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> The way this graph [of surviving population size over age] has been constructed, a straight line going diagonally downward is neutral, or no aging at all.

Um, no. They introduced age as probability of dying within that context. Therefore a constant age would produce a population size that shrinks exponentially, but never reaches the zero line, just like with radioactive isotopes' constant decay rate.




> The way this graph has been constructed...

It's a log y-axis. A diagonal line downwards is exponential relaxation to 0.


If it is, then the text does not mention it. And I'd doubt it, given that various lines flat out at the same height which therefore looks like zero.


The article does not mention it, but the cited journal article says that:

"Survivorship (on a log scale) is depicted by the shaded areas."

Notably, the journal article shades the area underneath the line that is labeled 'survival' in the linked article.




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