[MrB]

Actually, it DOES “calculate statistically” that there are no other intelligent/technological beings in our galaxy at least.

The “Drake equation”, even being generous, shows that it would take at least 100 galaxies of the same type as ours to produce 1 technological life supporting planet.

Then, given that these tech life forms could be from other galaxies, you have the speed of light barrier to contend with. Not saying that it couldn’t be overcome with sufficient tech, but just pointing out the hurdle to travel.

[thefactor]

are you talking about life on other planets or the chances of CONTACT with those life forms? it would seem to me that life is likely, but contact with that life is not likely.

[TXnMA]

"The “Drake equation”, even being generous, shows that it would take at least 100 galaxies of the same type as ours to produce 1 technological life supporting planet."

~~~~~~~

Almost every object in this Hubble shot -- covering only a narrow angular region of the sky --

is a galaxy. If Drake is right, you are looking at a region populated by intelligent beings...

[autumnraine]

But doesn’t the water on Mars show that to be a little off? If a planet can support water, can’t it at some point support life?

[Quix]

1. Stanton Friedman handily shreds the Drake equation. See his website.

http://www.stantonfriedman.com

2. Reportedly, there are 3-4 DIFFERENT ways around the supposed speed of light challenge. Some races of ET’s have reportedly laughed uproariously when asked about it.

3. Lots of folks with PhD’s are not near as smart about such things as they think they are.

[ROLF of the HILL COUNTRY]

The mathematical probability equations you cite are based on pure speculation, and are even dumber than the global climate models. A scientific wild @ss guess is STILL a WAG!

We have absolutely NO IDEA how many life-supporting planets there are in our galaxy, nor do we have any concept of how life begins and grows. Until we can get those concepts understood, we can't begin to calculate probability of life elsewhere.

[Condor51]

Actually, it DOES “calculate statistically” that there are no other intelligent/technological beings in our galaxy at least.

The “Drake equation”, even being generous, shows that it would take at least 100 galaxies of the same type as ours to produce 1 technological life supporting planet.

Then, given that these tech life forms could be from other galaxies, you have the speed of light barrier to contend with. Not saying that it couldn’t be overcome with sufficient tech, but just pointing out the hurdle to travel.

Excuse me for butting in and thanks for the 'Drake equation' reference.

anyway.. A while back on Comos the now departed Carl Sagan did that as an example. But there's a few problems with it today.

• The Drake Equation was developed back in 1961.
• The equation only pertains to the Milky Way Galaxy.
  
• Astronomy and cosmology has advanced exponentially since 1961. (1961 is like the Stone Age today.)
• Advances is theoretical physics since then is the same.
  
• Now we have the Big Bang, the String Theory (now obsolete), Membrane Theory (current), Black Holes, Worm Holes and... Alternate Universes.
• And in all this we have 'Space Time' which can be bent (is?) by Black Holes.
• And by Einstein we know Light is bent by gravity. Black Holes play havoc with it.

So traveling faster than the speed of light₍₁₎ by bending Space Time, or using Worm Holes, or even going from one 'universe' to another is all theoretically possible. Add all the current science together and I don't see how we can be alone.

As Carl Sagan would say, 'There are BILLIONS and BILLIONS of Galaxy's. And more Stars in the Universe than there are grains of sand on all the beaches on the earth.'

that's about it, sorry for butting in.

(1) Super Gamma Ray Bursts recently caused a 'little' problem with E=mc². They basically violated the whole darn equation. The solution Physicists came up with to make it work is still ahead scratcher for me.

[calex59]

Then, given that these tech life forms could be from other galaxies, you have the speed of light barrier to contend with. Not saying that it couldn’t be overcome with sufficient tech, but just pointing out the hurdle to travel.

I don't agree with the number of galaxies theory, that said, if there are intelligent beings, and there most likely are, other than us in the Universe then they would simply have to master Alberts E=MC2 and solve how to cross the space/time curve in order to visit us. It could happen because anything is possible. However, we do seem to be short of concrete proof that intelligent beings from else where have visited earth.

Hell, we lack proof that intelligent beings actually live here at all!

[Elsie]

The “Drake equation”, even being generous, shows that it would take at least 100 galaxies of the same type as ours to produce 1 technological life supporting planet.

OH?

Just what does it take to PRODUCE life?