The Fascinating Journey of 155 Billion Words Unveiled
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Chapter 1: The Challenge of Comprehending Abundance
Have you ever pondered if it's feasible to manage 155 billion of anything, given enough time?
Consider this: Could you handle 155 billion traffic signs, musical notes, beliefs, scents, sights, colors, truths, thoughts, snowflakes, or even dollars? If you doubt your ability to manage such vast quantities, what leads you to believe that you could grasp 155 billion English words? (Let’s set aside the countless words from other languages for now.) To appreciate the enormity of 155 billion words, take a moment to immerse yourself in the narrative of words that follows.
The story of words illustrates that our planet existed without language for the first 4.65 billion years of its history, and it continues to have wordless moments today. While words emerged approximately 13,750 years ago, their presence is less substantial than that of a neutrino, the elusive particle. This means words remain undetectable within a user, even by the most advanced technology like the LUX-Zeplin located in South Dakota. This inability to detect words is part of the reason their emergence has transformed evolution. However, evolution itself is a separate topic that will be explored in a future post.
Returning to the subject of words, they challenge our understanding of the universe, a concept our ancestors aptly termed “universe.”
Word Number One
Around 13,750 years ago, during an era marked by stone tools and a verdant Sahara, the first spoken word came into existence. By definition, the total number of words at that moment was one. The identity of this inaugural word remains a mystery, as the speaker—a now-extinct creature—has long since vanished, along with any witnesses. Given the vast span of time, it’s difficult for most language users to conceive its significance.
We speculate that the creature responsible for uttering the first word likely resembled modern-day animals. However, different species across continents may have independently developed language at different points in history, as words did not surface globally at once. The specifics of the first word, its speaker, and the response from the listener are all unknown. Nonetheless, we do know that over time, the number of words has expanded significantly.
This growth can be likened to the idea that “the chicken was the egg’s plan for producing more eggs” (Marshall McLuhan) and similarly, “the word-user was the word’s strategy for generating more words” (Beat Schindler). Both methods proved fruitful in numerous ways.
Words Today
In a world devoid of words, their non-existence is self-explanatory. However, in our word-filled existence, we have transitioned from a single word 13,750 years ago to astonishing figures today:
- 24.9 million words - As noted by Wikipedia’s Wiktionary, recognized as “the world’s most-read reference work.”
- 4.5 billion words - According to Collins, the analytical database boasts over 4.5 billion words.
- 21.36 billion words - From the list of dictionaries, another reference point for extensive word usage.
- 37.725 billion words - As per English Corpora, the preeminent collection of corpora globally.
- 155 billion words - A figure from English Corpora, indicating the expansive reach of language.
Moreover, the advent of the internet has further accelerated the creation, storage, and sharing of words, surpassing anything previously conceived for such purposes.
Where Has 155 Billion Words Led Us?
The accumulation of 155 billion words—constantly increasing—has contributed to the world we inhabit today, a topic that warrants its own discussion.
For those intrigued by the insightful quote from McLuhan, feel free to explore his thoughts further.
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Written by Beat Schindler
Author of The Origin of Humanity and editor for Fresh Perspective.
For insights on the beginnings of language, visit: www.schindlersword.com | LinkedIn: Limitless Opportunities.
Chapter 2: Understanding Language in Context
The first video, Norman Finkelstein - Israel and Palestine - YouTube, provides a profound exploration of the complexities surrounding language and identity.
The second video, Attackers Incoming! | Sheltered - Part 12 (Post-Apocalyptic Survival) - YouTube, offers an engaging look at how language plays a role in survival scenarios.