Re: OT: Astronomy - we are small

On Apr 23, 5:03 am, Whisper <beaver...@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Rodjk #613 wrote:
On Apr 18, 8:55 pm, Whisper <beaver...@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
TT wrote:
TT wrote:
robinson.n...@xxxxxxxxx wrote:
On 19 Apr, 00:53, TT <g...@xxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
robinson.n...@xxxxxxxxx wrote:
On 19 Apr, 00:20, TT <g...@xxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
robinson.n...@xxxxxxxxx wrote:
On 18 Apr, 23:08, TT <g...@xxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
I think your argument is like saying that if we flip a coin million
times we can't be sure that all wouldn't be "heads"...which is
of course
correct in theory but not in practise.
No, it is not the same because we know the probability of a coin
giving a head.
And we also know there are many many STARS and estimate the amount
as 70
sextillion (7 x 10^22) in the visible universe.
Yes we don't know P(life emerges on a
planet that can support life) ...But as I said, imo it's irrelevant
because of the huge numbers. We do know that it's is not zero since
there is life on Earth.
It is not irrelevant. If the probability is sufficiently low, even if
it is not zero, then it is perfectly feasible for us to be alone. This
is true for any estimate for the number of planets in the universe,
not matter how enormous....unless you consider an infinite universe
with infinite planets.
Yes I understand mathematical side of it. However I see no _reason_ to
assume that probability for life in correct conditions would be that
rare. It's all same matter.
I see no reason to assume it is that rare either,
Good
that has never been
my position. The difference between us is that I additionaly see no
reason to assume it isn't that rare. It is a complete unknown, as far
as I am concerned.
P.S. I don't think it's completely unknown...it's all same matter in the
universe as far as we know.
Correct.  Everywhere we look it's endless streams of galaxies all
obeying same laws of gravity.  There are other laws that would probably
equally apply everywhere - emergence of life, evolution etc - we just
can't 'see' these laws as readily as the effects of gravity.

Just curious, Whisper...
Do you read Talk.Origins by any chance?

Rodjk #613

I know of it - linked from some astronomy type sites.  Obviously didn't
grab me as I haven't been back, but I'll check it out again.  You
recommend it?

LOL
Its more of a swamp than RST. I read RST for the comparative sanity.

You can learn a lot about biology and current understandings of
evolution. There are several biology professor and one philosopher of
science who post pretty much every day.

T.O. was created to keep never ending evo/creationist arguments out of
'real' science groups like sci.bio.evolution. But it can be fun and
entertaining, especially the pun-threads.

Oh, it helps to be a fan of Terry Pratchett.

Rodjk #613
.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Time without end: Physics and Biology in an Open Universe
    ... I thought I was alone in my belief intelligent life could modify ... > the physical laws of the universe for its own purposes. ... > contradiction with the known laws of physics and information theory." ...
    (sci.bio.evolution)
  • Re: OT: Astronomy - we are small
    ... there is life on Earth. ... is true for any estimate for the number of planets in the universe, ... with infinite planets. ... I see no reason to assume it is that rare either, ...
    (rec.sport.tennis)
  • Re: OT: Astronomy - we are small
    ... Rodjk #613 wrote: ... there is life on Earth. ... is true for any estimate for the number of planets in the universe, ... There are other laws that would probably ...
    (rec.sport.tennis)
  • Re: OT: Astronomy - we are small
    ... there is life on Earth. ... is true for any estimate for the number of planets in the universe, ... with infinite planets. ... obeying same laws of gravity. ...
    (rec.sport.tennis)
  • Re: OT: Astronomy - we are small
    ... there is life on Earth. ... is true for any estimate for the number of planets in the universe, ... I see no reason to assume it is that rare either, ... There are other laws that would probably equally apply everywhere - emergence of life, evolution etc - we just can't 'see' these laws as readily as the effects of gravity. ...
    (rec.sport.tennis)
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