Hi Shane & All,
Quote:
Originally Posted by TheAstroGuy
We surely all live in hope that perhaps it won't be just another Microbe discovery etc etc, call me an optimist i like to think positive thoughts always and dream perhaps.
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Live on in hope then by all means but you are about to be disappointed I think.
Quote:
Originally Posted by TheAstroGuy
I may not speak for "All" but surely Astronomically minded people knowing the vast distances between the stars and the sheer amount of them out there would have to conclude that mathematically it is ridiculous to consider life does not exist in some form even if it is the simplest form.
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I tend to approach this question in a factual, non-emotional way. If we're not alone in the Universe so far as intelligent life goes, I'm completely fine with that. On the other hand, if we are alone I am completely fine with that too. It does not affect me in an emotional way at all.
Mine is only one person's opinion (and without empirical evidence all that remains are intelligent guesses and speculation), but I think life is pretty rare in the Universe, while intelligent life (especially space-faring races) is extraordinarily rare -- possibly singular. I think in our galaxy the number of civiilisations is likely to be <10 with the smallest single digit numbers the most likely. 1 only (counting us) is actually quite likely. I know people will say that that'd be a shame if true and awful news, but personally I can't understand why.
I'd suggest if you are interested in the subject (who here isn't), have a gander at "The Rare Earth Hypothesis" by Ward and Brownlee. Excellent reading.
Best,
Les D