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We've had a couple of questions regarding,
To be fair, we greatly simplified some of the conclusions and discussion in the original report: "Bayesian meta-analysis of incipient population pressures on the availability of souls", by D.S. Nanda et al.
The main conclusion is that the median recycling period, as measured from death to rebirth, has become increasingly rapid-- down from a historical average of approximately 191.4 yrs to only 7.3 months today, as the ratio of living beings to eternal souls has increased. It is expected that by the year 2045, demand will reach a critical threshold, and all existing souls will be simultaneously incarnate.
One of the most interesting sections of the paper discusses that the impending shortage of souls may not directly be due to the increase in the number of living human beings. Rather human population increases have led to the degradation of ecosystems worldwide; in turn, this leads to a smaller population of large animals of all kinds (the extinction of large species of mammals; the loss of fully mature fish stock). Yet the overall biomass of animal populations is remaining constant, or perhaps increasing: there has been a dramatic increase in the number of small animals. In short, though the overall number of eternal souls remains constant, the number of living animals of all kinds is increasing dramatically, a most frightening development.
Another section of the paper discusses the implications of a post-soul era.
Will some children be born without souls? Will a soul-less child behave outwardly the same as a child that does possess a soul?
In fact, it is not clear that there is any test to discern whether a child does or does not have a soul-- not even the child will know. Some researchers believe that the shortage of souls is already upon us, and that many of us, me, you, all of us perhaps, are soul-less zombies.
Interesting interesting.
If one doesn't believe in reincarnation, that would imply that souls are being created. Since demand remains essentially constant with an increase in supply, that leads to a devaluation in souls. I wouldn't be surprised the bottom drops out of the soul market in the next century or so.
Not necessarily. Since demand will always equal supply, and vise versa, and that there is no used soul market (very similar to the diamond market) the value of a soul should only fluctuate with inflation.
That was the the train of thought put forward in the Diamond Sutra. Later evolutions of the religion have dismissed this sutra for reasons that I don't remember.
I believe that this was the subject of the Demi Moore movie "The Seventh Seal." The Jewish philosophy has the same caveat about running out of souls. I think she winds up saving the planet by praying to God to generate more souls.
Bloody religious people.
Did you know there are more people alive today than have ever died?
(don't ask me how they define what and when is human in evolution so they can quantify the dead because I don't know)
Ha. I used that bit of trivia on a co-worker awhile back, MrFingers. Ever want to watch somebody's brain explode, mention that. Or direct them to the discussion of color on these boards.
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