From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smallpox : *During the 20th century, it is est... | Hacker News

Hacker Newsnew | past | comments | ask | show | jobs | submit

AngryParsley on March 13, 2010 | parent | context | favorite | on: On the Shortness of Life - Seneca (50 AD)

From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smallpox : During the 20th century, it is estimated that smallpox was responsible for 300–500 million deaths.

Smallpox has been around for over 10,000 years. In the 20th century it killed more people than all the wars in this list: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War#List_of_wars_by_death_toll

Retric on March 13, 2010 [–]

War is far from the only way people kill people. Add up all the people in the US killed in auto accidents and you are going to be in the top 10 on that list.

Guidelines | FAQ | Lists | API | Security | Legal | Apply to YC | Contact