which in all honesty, is probably closer to the truth than it's original title of Arithmetic, Population and Energy.
Actually a lecture given by Professor Albert Bartlett at the University of Colorado, this very unasuming man forwards his central theory, "The greatest shortcoming of the human race is our inability to understand the exponential function."
While in itself (particularly if you make it through the first 10 minutes) it does not sound like the basis of a life changing lecture... but there is where you would have just made your first mistake...
Arguing that "sustainable development" is an oxymornon, he goes on to prove in a devistating lecture just what the mathematics behind small continual grown can and does create devistating results in very short periods of time.
In the process, using very simple mathematic formula, he demonstrates both the effect on the world's population and energy consumption with very small growth rates. He follows that by going on to prove either deliberate misuse of statistics by media and politicians, or that half of these same people really have no clue what they are talking about.
It may take the first 10 minutes before it catches you cold, but it will, trust us. Check it out, as the YouTube title states, it is in fact probably "The most important video you will ever see..."
Video is in one of eight parts. Do yourself a favour and whatch the whole eight!
