“Insect biomass: Insects are incredibly numerous, with an estimated
10,000 trillion (10^19) insects on Earth. Their individual weights vary widely, but an average insect might weigh around 3 milligrams (0.003
grams). Multiplying this by the number of insects gives a global insect biomass of approximately 300 million metric tons (10^19 insects × 0.003 grams ≈ 3 × 10^14 grams = 300 million tons).”
xkcd: Biology Department
https://www.xkcd.com/3140/
Grok tells me that humans outmass insects on Earth by two times. I
don't believe it. I think that there are way more insects by mass than humans.
“Insect biomass: Insects are incredibly numerous, with an estimated
10,000 trillion (10^19) insects on Earth. Their individual weights vary widely, but an average insect might weigh around 3 milligrams (0.003
grams). Multiplying this by the number of insects gives a global insect biomass of approximately 300 million metric tons (10^19 insects × 0.003 grams ≈ 3 × 10^14 grams = 300 million tons).”
“Human biomass: The global human population is around 8 billion.
Assuming an average human weight of 70 kilograms (70,000 grams), the
total human biomass is about 560 million metric tons (8 billion × 70 kg
= 5.6 × 10^11 kg = 560 million tons).”
“Comparison: Insect biomass (300 million tons) is roughly half that of human biomass (560 million tons). So, the ratio of insect mass to human
mass is approximately 0.54:1.”
Explained at:
https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php/3140:_Biology_Department
Lynn
On 2025-09-12, Lynn McGuire <lynnmcguire5@gmail.com> wrote:
“Insect biomass: Insects are incredibly numerous, with an estimated
10,000 trillion (10^19) insects on Earth. Their individual weights vary
widely, but an average insect might weigh around 3 milligrams (0.003
grams). Multiplying this by the number of insects gives a global insect
biomass of approximately 300 million metric tons (10^19 insects × 0.003
grams ≈ 3 × 10^14 grams = 300 million tons).”
10^19 × 0.003 is 3 × 10^16.
On 9/12/25 14:14, Lynn McGuire wrote:
xkcd: Biology Department
https://www.xkcd.com/3140/
Grok tells me that humans outmass insects on Earth by two times. I
don't believe it. I think that there are way more insects by mass
than humans.
“Insect biomass: Insects are incredibly numerous, with an estimated
10,000 trillion (10^19) insects on Earth. Their individual weights
vary widely, but an average insect might weigh around 3 milligrams
(0.003 grams). Multiplying this by the number of insects gives a
global insect biomass of approximately 300 million metric tons (10^19
insects × 0.003 grams ≈ 3 × 10^14 grams = 300 million tons).”
“Human biomass: The global human population is around 8 billion.
Assuming an average human weight of 70 kilograms (70,000 grams), the
total human biomass is about 560 million metric tons (8 billion × 70
kg = 5.6 × 10^11 kg = 560 million tons).”
“Comparison: Insect biomass (300 million tons) is roughly half that of
human biomass (560 million tons). So, the ratio of insect mass to
human mass is approximately 0.54:1.”
Explained at:
https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php/3140:_Biology_Department >>
Lynn
Now figure in the mammals, fishes in the seas and don't neglect the arthopods and non-verterbral lives in the sea. Do it today while some
are still extant beause soon
enough global warming will make a nice fish and sea weed stew. With
chunks of seal,
dolphin and whales.
It won't be good for long though then we will have a killing stink.
bliss
On 9/12/2025 8:44 PM, Bobbie Sellers wrote:
On 9/12/25 14:14, Lynn McGuire wrote:
xkcd: Biology Department
https://www.xkcd.com/3140/
Grok tells me that humans outmass insects on Earth by two times. I
don't believe it. I think that there are way more insects by mass
than humans.
“Insect biomass: Insects are incredibly numerous, with an estimated
10,000 trillion (10^19) insects on Earth. Their individual weights
vary widely, but an average insect might weigh around 3 milligrams
(0.003 grams). Multiplying this by the number of insects gives a
global insect biomass of approximately 300 million metric tons (10^19
insects × 0.003 grams ≈ 3 × 10^14 grams = 300 million tons).”
“Human biomass: The global human population is around 8 billion.
Assuming an average human weight of 70 kilograms (70,000 grams), the
total human biomass is about 560 million metric tons (8 billion × 70
kg = 5.6 × 10^11 kg = 560 million tons).”
“Comparison: Insect biomass (300 million tons) is roughly half that
of human biomass (560 million tons). So, the ratio of insect mass to
human mass is approximately 0.54:1.”
Explained at:
https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php/3140:_Biology_Department >>>
Lynn
Now figure in the mammals, fishes in the seas and don't neglect
the arthopods and non-verterbral lives in the sea. Do it today while
some are still extant beause soon
enough global warming will make a nice fish and sea weed stew. With
chunks of seal,
dolphin and whales.
It won't be good for long though then we will have a killing stink.
bliss
Predictions are really hard, especially about the future.
Lynn
Grok tells me that humans outmass insects on Earth by two times. I
don't believe it. I think that there are way more insects by mass than >humans.
Grok really screwed up. 10,000 trillion is 10^16.
Lynn McGuire <lynnmcguire5@gmail.com> wrote:
Grok tells me that humans outmass insects on Earth by two times. I
don't believe it. I think that there are way more insects by mass than
humans.
Indeed. Ride a motorcycle in the summer and your mouth will soon fill up. --scott
On 9/13/2025 9:27 AM, Scott Dorsey wrote:
Lynn McGuire <lynnmcguire5@gmail.com> wrote:
Grok tells me that humans outmass insects on Earth by two times. I
don't believe it. I think that there are way more insects by mass than >>> humans.
Indeed. Ride a motorcycle in the summer and your mouth will soon fill
up.
--scott
Been there done that. Gnats form clouds on roads and taste horrible.
Lynn McGuire <lynnmcguire5@gmail.com> wrote:
Grok tells me that humans outmass insects on Earth by two times. I
don't believe it. I think that there are way more insects by mass than
humans.
Indeed. Ride a motorcycle in the summer and your mouth will soon fill up. --scott
On 9/13/2025 11:59 AM, Lynn McGuire wrote:
On 9/13/2025 9:27 AM, Scott Dorsey wrote:So don't wear a open face helmet.
Lynn McGuire <lynnmcguire5@gmail.com> wrote:
Grok tells me that humans outmass insects on Earth by two times. I
don't believe it. I think that there are way more insects by mass than >>>> humans.
Indeed. Ride a motorcycle in the summer and your mouth will soon
fill up.
--scott
Been there done that. Gnats form clouds on roads and taste horrible.
On 9/13/25 13:32, Dimensional Traveler wrote:
On 9/13/2025 11:59 AM, Lynn McGuire wrote:
On 9/13/2025 9:27 AM, Scott Dorsey wrote:So don't wear a open face helmet.
Lynn McGuire <lynnmcguire5@gmail.com> wrote:
Grok tells me that humans outmass insects on Earth by two times. I >>>>> don't believe it. I think that there are way more insects by mass
than
humans.
Indeed. Ride a motorcycle in the summer and your mouth will soon
fill up.
--scott
Been there done that. Gnats form clouds on roads and taste horrible.
So you agree with RFK Jr. as to enforcing natural selection?
I have worn Open Face helmet with high strength plastic face protectings, transparent, full and half face vizors. Not for the insects
but for other stuff like rain, sleet and snow. For hail I found a freeway overpass to shelter under. Also wore full coverage helmets but weight became an issue. Googles wouldn't fix over my glasses very well.
On 9/13/2025 3:20 PM, Bobbie Sellers wrote:
On 9/13/25 13:32, Dimensional Traveler wrote:
On 9/13/2025 11:59 AM, Lynn McGuire wrote:
On 9/13/2025 9:27 AM, Scott Dorsey wrote:So don't wear a open face helmet.
Lynn McGuire <lynnmcguire5@gmail.com> wrote:
Grok tells me that humans outmass insects on Earth by two times. I >>>>>> don't believe it. I think that there are way more insects by mass >>>>>> than
humans.
Indeed. Ride a motorcycle in the summer and your mouth will soon
fill up.
--scott
Been there done that. Gnats form clouds on roads and taste horrible. >>>>
So you agree with RFK Jr. as to enforcing natural selection?
No and I'm insulted.
I have worn Open Face helmet with high strength plastic faceI never had any problem wearing a full head-n-face helmet during my
protectings, transparent, full and half face vizors. Not for the insects
but for other stuff like rain, sleet and snow. For hail I found a
freeway
overpass to shelter under. Also wore full coverage helmets but weight
became an issue. Googles wouldn't fix over my glasses very well.
years as a rice-rocket jockey.
On 9/12/2025 11:38 PM, Lynn McGuire wrote:
Grok really screwed up. 10,000 trillion is 10^16.
Grok? I would urge you to instead use a trustworthy AI, but that's an >oxymoron.
On 9/13/2025 10:34 PM, Bobbie Sellers wrote:
On 9/13/25 18:08, Dimensional Traveler wrote:
On 9/13/2025 3:20 PM, Bobbie Sellers wrote:Good for you. Holding up my head is tiring these days. I went
On 9/13/25 13:32, Dimensional Traveler wrote:
On 9/13/2025 11:59 AM, Lynn McGuire wrote:
On 9/13/2025 9:27 AM, Scott Dorsey wrote:So don't wear a open face helmet.
Lynn McGuire <lynnmcguire5@gmail.com> wrote:
Grok tells me that humans outmass insects on Earth by two times. I >>>>>>>> don't believe it. I think that there are way more insects by >>>>>>>> mass than
humans.
Indeed. Ride a motorcycle in the summer and your mouth will soon >>>>>>> fill up.
--scott
Been there done that. Gnats form clouds on roads and taste horrible. >>>>>>
So you agree with RFK Jr. as to enforcing natural selection?
No and I'm insulted.
I have worn Open Face helmet with high strength plastic face >>>> protectings, transparent, full and half face vizors. Not for theI never had any problem wearing a full head-n-face helmet during my
insects
but for other stuff like rain, sleet and snow. For hail I found a
freeway
overpass to shelter under. Also wore full coverage helmets but weight >>>> became an issue. Googles wouldn't fix over my glasses very well.
years as a rice-rocket jockey.
out for couple
of errands & walked no more than 6 blocks. I stayed up long enought
to fix a meal
caught up on computer correspondence then washed my dishes before
catching
about 80 winks. Then a friend called with a household electrical
problem. I got up
after that.
Waiting now for my supper to finish cooking.
Keep the rubber side down is the most important rule of motorvehicle
operation no matter how many wheels you have.
bliss
I would say yes but keeping those four and eighteen wheeled objects from hitting you on your motorcycle is equally important. Or, from turning
left in front of you and presenting their broad side to you on a two
lane road.
Lynn
On 9/13/2025 5:11 PM, Bobbie Sellers wrote:
On 9/13/25 07:27, Scott Dorsey wrote:
Lynn McGuire <lynnmcguire5@gmail.com> wrote:
Grok tells me that humans outmass insects on Earth by two times. I
don't believe it. I think that there are way more insects by mass than >>>> humans.
Indeed. Ride a motorcycle in the summer and your mouth will soon
fill up.
--scott
Indeed riding in Utah many years ago as I left the Idaho Naval
Nuclear site and even with a half visor I got smacked in my lips by a
heavy insect which died on contact.
But windshields and full helmet vizors can help with that problem.
bliss
I had a windshield on my last bike. It was hotter than all get out when
the radiator fan on my 2003 Honda Valkyrie kicked on.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_Valkyrie
I miss that bike some days. I was surprised that I never got a ticket
on it as I would pop it up to 120 mph some days.
Lynn
On 9/13/2025 3:32 PM, Dimensional Traveler wrote:
On 9/13/2025 11:59 AM, Lynn McGuire wrote:
On 9/13/2025 9:27 AM, Scott Dorsey wrote:So don't wear a open face helmet.
Lynn McGuire <lynnmcguire5@gmail.com> wrote:
Grok tells me that humans outmass insects on Earth by two times. I >>>>> don't believe it. I think that there are way more insects by mass
than
humans.
Indeed. Ride a motorcycle in the summer and your mouth will soon
fill up.
--scott
Been there done that. Gnats form clouds on roads and taste horrible.
Now you tell me. Where were you in the fall of 1979 ?
On 9/16/25 12:47, Lynn McGuire wrote:
On 9/13/2025 5:11 PM, Bobbie Sellers wrote:I had windsheilds on most of my motorcycles but with the R75/5 I had a fairing, American-made of handlaid fiberglass with a handy pocket on each side and frame mounted. Tried for the same on my Yamaha 550 V-Twin but
On 9/13/25 07:27, Scott Dorsey wrote:
Lynn McGuire <lynnmcguire5@gmail.com> wrote:
Grok tells me that humans outmass insects on Earth by two times. I >>>>> don't believe it. I think that there are way more insects by mass
than
humans.
Indeed. Ride a motorcycle in the summer and your mouth will soon
fill up.
--scott
Indeed riding in Utah many years ago as I left the Idaho Naval >>> Nuclear site and even with a half visor I got smacked in my lips by a
heavy insect which died on contact.
But windshields and full helmet vizors can help with that problem.
bliss
I had a windshield on my last bike. It was hotter than all get out
when the radiator fan on my 2003 Honda Valkyrie kicked on.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_Valkyrie
I miss that bike some days. I was surprised that I never got a ticket
on it as I would pop it up to 120 mph some days.
Lynn
the fairing and its windshield were not as durable as the one on the BMW.
On 9/13/2025 10:53 AM, Mark Jackson wrote:
On 9/12/2025 11:38 PM, Lynn McGuire wrote:
Grok really screwed up. 10,000 trillion is 10^16.
Grok? I would urge you to instead use a trustworthy AI, but that's an
oxymoron.
I would trust none of the AIs to write code for me. Especially in my
ongoing project to convert my 850,000 lines of F77 code to C++ code.
On 9/13/2025 3:32 PM, Dimensional Traveler wrote:
Been there done that. Gnats form clouds on roads and taste horrible.So don't wear a open face helmet.
Now you tell me. Where were you in the fall of 1979 ?
On 9/13/2025 10:34 PM, Bobbie Sellers wrote:
On 9/13/25 18:08, Dimensional Traveler wrote:
On 9/13/2025 3:20 PM, Bobbie Sellers wrote:Good for you. Holding up my head is tiring these days. I went
On 9/13/25 13:32, Dimensional Traveler wrote:
On 9/13/2025 11:59 AM, Lynn McGuire wrote:
On 9/13/2025 9:27 AM, Scott Dorsey wrote:So don't wear a open face helmet.
Lynn McGuire <lynnmcguire5@gmail.com> wrote:
Grok tells me that humans outmass insects on Earth by two times. I >>>>>>>> don't believe it. I think that there are way more insects by >>>>>>>> mass than
humans.
Indeed. Ride a motorcycle in the summer and your mouth will soon >>>>>>> fill up.
--scott
Been there done that. Gnats form clouds on roads and taste horrible. >>>>>>
So you agree with RFK Jr. as to enforcing natural selection?
No and I'm insulted.
I have worn Open Face helmet with high strength plastic face >>>> protectings, transparent, full and half face vizors. Not for theI never had any problem wearing a full head-n-face helmet during my
insects
but for other stuff like rain, sleet and snow. For hail I found a
freeway
overpass to shelter under. Also wore full coverage helmets but weight >>>> became an issue. Googles wouldn't fix over my glasses very well.
years as a rice-rocket jockey.
out for couple
of errands & walked no more than 6 blocks. I stayed up long enought
to fix a meal
caught up on computer correspondence then washed my dishes before
catching
about 80 winks. Then a friend called with a household electrical
problem. I got up
after that.
Waiting now for my supper to finish cooking.
Keep the rubber side down is the most important rule of motorvehicle
operation no matter how many wheels you have.
bliss
I would say yes but keeping those four and eighteen wheeled objects from hitting you on your motorcycle is equally important. Or, from turning
left in front of you and presenting their broad side to you on a two
lane road.
Lynn
Lynn McGuire <lynnmcguire5@gmail.com> wrote:
On 9/13/2025 10:53 AM, Mark Jackson wrote:
On 9/12/2025 11:38 PM, Lynn McGuire wrote:
Grok really screwed up. 10,000 trillion is 10^16.
Grok? I would urge you to instead use a trustworthy AI, but that's an >>> oxymoron.
I would trust none of the AIs to write code for me. Especially in my >>ongoing project to convert my 850,000 lines of F77 code to C++ code.
We do have f2c for that, which isn't wonderful but is non-horrible and >non-AI.
Why are you doing this, though? Are you looking for the added security
and reliability of null-terminated strings and dynamically-allocated >variables?
Lynn McGuire <lynnmcguire5@gmail.com> wrote:
On 9/13/2025 3:32 PM, Dimensional Traveler wrote:
Been there done that. Gnats form clouds on roads and taste horrible. >>>>So don't wear a open face helmet.
Now you tell me. Where were you in the fall of 1979 ?
In the fall of 1979 I was probably by the side of the road fixing a
2-cycle Moto-Guzzi product. I didn't actually ride it much but I
repaired it a lot.
On Tue, 16 Sep 2025 19:53:19 -0400 (EDT), kludge@panix.com (Scott
Dorsey) wrote:
Lynn McGuire <lynnmcguire5@gmail.com> wrote:
On 9/13/2025 10:53 AM, Mark Jackson wrote:
On 9/12/2025 11:38 PM, Lynn McGuire wrote:
Grok really screwed up.=C2=A0 10,000 trillion is 10^16.=20
Grok?=C2=A0 I would urge you to instead use a trustworthy AI, but = >that's an=20
oxymoron.
I would trust none of the AIs to write code for me. Especially in my=20 >>>ongoing project to convert my 850,000 lines of F77 code to C++ code.
We do have f2c for that, which isn't wonderful but is non-horrible and >>non-AI.
Why are you doing this, though? Are you looking for the added security
and reliability of null-terminated strings and dynamically-allocated=20 >>variables?
I suspect that last bit was satire. Note that he is talking about C++,
not about C.=20
On Tue, 16 Sep 2025 19:53:19 -0400 (EDT), kludge@panix.com (Scott
Dorsey) wrote:
Why are you doing this, though? Are you looking for the added security
and reliability of null-terminated strings and dynamically-allocated=20 >>variables?
I suspect that last bit was satire. Note that he is talking about C++,
not about C.=20
IIRC, he is trying to move his software from a 32-bit world to a
64-bit world, and this has something to do with the availability of
64-bit compilers.
Or maybe my memory is just making all that up.
Lynn McGuire <lynnmcguire5@gmail.com> wrote:
On 9/13/2025 10:53 AM, Mark Jackson wrote:
On 9/12/2025 11:38 PM, Lynn McGuire wrote:
Grok really screwed up. 10,000 trillion is 10^16.
Grok? I would urge you to instead use a trustworthy AI, but that's an
oxymoron.
I would trust none of the AIs to write code for me. Especially in my
ongoing project to convert my 850,000 lines of F77 code to C++ code.
We do have f2c for that, which isn't wonderful but is non-horrible and non-AI.
Why are you doing this, though? Are you looking for the added security
and reliability of null-terminated strings and dynamically-allocated variables?
Scott Dorsey wrote:
Paul S Person <psperson@old.netcom.invalid> wrote:
On Tue, 16 Sep 2025 19:53:19 -0400 (EDT), kludge@panix.com (Scott
Dorsey) wrote:
Why are you doing this, though? Are you looking for the added security >>>> and reliability of null-terminated strings and dynamically-allocated=20 >>>> variables?
I suspect that last bit was satire. Note that he is talking about C++,
not about C.=20
Indeed. One of the main benefits of Fortran is that you don't have to
trust engineers with pointers.
I think I found a way to make every conceivable error with Fortran-77,
and I'm not an engineer.
Just natural talent, I guess.
On 9/16/2025 6:53 PM, Scott Dorsey wrote:
Lynn McGuire <lynnmcguire5@gmail.com> wrote:
On 9/13/2025 10:53 AM, Mark Jackson wrote:
On 9/12/2025 11:38 PM, Lynn McGuire wrote:
Grok really screwed up. 10,000 trillion is 10^16.
Grok? I would urge you to instead use a trustworthy AI, but that's an >>>> oxymoron.
I would trust none of the AIs to write code for me. Especially in my
ongoing project to convert my 850,000 lines of F77 code to C++ code.
We do have f2c for that, which isn't wonderful but is non-horrible and
non-AI.
Why are you doing this, though? Are you looking for the added security
and reliability of null-terminated strings and dynamically-allocated
variables?
--scott
Too late. My F77 code calls malloc, free, and realloc extensively.
We have been using dynamic memory in our F66 code since 1977 or so.
That is how we and our customers were able to simulate refineries back
in the 1970s with only 64K words on mainframes (Univac 1108, CDC 7600,
and IBM 370 junk).
Scott Dorsey wrote:
Indeed. One of the main benefits of Fortran is that you don't have to
trust engineers with pointers.
I think I found a way to make every conceivable error with Fortran-77,
and I'm not an engineer.
Just natural talent, I guess.
Lynn McGuire <lynnmcguire5@gmail.com> writes:
Too late. My F77 code calls malloc, free, and realloc extensively.
We have been using dynamic memory in our F66 code since 1977 or so.
That is how we and our customers were able to simulate refineries back
in the 1970s with only 64K words on mainframes (Univac 1108, CDC 7600,
and IBM 370 junk).
I think you're conflating dynamic allocation with virtual memory.
Dynamic allocation is still limited to the size of the program
address space unless you use overlays of some form or operating
system provided virtual memory.
William Hyde <wthyde1953@gmail.com> wrote:
Scott Dorsey wrote:
Indeed. One of the main benefits of Fortran is that you don't have to
trust engineers with pointers.
I think I found a way to make every conceivable error with Fortran-77,
and I'm not an engineer.
Just natural talent, I guess.
You should try C, or even better C++. It gives you a whole new realms of >possible errors to make.
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