How Big Can a Person Get? | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

Humans are near the genetic limit of height due to the square-cube law, and their size is limited by biology, gravity, and geometry, but their impact on the environment extends beyond their physical boundaries.

Key Insights

• 😷 Improved nutrition and medical care have led to an increase in average human height.
• 🦶 The tallest recorded person was 8 feet 11 inches tall, but the maximum potential height for humans may be around 7 feet.
• 👮 The square-cube law limits the size of a human to maintain structural integrity.
• 👂 Other factors beyond physical size, such as sound, sight, and smell, contribute to the perception of a person's size.

Transcript

Hey, Vsauce. Michael here. Ten centimeters - about four inches. This is how much taller on average people are today than they were 150 years ago. Better nutrition and medical care early in life has allowed us to better take advantage of the blueprints within our genes. Blueprints that carry plans for just how big a healthy human being can get given... Read More

Questions & Answers

Q: What factors have contributed to the increase in average human height over the past 150 years?

Better nutrition and improved medical care early in life have allowed people to reach their optimal genetic height potential.

Q: Is there a biological limit to how tall humans can grow?

Yes, the plans carried within our genes rarely exceed a height of 7 feet 6 inches, and to consistently produce individuals taller than 8 feet, they would likely need a different, non-human shape.

Q: How does the square-cube law affect the potential size of a human?

As a shape grows taller, its volume increases at a greater rate. This means that the structural support provided by the body's bones and muscles would be insufficient for a person significantly larger than current proportions.

Q: Can humans grow taller or larger in different environments, such as on Mars?

The lower gravity on Mars could potentially allow humans to grow a few inches taller, but their bones and muscles would likely not grow strong enough to survive Earth's gravity.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• People are, on average, 10 centimeters taller than they were 150 years ago due to better nutrition and medical care.

• The tallest man currently living in America is 7 feet 8 inches tall, while the tallest person ever recorded was 8 feet 11 inches tall.

• The maximum potential height for humans is estimated to be around 7 feet, beyond which a person would face difficulties in mobility and survival.