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Probability of life in the universe

Probability of life in the universe

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This question was givin to my class at the end of the year.
What is the probability of there being life in the universe? Some people said that it would be very small and I agreed with the few people who said close to 100% who do you think would be right.

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Originally posted by thechessguy
This question was givin to my class at the end of the year.
What is the probability of there being life in the universe? Some people said that it would be very small and I agreed with the few people who said close to 100% who do you think would be right.
100%. I'm here.

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Originally posted by AThousandYoung
100%. I'm here.
I think he perhaps means extraterrestrial life. I'd still probably say ~100% myself.

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http://www.cnn.com/2006/TECH/science/06/02/red.rain/index.html?eref=sitesearch


IMO, if we get proof there there is other life in the immediate universe, not only does that prove that other life exists, but it is very common.

Think about it--billions of stars per galaxy, and billions of galaxies = almost no chance that life doesn't exist elsewhere.

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Originally posted by Furor
http://www.cnn.com/2006/TECH/science/06/02/red.rain/index.html?eref=sitesearch


IMO, if we get proof there there is other life in the immediate universe, not only does that prove that other life exists, but it is very common.

Think about it--billions of stars per galaxy, and billions of galaxies = almost no chance that life doesn't exist elsewhere.
This has been discussed before.
Claiming that lots of space, or lots of stars, or lots of planets, therefore suggests lots of life is not an argument - it's a claim based on faith.
There might be lots of life in the universe, but there may only be us. Suggesting that the likelihood of lot's of potential sites for life therefore makes the probability higher, ignores our lack of understanding of the nature of the origin of life on Earth.

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Originally posted by amannion
This has been discussed before.
Claiming that lots of space, or lots of stars, or lots of planets, therefore suggests lots of life is not an argument - it's a claim based on faith.
There might be lots of life in the universe, but there may only be us. Suggesting that the likelihood of lot's of potential sites for life therefore makes the probability higher, ignores our lack of understanding of the nature of the origin of life on Earth.
The Drake Equation was developed by Frank Drake in 1961 as a way to focus on the factors which determine how many intelligent, communicating civilizations there are in our galaxy.

Go to this site to experiment with different factors in the equation

http://www.activemind.com/Mysterious/Topics/SETI/drake_equation.html

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Originally posted by thechessguy
This question was givin to my class at the end of the year.
What is the probability of there being life in the universe? Some people said that it would be very small and I agreed with the few people who said close to 100% who do you think would be right.
Well...
Unless I don't exist and am nothing more than the fantasy of someone else from without the universe...

I'd say 100%

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Originally posted by shavixmir
Well...
Unless I don't exist and am nothing more than the fantasy of someone else from without the universe...

I'd say 100%
He means intelligent life. You don't count. I do however.

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there is a good book on the subject. called 'probability 1' kinda gives it away.

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Originally posted by thechessguy
This question was givin to my class at the end of the year.
What is the probability of there being life in the universe? Some people said that it would be very small and I agreed with the few people who said close to 100% who do you think would be right.
I would estimate that there is an accumulation of probabilities all knotted into the personage of "God" that approaches 100% because the sum of "us" + "god" are known to be at least 1 more than what we can account for.


(svw wanders off into a corner to contemplate the hazards of being a clueless old atheist)

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Originally posted by StarValleyWy
I would estimate that there is an accumulation of probabilities all knotted into the personage of "God" that approaches 100% because the sum of "us" + "god" are known to be at least 1 more than what we can account for.


(svw wanders off into a corner to contemplate the hazards of being a clueless old atheist)
Good to see you're posting again, SVW.

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Originally posted by Delmer
Good to see you're posting again, SVW.
How are you Dell? I haven't been keeping up with rhp for a while. I am officially "on vacation" for the next week or so.

I'm getting ready to leave for Driggs Idaho to take a week long horse ride over the mountain from Bates to Rexburg. That will be fun. Going with some of my nephews,nieces, cousins and even an uncle.

We will just take it easy because our city-like butts are not too accustomed to the saddle. lol

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Originally posted by sasquatch672
The immediate universe? As opposed to what? The "far-out" universe?
What I mean by immediate universe would be this solar system and maybe as far out as our closest stars. Where immediate means the area around us.

Small steps sasquatch--we haven't exactly mastered intergalactic travel yet.

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Originally posted by StarValleyWy
How are you Dell? I haven't been keeping up with rhp for a while. I am officially "on vacation" for the next week or so.

I'm getting ready to leave for Driggs Idaho to take a week long horse ride over the mountain from Bates to Rexburg. That will be fun. Going with some of my nephews,nieces, cousins and even an uncle.

We will just take it easy because our city-like butts are not too accustomed to the saddle. lol
Sounds great, SVW. I'd love that. Don't be using up all the horse liniment on yourself.