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G'Day Les;
Very cool. I thank you for taking the time to present such a considered case.
I've learned a lot from your terrific posts.
I also respect your final opinion of it all, because you presented it as your opinion.
I think this discussion is influencing my views on it all as well, although my focus is more on how to discuss the topic, given the paucity of empirical data, to make any firm statements, one way or the other.
Your posts serve as a good reminder that so far, what we DO know about what it takes for intelligent life to come about and develop, is quite specific (and keeps growing). The frequency of occurrence of these specific conditions in an infinite universe, leads us to the conclusion that life, (intelligent or otherwise), is probable (ie: probability ~ 1). That's not saying much, because we know we exist !
The second instance of it, is clearly the big question. (That's like stating the glaringly obvious, too … I'm trying hard …)
Personally, I think panspermia or necropanspermia are quite likely, (yep that's an opinion), but there have been some interesting discoveries along these lines lately in support of these views. Possibly even more likely, is that our probes may have transported bacteria or viruses, in some state or another, to the planets we've visited. I'm perplexed about what we'd make of an exo-life finding in our own solar system, particularly if we'd already sent probes to the same location. Also, what might we make of it, if we found bacteria on a passing Asteroid or comet ?
Anyway, I've shared about as much as I'm able to in this thread. It mostly amounts to dimensions of thought about the issue .. which is quite intentional.
Cheers & Regards.
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