Numbers Don't Lie

Given the vast amount of data available, I'm curious how Vaclav Smil selected these particular points to shape our understanding of the world. Was it based on current relevance or long-term significance?

Some numbers painted a hopeful picture while others felt quite alarming. How did these data points affect perceptions of global progress or decline?

The straightforward approach makes complex topics digestible, but I wonder if there was a specific reason for this structure over a traditional narrative or analysis.