If we could shrink the earth's population to a village of precisely 100 people, with all the existing human ratios remaining the same, it would look something like the following:

There would be:
57 Asians
21 Europeans
14 from the Western Hemisphere, both north and south
8 Africans

52 would be female
48 would be male

70 would be non-white
30 would be white

70 would be non-Christian
30 would be Christian

89 would be heterosexual
11 would be homosexual

6 people would possess 59% of the entire world's wealth and all 6 would
be from the United States.

80 would live in substandard housing
70 would be unable to read
50 would suffer from malnutrition
1 would be near death; 1 would be near birth
1 (yes, only 1) would have a college education
1 would own a computer

When one considers our world from such a compressed perspective, the need for acceptance, understanding and education becomes glaringly apparent.

The saddest part is in the last few lines, about the inequal distribution of the world's wealth,

Quote:

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6 people would possess 59% of the entire world's wealth

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This is where the need for socialism comes in, but unfortunately, socialism is rather un-democratic, and not too many people are ready to give away their hard earned money. Are all the royal families of the world, corporate giants, and other rich people listening? Can you guys do something about it, without the hopes of getting more advertised or gaining political mileage? The literature in great language of Sanskrit, says that life is useless without charity.

Of course I understand, that the not-so-rich people like us also have a part to play, but it is upto these bigwigs to light the lamp of charity or whatever, they should be the ones leading the way.

Of course, nobody take me as a communist, I say that this should be done voluntarily.

Aaah, if only human nature was so...

Harish.. I could not agree more with you. As long as "Corporations" and "Big Business" rule the world... I do not see any of this changing. The only way to reaching a status quo is sharing the wealth as things are so unbalanced.
If you ever get a chance, take my "Unity Through Music" quiz that is in Something In Common or under my name. It was my way of explaining how to achieve world peace in 10 common songs.
Thanks,
Mike

An interesting analysis of these figures can be found at Snopes.com. Go here for an update on one of the oldest 'factoids' on the 'net.