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Well, it was only a few years ago, ya didn't have any evidence of planets orbiting other star systems either. Boy, that sure changed.

I am aware of that. In fact, I directed the head editor at the publisher I worked for to change a book going into a new edition to reflect that fact.

Our galaxy is a big place, most don't realized how big.

Mmmhmmm. And it is only one of many, many galaxies. Most people also don't know how SMALL creation is. For a while, the atom seemed like the smallest part, until sub-atomic particles were discovered, and then it starts getting really crazy.

Fact is, we have no idea what conditions might exist which may support other types of life. Ya see, I've always felt man is really arrogant in this regard.

That is actually my main point. Until we know, scientifically, we have no business making assumptions. Our algebraic equation has one variable too many. I had an instructor at the University of Chicago in a physical science course who marvelled that with all the life on earth, it is all carbon based. Based on what we know, you need long chains, but he figured silicon would be almost as good, and he assumed it was likely an accident of nature that it didn't happen. The same fellow also came up with a proof AGAINST global warming, or "the greenhouse effect" as it was called then (early '80s). Sounds like you are a "glass is half full" kind of guy. I would say we need to know more about the glass.

You got me wrong, I said I felt much of the ignorance regarding astronomy/galaxy/universe was a *hoot*, and were directed at some of your own comments as responses. Public schools and all that. You understand.

Got it. At no point, though, like original author who wrote the article that led to this exchange, that plenty of intelligent people can come to different conclusions than Carl Sagan, which is part of the reason that he made it such a central part of his cosmology.

But since ya brought it up, I sure have seen some objects I was never able to identify. A whole bunch, in fact.
,br> And here you bringing up an interesting point. Of course there are UFOs ... objects flying in the air that remain unidentified. Until they are identified, we don't know if it is a man-made object, an optical illusion, acts of angels or devils, the work of some secret race living under the world or intelligent alien life.

And of course I explicitly did not suggest that you bought into that stuff. With UFOs, Bigfoot and the Loch Ness Monster, I marvel that we still don't get decent video of them even though 80% of the population carries digital cameras with their phones everywhere. I was trying to show that there is silliness on all sides of these questions.

I do not pretend to be a physical science expert, far from it. But my mostly private education was better than average, and quite broad, if not up to date. I also try to remain well-read in my adult life, a large part of the reason I frequent Free Republic, as it is not limited to the strictly political, but also things that other Freepers think worth posting.

I would venture to say that BILLIONS of people doubt there is intelligent alien life in the Milky Way galaxy.

Until we know, scientifically, we have no business making assumptions.

I think you made my point.

Bottom line is everyone is entitled to their opinions regarding this, but the fact is, none of us know for sure.

Considering their are literally *trillions* of planets outside our own solar system, my bet is there are all kinds of life out there. In fact, it would be even stranger or harder to believe, if there wasn't, IMO of course.