The Most Useful Thing on Earth, Ranked

Voting rules: Choose the thing you think is the most useful!

Updated on May 17, 2024 07:00

Determining the most valuable tool or item in daily life can be a dynamic and highly subjective endeavor. Varying perspectives highlight the diverse importance of various items depending on individual needs and contextual use. A consistently updated ranking, shaped by popular opinion, provides guidance on what the majority finds essential. By participating in the voting process, users contribute to a collective understanding that shapes this adaptive list. This allows the ranking to be a reflection not only of prevailing trends but also of practical utilities as evaluated by a wide audience. Engaging with this process helps ensure that the ranking remains relevant and informative.

What Is the Most Useful Thing on Earth?

1

99
votes
Water

Water - it is essential for all living beings and is used in various industries.
Water is a transparent, tasteless, odorless, and nearly colorless chemical substance. It covers about 71% of the Earth's surface and is essential for all forms of life. Water is a vital resource that exists in various forms including liquid, solid (ice), and gas (water vapor). It plays a crucial role in numerous natural processes and human activities.

Chemical formula: H2O

Boiling point: 100 degrees Celsius (212 degrees Fahrenheit)

Freezing point: 0 degrees Celsius (32 degrees Fahrenheit)

Density: 1 g/cm3

Specific heat capacity: 4.18 J/g°C
2

45
votes
Oxygen

Oxygen - it is necessary for respiration and sustaining life.
Oxygen is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas found abundantly in the Earth's atmosphere. It is the third-most abundant element in the universe and plays a vital role in supporting life on Earth.

Atomic number: 8

Atomic symbol: O

Atomic weight: 15.999 u

Physical state: Gas

Boiling point: -183.0 °C
3

36
votes

Food

Food - it provides energy and nutrients for the body to function.
4

19
votes
Electricity

Electricity - it powers our homes, businesses, and industries.
Electricity is a form of energy resulting from the existence of charged particles (such as electrons or protons) and their movement. It is a fundamental force of nature that is utilized in various applications in modern society.

Electric Charge: Electricity is associated with electrically charged particles, namely electrons (negative charge) and protons (positive charge).

Flow of Current: Electricity flows through conductive materials, driven by the movement of electrons.

Voltage: Voltage measures the electric potential difference between two points and determines the force with which electricity moves through a circuit.

Current: Electric current, measured in amperes (A), represents the rate of flow of electric charge in a circuit.

Resistance: Resistance, measured in ohms (Ω), determines the opposition to the flow of electric current in a material or device.
5

11
votes
Internet

Internet - it connects us globally and provides access to information and communication.
The Internet is a global network of interconnected computers that allows for the transmission and exchange of data and information. It provides a vast array of services and resources, including websites, email, file sharing, online communication, and access to databases and libraries.

TCP/IP: Transmission Control Protocol and Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) provides the essential communication protocols for data transmission across the Internet.

World Wide Web: The World Wide Web (WWW) is a system of interconnected hypertext documents and resources accessible via the Internet.

DNS: Domain Name System (DNS) translates domain names into IP addresses, allowing easy access to resources on the Internet.

HTTP: Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) is the foundation of data communication in the World Wide Web.

Email: Email, or electronic mail, enables the exchange of messages and files between users connected to the Internet.
6

22
votes
Medicine

Medicine - it helps cure illnesses and alleviate pain.
Medicine is a challenging academic subject that encompasses the study of diseases, the prevention of illnesses, and the promotion of health. It involves the understanding of human anatomy, physiology, and the application of medical knowledge to diagnose and treat various medical conditions. Medicine is a vital field that requires a deep understanding of scientific principles, critical thinking skills, and continuous learning to keep up with advancements. Healthcare professionals, such as doctors and nurses, play a crucial role in the field of medicine.

Duration of Study: Approximately 6-10 years (including undergraduate and medical school)

Specializations: Cardiology, dermatology, neurology, pediatrics, surgery, etc.

Clinical Rotations: Hands-on training in different medical specialties

Medical Ethics: Adherence to ethical principles, patient confidentiality, and informed consent

Evidence-Based Medicine: Applying research findings to guide medical decisions
7

1
votes
Transportation

Transportation - it enables us to travel and transport goods efficiently.
Transportation refers to the movement of people, goods, and services from one place to another within British Columbia. It plays a critical role in connecting communities, supporting economic activities, and facilitating trade and tourism. The transportation sector in British Columbia encompasses various modes, including road transportation, air transportation, maritime transportation, and rail transportation.

Road Transportation: Includes highways, city streets, and rural roads serving both personal vehicles and commercial trucks.

Air Transportation: Comprises commercial airports, regional airports, and heliports, connecting British Columbia to domestic and international destinations.

Maritime Transportation: Involves seaports and ferry services, enabling the transportation of goods, passengers, and vehicles along the coastline and between islands.

Rail Transportation: Consists of railways and train services, facilitating the movement of goods and people across large distances and connecting different regions.

Public Transit: Includes buses, SkyTrain, and other public transportation modes operated by transit authorities, ensuring convenient mobility within urban areas.
8

5
votes
Clothing

Clothing - it protects us from the elements and provides comfort.
Clothing refers to handmade garments and accessories that are created through various techniques such as sewing, knitting, crocheting, and embroidery. Handmade clothing items are known for their unique and personal touch, crafted with care and attention to detail.

Materials: Can vary and include fabrics such as cotton, silk, wool, linen, and more

Techniques: Sewing, knitting, crocheting, embroidery, hand painting, etc.

Styles: Can range from casual, formal, vintage, bohemian, modern, traditional, etc.

Sizes: Available in various sizes including standard, plus size, and custom measurements

Colors: Offered in a wide range of colors and patterns
9

4
votes
Shelter

Shelter is it provides a safe and secure place to live.
A shelter refers to a structure or enclosure created by early humans to provide protection and refuge from the elements, predators, and other threats. It serves as a secure and habitable space where individuals or groups can seek safety and comfort.

Materials: Natural resources such as wood, leaves, sticks, animal hides, and bones.

Design: Varied based on the available resources and environmental conditions, ranging from simple caves, tree branches, and rock formations to more complex huts, tents, and igloos.

Size: Varied depending on the purpose, from small individual shelters to larger structures accommodating entire families or communities.

Mobility: Some shelters were portable to allow for nomadic lifestyles, while others were more permanent structures.

Protection: Offered defense against extreme weather conditions, such as rain, wind, and snow, as well as against wild animals and potential threats from other groups.
10

12
votes
Education

Education - it fosters personal and societal growth, and helps individuals acquire knowledge and skills.
The education sector in British Columbia refers to the field of formal education, which includes primary, secondary, and post-secondary education institutions. It encompasses both public and private institutions that provide education and academic programs to students of all ages. The education sector plays a vital role in developing and shaping the skills, knowledge, and abilities of individuals, preparing them for future personal, academic, and professional success.

Educational Institutions: Primary, secondary, and post-secondary schools

Teachers and Instructors: Educators who deliver curriculum and facilitate learning

Educational Programs: Structured courses and degrees offered by institutions

Research Opportunities: Conducting research in various fields of study

Quality Assurance: Ensuring educational standards and accreditation

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Discussion

Ranking factors for useful thing

Practicality

The usefulness of an item should be practical and applicable to a wide range of situations.
Availability

The more accessible and widely available an item is, the more useful it can be.
Affordability

The price of an item determines its accessibility to a larger population, making it more useful.
Impact on human life

An item's impact on improving or enhancing human life makes it an essential commodity and adds to its usefulness.
Environmental impact

The sustainability of an item and its impact on the environment must also be taken into account.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most useful thing on Earth. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or thing is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

3432 views
203 votes
10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each thing once every 24 hours. The rank of each thing is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

More information on most useful thing on earth

The question of what is the most useful thing on Earth is a complex and subjective one. Depending on individual perspectives, it could be argued that anything from the availability of clean water to the invention of the wheel holds the most value. However, when it comes to the most universal and consistently useful thing on Earth, it's hard to argue against one thing: knowledge. The ability to learn, understand, and apply information has allowed humans to innovate, survive, and progress throughout history. Whether it's the knowledge of agriculture that allowed us to settle and grow as a society, the knowledge of medicine that has saved countless lives, or the knowledge of technology that has revolutionized communication and industry, the power of knowledge is truly unparalleled. So, while it may not be a tangible "thing" in the traditional sense, knowledge is undoubtedly the most valuable resource on Earth.