>>Same thing has been bothering me. The team should know the number of
>>colonies that collapsed from the data they have collected. 

Well, the number that they are citing is "between 650,000 and 800,000". Yes,
it is based on extrapolation of data. That's what is done whenever the
actual number can't be determined. 

Like polling a thousand voters to see which candidate will probably win. It
may not be perfect, but it's pretty good at projecting. I find the numbers
and the method to be entirely credible.

pb

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