How, Mathematically, We’re Fucked

Exponential growth on a finite planet does not end well, whatever form it takes

indi.ca
8 min readApr 25

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Midjourney imagining “The Vizier Sessi asked the Rajah for a boon. He asked for one grain of rice to be placed on a chessboard and doubled every square --ar 16:9”

I have spoken about the physics and finances of how we’re fucked. Now let’s talk about the math. It’s the reason for both.

To start, let me tell you about the Chessboard Problem. Once, long ago, when the game was young and novel, the Rajah of…

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indi.ca

Indrajit Samarajiva is a writer from Sri Lanka. Follow me at www.indi.ca, or just email me at indi@indi.ca.