A Billion

Bobdown · Guru

A Billion

yobarr · Guru

Bobdown wrote:

Putting a 'BILLION' in context.

This is too true to be funny.
The next time you hear a politician use the word 'billion' in a casual manner, think about whether you want the 'politicians' spending YOUR tax money.

A billion is a difficult number to comprehend, but one advertising agency did a good job of putting that figure into some perspective in one of its releases.

A. A billion seconds ago it was 1959.

B. A billion minutes ago Jesus was alive.

C. A billion hours ago our ancestors were living in the Stone Age.

D. A billion days ago no-one walked on the earth on two feet.

E. A billion Dollars ago was only 13 hours and 12 minutes, at the rate our government is spending it.

Stamp Duty
Tobacco Tax
Corporate Income Tax
Income Tax
Council Tax
Unemployment Tax
Fishing Licence Tax
Petrol/Diesel Tax
Inheritance Tax
(tax on top of tax)
Alcohol Tax
G.S.T.
Property Tax
Service charge taxes
Social Security Tax
Vehicle Licence / Registration Tax
Vehicle Sales Tax
Workers Compensation Tax
Carbon Dioxide Tax

STILL THINK THIS IS FUNNY?

Not one of these taxes existed 60 years ago and our nation was one of the most prosperous in the world.

We had absolutely no national debt.
We had the largest middle class in the world. Mum stayed home to raise the kids, Dad and teachers were allowed to discipline kids.
A criminals life was uncomfortable.

Boat people were kids sailing on the Harbour.

What the hell happened?
'Political Correctness', Politicians or both?

Too many "Do gooders", Too many no-hopers who know much about their "rights" but nothing of their "responsibilities". Too many bludgers. Too many who bleat "I pay my taxes" but don't understand that their "entitlements" often exceed their tax contributions. Too many who breed willy-nilly because the "Gummint will look after us". Too many social climbers. Waaay too much social welfare handed out willy-nilly. Why work? Too many who want something for nothing. And now we have a weekend approaching that effectively will cover 5 days, 3 of these days being "paid" because "we're entitled to it". Meanwhile, small businesses struggle to survive because they have to find the money to cover these "entitlements". That'll do for now, but it is the tip of the iceberg and I could go on forever. Cheers.

P.S Thanks Bob, for posting this.

Gundog · Guru

The great labor messiah Gough Whitlam stated it all.

Plain Truth · Guru

Gundog wrote:
The great labor messiah Gough Whitlam stated it all.

Bobdown · Guru

Gundog wrote:
The great labor messiah Gough Whitlam stated it all.

Started or stated?

God save the Governor General, or nothing will. smile smile

Ivan 01 · Guru

yobarr wrote:
Bobdown wrote:

Putting a 'BILLION' in context.

This is too true to be funny.
The next time you hear a politician use the word 'billion' in a casual manner, think about whether you want the 'politicians' spending YOUR tax money.

A billion is a difficult number to comprehend, but one advertising agency did a good job of putting that figure into some perspective in one of its releases.

A. A billion seconds ago it was 1959.

B. A billion minutes ago Jesus was alive.

C. A billion hours ago our ancestors were living in the Stone Age.

D. A billion days ago no-one walked on the earth on two feet.

E. A billion Dollars ago was only 13 hours and 12 minutes, at the rate our government is spending it.

Stamp Duty
Tobacco Tax
Corporate Income Tax
Income Tax
Council Tax
Unemployment Tax
Fishing Licence Tax
Petrol/Diesel Tax
Inheritance Tax
(tax on top of tax)
Alcohol Tax
G.S.T.
Property Tax
Service charge taxes
Social Security Tax
Vehicle Licence / Registration Tax
Vehicle Sales Tax
Workers Compensation Tax
Carbon Dioxide Tax

STILL THINK THIS IS FUNNY?

Not one of these taxes existed 60 years ago and our nation was one of the most prosperous in the world.

We had absolutely no national debt.
We had the largest middle class in the world. Mum stayed home to raise the kids, Dad and teachers were allowed to discipline kids.
A criminals life was uncomfortable.

Boat people were kids sailing on the Harbour.

What the hell happened?
'Political Correctness', Politicians or both?
Too many "Do gooders", Too many no-hopers who know much about their "rights" but nothing of their "responsibilities". Too many bludgers. Too many who bleat "I pay my taxes" but don't understand that their "entitlements" often exceed their tax contributions. Too many who breed willy-nilly because the "Gummint will look after us". Too many social climbers. Waaay too much social welfare handed out willy-nilly. Why work? Too many who want something for nothing. And now we have a weekend approaching that effectively will cover 5 days, 3 of these days being "paid" because "we're entitled to it". Meanwhile, small businesses struggle to survive because they have to find the money to cover these "entitlements". That'll do for now, but it is the tip of the iceberg and I could go on forever. Cheers.
P.S Thanks Bob, for posting this.

Yes,

Spot on.

Mike Harding · Guru

A great quote from a US congressman speaking about a new spending bill:

"A billion here, a billion there... pretty soon we're starting to talk real money."

yobarr · Guru

Ivan 01 wrote:
yobarr wrote:
Bobdown wrote:

Putting a 'BILLION' in context.

This is too true to be funny.
The next time you hear a politician use the word 'billion' in a casual manner, think about whether you want the 'politicians' spending YOUR tax money.

A billion is a difficult number to comprehend, but one advertising agency did a good job of putting that figure into some perspective in one of its releases.

A. A billion seconds ago it was 1959.

B. A billion minutes ago Jesus was alive.

C. A billion hours ago our ancestors were living in the Stone Age.

D. A billion days ago no-one walked on the earth on two feet.

E. A billion Dollars ago was only 13 hours and 12 minutes, at the rate our government is spending it.

Stamp Duty
Tobacco Tax
Corporate Income Tax
Income Tax
Council Tax
Unemployment Tax
Fishing Licence Tax
Petrol/Diesel Tax
Inheritance Tax
(tax on top of tax)
Alcohol Tax
G.S.T.
Property Tax
Service charge taxes
Social Security Tax
Vehicle Licence / Registration Tax
Vehicle Sales Tax
Workers Compensation Tax
Carbon Dioxide Tax

STILL THINK THIS IS FUNNY?

Not one of these taxes existed 60 years ago and our nation was one of the most prosperous in the world.

We had absolutely no national debt.
We had the largest middle class in the world. Mum stayed home to raise the kids, Dad and teachers were allowed to discipline kids.
A criminals life was uncomfortable.

Boat people were kids sailing on the Harbour.

What the hell happened?
'Political Correctness', Politicians or both?
Too many "Do gooders", Too many no-hopers who know much about their "rights" but nothing of their "responsibilities". Too many bludgers. Too many who bleat "I pay my taxes" but don't understand that their "entitlements" often exceed their tax contributions. Too many who breed willy-nilly because the "Gummint will look after us". Too many social climbers. Waaay too much social welfare handed out willy-nilly. Why work? Too many who want something for nothing. And now we have a weekend approaching that effectively will cover 5 days, 3 of these days being "paid" because "we're entitled to it". Meanwhile, small businesses struggle to survive because they have to find the money to cover these "entitlements". That'll do for now, but it is the tip of the iceberg and I could go on forever. Cheers.
P.S Thanks Bob, for posting this.
Yes,
Spot on.

Ivan 01 · Guru

We do seem hell bent as a population of reducing everyone to the LOWEST COMMON DENOMINATOR.

Unionism which demands that the union themselves negotiate pay rates for all within their grasp is the classic example.

Most times employers love the system as well as they stand to gain some very skilful employees and only have to pay them the basic wage negotiated.

Then we could throw into the mix old mate Shorten who sold an entire group of workers down the river.

Yobarrs monopoly board above says it all.

yobarr · Guru

Ivan 01 wrote:
We do seem hell bent as a population of reducing everyone to the LOWEST COMMON DENOMINATOR.

Unionism which demands that the union themselves negotiate pay rates for all within their grasp is the classic example.

Most times employers love the system as well as they stand to gain some very skilful workers and only have to pay them the basic wage negotiated.

Then we could throw into the mix old mate Shorten who sold an entire group of workers down the river.

Yobarrs monopoly board above says it all.

Good points here Ivan, but way beyond the comprehension of many union members. Waaay back when unionism was compulsory if you wanted access to many work sites, I had some almighty rows with the delegates. Easy to confuse them with logic though. Many stories I could relate, but perhaps not on a public forum. Unions may have had their place last century, but they have outlived their usefulness and often make it impossible for small-business owners to make a living. Last week overheard business owner addressing his staff of 4 about having to pay them $50/hr (Double time?) on Thursday 22nd September. He said he couldn't do it as his small business didn't make that sort of money, and he'd be forced to close down, leaving 4 staff members unemployed. Finally settled on $38/hr, but understanding such situations is seemingly beyond the abilities of many union delegates who understand nothing but "Gimme, gimme". Enterprise bargaining works brilliantly because you get paid what you're worth. Cheers

-- Edited by yobarr on Monday 19th of September 2022 04:25:50 PM

Clarky 1 · Senior Member

Gday Yobarr,

You could add another sentence to the game board above.

After the last sentence we could add that while we are all waiting for the handout, the government is funding the handouts by selling our country to the Chinese.

Whenarewethere · Guru

Bobdown wrote:

A. A billion seconds ago it was 1959.

1,000,000,000/60 = 16,666,666 minutes

16,666,666/60 = 277,777 hours

277,777/24 = 11,574 days

11,574/365.25 = 31.7 years

2022 - 32 = 1990

dabbler · Guru

Whenarewethere wrote:
Bobdown wrote:

A. A billion seconds ago it was 1959.
1,000,000,000/60 = 16,666,666 minutes
16,666,666/60 = 277,777 hours
277,777/24 = 11,574 days
11,574/365.25 = 31.7 years

2022 - 32 = 1990

That's what happens when you use memes to support your political beliefs (especially ones that originate in the good ol' US of A).

dorian · Guru

1991.

https://ipv4.google.com/search?q=%282022+years+%2B+9+months+%2B+20+days%29+-+1+billion+seconds+in+years

Homo habilis arrived 2.5 million years ago. The apes were here long before then.

https://ipv4.google.com/search?q=%282022+years+%2B+9+months+%2B+20+days%29+-+1+billion+days+in+years (2.7 million years ago)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_human_evolution

-- Edited by dorian on Tuesday 20th of September 2022 05:41:45 AM

Mike Harding · Guru

Well checked people, I didn't bother just assumed it was correct.

It's only basic arithmetic you really would think anyone going to the trouble of writing such a thing would get the sums right!

Craig1 · Guru

Is an American billion different to an English billion?
The old UK meaning of a billion was a million million, or one followed by twelve noughts (1,000,000,000,000). The USA meaning of a billion is a thousand million, or one followed by nine noughts (1,000,000,000).

Someone do the sums on the pommie one please

dorian · Guru

Craig1 wrote:
Is an American billion different to an English billion?
The old UK meaning of a billion was a million million, or one followed by twelve noughts (1,000,000,000,000). The USA meaning of a billion is a thousand million, or one followed by nine noughts (1,000,000,000).

Someone do the sums on the pommie one please

Do it yourself. Substitute 1000 billion for 1 billion in each of my Google calculations ...

Ivan 01 · Guru

Craig1 wrote:
Is an American billion different to an English billion?
The old UK meaning of a billion was a million million, or one followed by twelve noughts (1,000,000,000,000). The USA meaning of a billion is a thousand million, or one followed by nine noughts (1,000,000,000).

Someone do the sums on the pommie one please

Yes, true story with confirmation here:

https://researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/SN04440/SN04440.pdf

I am surprised our Mr Doogle didnt include that link in the trivia above

dogbox · Guru

Craig1 wrote:

Is an American billion different to an English billion?

The old UK meaning of a billion was a million million, or one followed by twelve noughts (1,000,000,000,000). The USA meaning of a billion is a thousand million, or one followed by nine noughts (1,000,000,000).

Someone do the sums on the pommie one please

i am still trying to get my head around a aus million so a billion in not within my comprehension english or american

dorian · Guru

Ivan 01 wrote:
Craig1 wrote:
Is an American billion different to an English billion?
The old UK meaning of a billion was a million million, or one followed by twelve noughts (1,000,000,000,000). The USA meaning of a billion is a thousand million, or one followed by nine noughts (1,000,000,000).

Someone do the sums on the pommie one please
Yes, true story with confirmation here:
https://researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/SN04440/SN04440.pdf
I am surprised our Mr Doogle didnt include that link in the trivia above

Maybe Mr Doogle got tired of teaching simple arithmetic to octogenarians.

Mike Harding · Guru

As far as I'm aware (mind you, I have been wrong before... I remember once in 1982... :) ) the old UK definition has fallen into disuse and been largely replaced by the US one of 1000 million - once you start using numbers larger than that you really need to go to scientific notation in order to retain your sanity eg. 1000 x 10E6 = 1,000,000,000 = one billion.

Talk about confusion! The paper Ivan references has got it wrong when it refers to one billion as being 10 x 10E9 whereas it should be 1 x10E9.

Ivan 01 · Guru

Mike Harding wrote:
As far as I'm aware (mind you, I have been wrong before... I remember once in 1982... :) ) the old UK definition has fallen into disuse and been largely replaced by the US one of 1000 million - once you start using numbers larger than that you really need to go to scientific notation in order to retain your sanity eg. 1000 x 10E6 = 1,000,000,000 = one billion.
Talk about confusion! The paper Ivan references has got it wrong when it refers to one billion as being 10 x 10E9 whereas it should be 1 x10E9.

Thanks Mike,

Maybe that is why Mr Doogle didnt quote the link.

I will stand against the wall if anyone feels the need to shoot the messenger. biggrin

yobarr · Guru

Clarky 1 wrote:
Gday Yobarr,

You could add another sentence to the game board above.

After the last sentence we could add that while we are all waiting for the handout, the government is funding the handouts by selling our country to the Chinese.

Hi Stu. There are, of course, many more things that I could have added, while your comments about Australia being sold to the Chinese certainly are relevant. There are huge numbers of Australian people who seem to not have a high enough intelligence level to understand that using their money to buy Chinese spit at the expense of quality Australian products is counter-productive, and will eventually cost them. If Australian companies cannot sell their product they eventually are forced to close their doors. Thus, their employees become unemployed and go on to welfare. Simple maths. shows that revenue from income tax is thus reduced, while expenditure on welfare is increased. Welfare should be a last resort, not the lifestyle that is nowadays preferred, by many, to having a job, while employers are screaming for workers. Here in WA I regularly pass through small country towns where cafes, grocers etc have BIG signs in the front window, announcing that they have either closed permanently, or are closed for the day because of staff shortages. Country hotels suffer from the same problem, some opening for business at 4pm and some opening only on certain days because they have no staff.. Makes it difficult to get a beer! Last week, while dining in roadhouses,I was approached no fewer than 3 times by owners of trucks, asking could I drive a Roadtrain for them. Truck drivers are a special breed, as you know, and it takes many years to learn the ropes (No pun intended) and gain the experience to be let loose on a 3 or 4 trailer 160 ton Roadtrain that is valued at well over $1 million. Finally I took a job on a Western Star triple, on $50/hr and free accomodation, including 3 meals/day. One member claims that it takes only a few hours of tuition to become a truck driver, which shows an absolute ignorance of the requirements, but there is a huge shortage of drivers. Why? Surely $3000/week is not bad money for workers often regarded by the ignorant as "unskilled"? Without trucks Australia stops. Cheers

P.S Although I am effectively retired I enjoy driving trucks "in the bush" simply because the people here are more genuine, rather than being pretentious, and are "having a go". Cheers

P.P.S Surely it is more important to appreciate Bob's efforts to enlighten the ignorant majority about how much $1 billion actually is when that sort of figure is 'used in a casual manner' by politicians than it is to bleat about his maths being wrong? His intent was admirable. Thanks Bob!

P.P.S The picture shows gear-shift pattern for 18 speed Roadranger transmission. This transmission has no syncromesh, and gearchanges, up and down, are generally made without using the clutch. Unskilled? I don't think so.

-- Edited by yobarr on Tuesday 20th of September 2022 01:15:44 PM

KevinJ · Senior Member

I never knew.

dorian · Guru

Mike Harding wrote:
As far as I'm aware (mind you, I have been wrong before... I remember once in 1982... :) ) the old UK definition has fallen into disuse and been largely replaced by the US one of 1000 million - once you start using numbers larger than that you really need to go to scientific notation in order to retain your sanity eg. 1000 x 10E6 = 1,000,000,000 = one billion.
Talk about confusion! The paper Ivan references has got it wrong when it refers to one billion as being 10 x 10E9 whereas it should be 1 x10E9.

It's 1E9.

https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=1e9&redirect=no

... and I still remember when 1E9 was one milliard, at least to some of us.

-- Edited by dorian on Tuesday 20th of September 2022 12:16:42 PM

yobarr · Guru

Mike Harding wrote:
As far as I'm aware (mind you, I have been wrong before... I remember once in 1982 :)

Luv it Mike.A bit of humour goes a long way! Cheers

Mike Harding · Guru

Yobarr: if we will not make fun of ourselves then we have no right to make fun of others.

yobarr · Guru

Mike Harding wrote:
Yobarr: if we will not make fun of ourselves then we have no right to make fun of others.

Ain't that the truth! "I once thought I was wrong, but I was mistaken" Thanks Mike. Cheers

Whenarewethere · Guru

Mike Harding wrote:
Well checked people, I didn't bother just assumed it was correct.
It's only basic arithmetic you really would think anyone going to the trouble of writing such a thing would get the sums right!

I wasn't going to check except for the fact that the servicing instructions for my mechanical watch says get it serviced approximately every billion beats. It's 6 beats a second. So the OP figure I knew was way off.

Just goes to show old technology has saved the day!

dorian · Guru

Let's not forget snopes:

https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/billions-and-billions/