Aleins

[Don Corleone]

yeah, I was really hesitant to use that word. Before Quietus and Lemurmania disavow everything I've said, please allow me to substitute the term "incredibly unlikely events that actually occurred" for 'miracles'. I didn't mean to attach any supernatural meaning to the term and actually tried to be clear on that.

Well, I'm no expert in either field. I just watched a debate between Carl Sagan and the chief of staff for Harvard's hospital debate the point, and both ceded the point that their assumptions were intimately tied to the way they approached the problem.

[Divinus Arma]

both ceded the point that their assumptions were intimately tied to the way they approached the problem.

Hence the frame that I refered to Big J.

Sorry, my college statistics knowledge is rusty. I don't use it at work and I don't have a solid enough memory to continue the argument from that perspective. I meant we have a sample of n = 1. 1 planet with life in a N = unknown population (total planets with intelligent life). If I remember correctly, we need a sample of at least two in order to come to any conclusions about N.

If you were to attempt to come to a conclusion based on available data, then of course one would conclude that there is no extraterrestrial life. Is there a definite answer? Not with the information we have available. I will concede that.

But are the positions equally logical as a theory? Becasue really that is what it boils down to: two opposing theories.

Theory (a): There is intelligent extraterrestrial life.

Theory (b): There is not.

Which theory is more logical and why?

[Big_John]

Theory (a): There is intelligent extraterrestrial life.

Theory (b): There is not.

Which theory is more logical and why?

sure, and coming from a neutral position, i'm completely comfortable saying, "i haven't the foggiest of notions".

[Don Corleone]

Yeah, but as Gawain pointed out, that wasn't an option, unfortunately. I didn't pick WTF, because I took that to mean I didn't understand the question, or why it would be important, but if there was a "no way to discern with the evidence available" I would have picked that option.

[bmolsson]

I promised not to tell......

[Divinus Arma]

I promised not to tell......

What?

[lars573]

I'd believe in aliens before I'd believe in Jesus.

[ichi]

two words,

Michael Jackson

[Abokasee]

two words,

Michael Jackson

HUH? WHAT ARE YOU ON ABOUT?

PLEASE TELL!

[Roark]

I'd really like aliens to exist, but I expect that they don't...

I'd believe in aliens before I'd believe in Jesus.

Well, there's more material evidence of the existence of Jesus than both aliens AND Julius Caesar, so your faith in the aliens will have to be strong.

[King of Atlantis]

well most scientist say that the universe isnt inifinite, but it is still pretty big.

I dont get why people say that were so lucky that earth is so perfect for life. I think it is more of life as we know it is suited for earth. Meaning there could be tons of aliens that live in completly different planets, that we would say are unsuitable for life.

[Divinus Arma]

I'd believe in aliens before I'd believe in Jesus.

Why is that? I am genuinely curious and I would like to stir the pot and kick the beehive.

[Evil_Maniac From Mars]

WTF!? Everyone knows we don't exist! What are you, stupid? D'oh!