Tuesday, May 27, 2008

How Much Is A Trillion?

Almost daily, I hear the words billions and trillions casually thrown around in respect to government spending. Have we become desensitized by these huge numbers that the size of the deficit doesn't seem any more of a drain than a $6 cup of coffee? If so, how big are these numbers, really?

The old adage, time is money, can be used to bring the concept of millions and billions a little closer to home.


For this little exercise, think in terms of seconds.
  • If 1 dollar equals 1 second, there would be $60 in 1 minute.
  • Using this logic, $3,600 would equal 1 hour
  • $86,400 = one day
  • 1 million dollars would be about 12 days
  • 1 billion is close to 32 years

This is where time escapes me.

1 trillion dollars is equal to
31,709 and 3/4 years.

Another example. Scientists say the age of planet Earth, from Big Bang to now, is about 4.2 billion years. If we consider 1 year as one second, that would equal out to around 133 years. Mother Nature could build from scratch, 238 planet Earths to equal one trillion.


4 comments:

Dade Cariaga said...

And the ghastly irony of the whole thing is this: the republicans are supposedly the party of fiscal restraint!

Well, Eclectic, my friend, you just have to laugh, eh?

Eclectic Dilettante said...

It's out of control

Anonymous said...

For all you millionaires out there, that million you had when Bush declared war on Iraq is now worth $600,000. Doesn’t that piss you off? I’m not a millionaire and it pisses me off that my measly $1000 is worth $600. Anyone want Bush’s buddy to be our next president? What do you think that million dollars will be worth in 4 more years of war? How much of the lost $400,000 will be in Bush's pocket? McCain's pocket? Cheney's pocket? Will our empire collapse?

Eclectic Dilettante said...

Grrrr
Yes, it pisses me off.

Ron Paul needs to be president. Can miracles happen?