The world map by population

This map, compiled by Reddit user TeaDranks, shows what the world would look like if a country's size was proportional to its population.  Get larger version here.

Below is extracted from a Washington Post article (link here)

As you can see, our sense of geographic space gets rather radically rearranged by this map.

Vast countries such as Russia, Canada and Australia turn into small rump states and slivers of territory. The United States is home to only 5 percentof the world's population and its size suitably reflects that diminished reality. Europe, and not South Asia, appears to be the real Asian subcontinent.

It should be noted that TeaDranks identifies the territories of Abkhazia and South Ossetia as independent states, though most of the international community considers them to be part of the republic of Georgia. The Reddit user also incorporates the territory of Crimea, controversially annexed by Moscow last year, as part of Russia.

What the map emphasizes is the primacy of Asia. The continent's immensity is understood in the West, but not truly appreciated. 

Some Asian cities, as delineated on the map, are larger than most European countries.

Of course, many of these Asian countries are still struggling to cope with the demands posed by their massive populations. But as the continent boasts some of the world's most dynamic developing economies, this map is a useful illustration for why some believe the 21st century will be the Asian Century.

Making the World More Awesome

Kid President believes the things we say can help make the world more awesome. Here he shares a special list of 20 things we should say more often. What would you add to it?

The Future of Jobs

It sounds counter-intuitive, but by 2030, many of the world's largest economies will have more jobs than adult citizens to do those jobs. In this data-filled — and quite charming — talk, human resources expert Rainer Strack suggests that countries ought to look across borders for mobile and willing job seekers. But to do that, they need to start by changing the culture in their businesses. 

Vitamins and supplements that work

Recent studies have shown that many vitamins and supplements do little for our health and are a waste of money. This chart will make it abundantly clear how true that is.

Americans spend more than $20 billion a year on supplements in hopes of staving off disease.

In this brilliant chart by David McCandless from 2010, you can see a gorgeous visualization of how many supplements are actually helpful — based on scientific studies — and how many are basically nothing more than snake oil.

McCandless, writing on Information is Beautiful, explains:

This image is a "balloon race". The higher a bubble, the greater the evidence for its effectiveness. But the supplements are only effective for the conditions listed inside the bubble. 

You might also see multiple bubbles for certain supps. These is because some supps affect a range of conditions, but the evidence quality varies from condition to condition. For example, there's strong evidence that Green Tea is good for cholesterol levels. But evidence for its anti-cancer effects is conflicting. In these cases, we give a supp another bubble.

Mentally Strong People

The Roots of European Language

When we consider the various cultures that have developed within Europe and stretching to both the Near East and American continents, we sometimes forget that many of these started with a common language roots many centuries in the past.

As you will note from the diagram (click on it to enlarge), what is called Proto - Indo - European (PIE) is suspected to have roots from perhaps 3700 BCE

What Starts Here Changes the World: Tips for Life Success

The following are the remarks by Naval Adm. William H. McRaven, ninth commander of U.S. Special Operations Command, at the University-wide Commencement at The University of Texas at Austin, TX on May 17. An inspiration no matter what your age or career focus:

Is college worth it?

A recent issue of The Economist addresses the issue of return-on-investment for major US universities.  The summarize the research of PayScale, a research firm, has gathered data on the graduates of more than 900 universities and colleges, asking them what they studied and how much they now earn. The company then factors in the cost of a degree, after financial aid (discounts for the clever or impecunious that greatly reduce the sticker price at many universities). From this, PayScale estimates the financial returns of many different types of degree (see chart):

As well, there is a link to a page with an interactive graph that allows you to selected various criteria for analysis.

Dozens of Planes Have Vanished

Some 83 aircraft have been declared “missing” since 1948, according to data compiled by the Aviation Safety Network. The list includes planes capable of carrying more than 14 passengers and where no trace — bodies or debris — has ever been found.  Bloomberg created a useful graphic illustrating numbers and locations.