Author Topic: Thoughts regarding Drake's Equation (Read 1307 times)

Skuzzy · « **Reply #15 on:** April 15, 2005, 04:19:33 PM »

Proof is not always needed, otherwise theory would not exist and be acted on. Many proofs were resolved from theory.

In theory, intelligent life could exist on other worlds. Likewise, in theory, the opposite could exist. Either statement is probable. The difference lies in;

"No way in hell life could exist outside of our world".

versus

"While possible, I think it highly improbable life, as we know it, could exist on another planet".

Conceptually, they both mean the same thing, but the latter makes an attempt to honor the probabilites of life. The first statement is based on ignorance, or arrogance, or both and speaks from an emotional viewpoint.

Skuzzy · « **Reply #16 on:** April 15, 2005, 04:21:46 PM »

Let me ask you Thrawn. Do you think it impossible for life to exist on other worlds?

Octavius · « **Reply #17 on:** April 15, 2005, 04:25:08 PM »

This'll just degenerate into a semantics. If we keep the discussion in the operational language and get rid of the 'is of identity', then we can actually discuss the meat of the subject. Instead of arguing about how to argue, lets throw some arguments out there.

vorticon · « **Reply #18 on:** April 15, 2005, 04:25:50 PM »

"Do you think it impossible for life to exist on other worlds?"

on known worlds, if it does we'd never recognize it. however, since current technology cannot even detect the presence of potential life carrying worlds, it could exist. but as far as we know now, those other worlds are nonexistent, and the only position i could take is that life on other worlds does not exist.

Paul · « **Reply #19 on:** April 15, 2005, 04:26:49 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Silat
Have they found intelligent life in NJ?

Oh that was harsh! But well done considering it came from someone in Oregon!

Just playin around, I know

Torque · « **Reply #20 on:** April 15, 2005, 04:27:26 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Thrawn
Because there is no data to support the claim and by definition it's impossible to prove a negative?

Works for religions.

Samiam · « **Reply #21 on:** April 15, 2005, 04:31:41 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Skuzzy

"While possible, I think it highly improbable life, as we know it, could exist on another planet".

Also, "could" exist on another planet is different from "does" exist on another planet. Which is also different from "has existed on another planet in such a way that we might discover it."

Opinion independent of Drake's Law:

Could: Near 100% certainty

Does: more than likely

We are ever able to know it: So improbable that if we ever did the coincidence would be on a scale so as to shake an antheists non-belief in God.

Skuzzy · « **Reply #22 on:** April 15, 2005, 04:32:22 PM »

For some reason Thrawn was poking me with a stick.

I see no reason why life could not exist on other worlds. I left out 'known' worlds on purpose. The knowledge we have of other worlds is so pathetically small compared to the vastness of the Universe, there is really no way we can rule out the possibilty of life on other worlds.

Skuzzy · « **Reply #23 on:** April 15, 2005, 04:34:42 PM »

I am trying to avoid 'semantics' Sam, so as to remove any chance of Oct going ballistic and having a meltdown before his time.

Torque · « **Reply #24 on:** April 15, 2005, 04:41:15 PM »

Why even use other planets?

There was supposed to be no life on the ocean floor or those deep caves in mexico, ops...

Thrawn · « **Reply #25 on:** April 15, 2005, 04:42:00 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Skuzzy
Let me ask you Thrawn. Do you think it impossible for life to exist on other worlds?

No, I think it's highly probable that it does.

"For some reason Thrawn was poking me with a stick."

You made the one statement, that ususally shows up in these discussions about alien life, that gets my dander up.

Skuzzy · « **Reply #26 on:** April 15, 2005, 04:46:23 PM »

Hehe, we all have our hot buttons eh?

Mine is, someone making absolute claims life could not exist outside our world. Or poking fun at people who do believe it to be possible.

Different sides of the same coin, as it were.

Pooh21 · « **Reply #27 on:** April 15, 2005, 04:54:14 PM »

While the universe is so large I am pretty sure there is life on other planets, if it is existing at a somewhat equal level of evolution at the same time as we do is something else, I hope so, and I hope we make contact one day...

Ive always wanted to say "eat hot plasma death alien scum!"

DREDIOCK · « **Reply #28 on:** April 15, 2005, 04:56:50 PM »

Mommy Im scared!

I've never seen it before but,
I actually understood all that!:aok

Chairboy · « **Reply #29 on:** April 15, 2005, 05:47:58 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Thrawn
How do you think this basket will drop?

1. Disease
2. Nanotechnology?
3. Solar flare
4. Gamma event from a nearby exploding star
5. Asteroid
6. Comet
7. Ajax
8. War
and that's just for starters. What about all the stuff we CAN'T predict?

Quote

Originally posted by Thrawn
Ascribing arrogance to a position doesn't detract from it's validity.

A note, you credited me with the quote you're responding to, but you took a Skuzzy quote and changed attribution to Chairboy.