These words maybe easy to say, and within our mathematical calculations but I can freely say that they carry no meaning. The invariably accompaniment of the outward rolling of the hands, suggest that tales of "billions and billions" of years are nothing more than arm-waving, perhaps capable of impressing or intimating, but not of communicating understandable information.
2007-04-28 23:14:17 · 7 answers · asked by periclesundag 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
A billion is easier for me to comprehend when referring to money since it's something material that can be laid out in front of you. Or, I can understand it if I saw a pile of a billion jellybeans or pebbles. I could actually see how large that pile is. It's nearly impossible for me to use it when referring to time since I'd have to use my imagination for that.
2007-04-28 23:24:53 · answer #1 · answered by Pico 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Here is a good example of one person who apparently couldn't! They were talking on television about the sun going out, and saying that within one billion years the earth would average 160 degrees during the day. One idiot stated that if our society hasn't changed by then, we will have to find a way to live under ground.
2007-04-28 23:27:14 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
time is an illusion with purpose. -Edgar Cayce
felt like a good quote at the time. lol. but no, we can't effectively. percieve the amount of time it would take for that to pass. it's easier just to say "a long time".
however we could measure it out in human lifetimes which is something we can relate to. 1 billion/86=11627906 human lifetimes.
even with that. i don't think anyone can really grasp a perception of how large that would be due to the unbelievably large number of lifetimes. so, again, not really.
2007-04-28 23:24:24 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I admit that I can't directly comprehend that type of span but that doesn't mean that people can't understand the math involved. I can't imagine all the grains of sand on a beach or all the cells of my body but that doesn't mean that an approximation of the number is meaningless. It just doesn't matter to me personally.
2007-04-28 23:21:39 · answer #4 · answered by Kuji 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Then consider infinity. I have a hard time grasping large numbers too, because my brain isn't built big enough. It would seem impossible for such a brain to form such a thought on it's own. It is more likely that I heard it from someone, who heard it from someone...back to it's infinite origen...God.
2007-04-29 00:32:57 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
To grasp an idea of what a billion represents, a billion seconds ago it was 1959.....
2007-04-28 23:32:06 · answer #6 · answered by afewideas 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That's really deep, man....nah, just kidding.
2007-04-28 23:17:52 · answer #7 · answered by Desiree 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋