Comments on: Trading my fingers for aliens http://www.dbskeptic.com/2009/04/12/trading-my-fingers-for-aliens/ Skepticism. Critical thinking. Podcast. Community. Fri, 11 Nov 2011 08:04:51 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.4 By: Andy Kaiser http://www.dbskeptic.com/2009/04/12/trading-my-fingers-for-aliens/comment-page-1/#comment-2804 Andy Kaiser Mon, 20 Apr 2009 04:21:12 +0000 http://www.dbskeptic.com/?p=940#comment-2804 <i>Also, people thinking that the universe is so huge and that this means that there must be life someplace, should add that the form of life may be bacterial or such and far removed from popular science fiction accounts.</i> ...and... <i>The sheer number of stars and galaxies suggests that the chances of life existing on other planets are pretty good.</i> For those who are interested in the discussion regarding the existence of aliens, you may also be interested in this week's article: <a href="http://www.dbskeptic.com/2009/04/19/the-drake-equation/" rel="nofollow">The Drake Equation</a> Andy Also, people thinking that the universe is so huge and that this means that there must be life someplace, should add that the form of life may be bacterial or such and far removed from popular science fiction accounts.

…and…

The sheer number of stars and galaxies suggests that the chances of life existing on other planets are pretty good.

For those who are interested in the discussion regarding the existence of aliens, you may also be interested in this week’s article: The Drake Equation

Andy

]]> By: nick farrantello http://www.dbskeptic.com/2009/04/12/trading-my-fingers-for-aliens/comment-page-1/#comment-2796 nick farrantello Fri, 17 Apr 2009 01:51:55 +0000 http://www.dbskeptic.com/?p=940#comment-2796 Thanks for all the comments everyone. I guess I should clarify something. I doubt the existence of flying saucers not the existence of aliens on other planets. Like M Parrott, I also think there probably is life in the universe. The sheer number of stars and galaxies suggests that the chances of life existing on other planets are pretty good. The last I heard science put the number of stars in the universe at “great googly moogly to the tenth power.” But once you invoke those mind blowing numbers you have to continue with that line of reasoning. What are the chances that aliens would be interested in us? one over great googly moogly? Thanks for all the comments everyone. I guess I should clarify something. I doubt the existence of flying saucers not the existence of aliens on other planets. Like M Parrott, I also think there probably is life in the universe. The sheer number of stars and galaxies suggests that the chances of life existing on other planets are pretty good. The last I heard science put the number of stars in the universe at “great googly moogly to the tenth power.” But once you invoke those mind blowing numbers you have to continue with that line of reasoning. What are the chances that aliens would be interested in us? one over great googly moogly?

]]> By: Gary Peterson http://www.dbskeptic.com/2009/04/12/trading-my-fingers-for-aliens/comment-page-1/#comment-2794 Gary Peterson Thu, 16 Apr 2009 01:13:19 +0000 http://www.dbskeptic.com/?p=940#comment-2794 I can already imagine changes in food cuisine! Yum Yum ;-) Imagine the sexual orientations? Those who feel they are Taxed Enough Already would surely use up their ammo blasting these heathen aliens?! Otherwise, yes, those would be delightful outcomes! I can already imagine changes in food cuisine! Yum Yum ;-) Imagine the sexual orientations? Those who feel they are Taxed Enough Already would surely use up their ammo blasting these heathen aliens?! Otherwise, yes, those would be delightful outcomes!

]]> By: DB Skeptic http://www.dbskeptic.com/2009/04/12/trading-my-fingers-for-aliens/comment-page-1/#comment-2793 DB Skeptic Thu, 16 Apr 2009 00:38:36 +0000 http://www.dbskeptic.com/?p=940#comment-2793 <i>Finally, why is it that people think it would be so cool if there were aliens from outer space?</i> What?! Have you not seen the movie "Men in Black"?! Answering more seriously, I can tell you why it'd be cool for me: Because it would bring about worldwide change in the following areas: 1) <b>Science research</b> - This would blast through the roof. More science is a good thing. 2) <b>Decrease in religious emphasis</b> - Most of the world's religions would have to be rethought or discarded. At the very least, they'd have far less of an impact than they do now. This assumes, of course, that any aliens we meet aren't religious missionaries out to spread the Word of K'th'kr'uth'bx. If so, that could get sticky. 3) <b>Better Lifestyle Through Intergalactic Competition</b> - We're no longer competing country by country, race by race. We've got a galactic civilization to compete with! Maybe it's too optimistic, but I can see this causing humans to get along better and cooperate to improve our species as a whole. Yes, that's right - we CAN all get along! Andy Finally, why is it that people think it would be so cool if there were aliens from outer space?

What?! Have you not seen the movie “Men in Black”?!

Answering more seriously, I can tell you why it’d be cool for me: Because it would bring about worldwide change in the following areas:

1) Science research – This would blast through the roof. More science is a good thing.

2) Decrease in religious emphasis – Most of the world’s religions would have to be rethought or discarded. At the very least, they’d have far less of an impact than they do now. This assumes, of course, that any aliens we meet aren’t religious missionaries out to spread the Word of K’th’kr’uth’bx. If so, that could get sticky.

3) Better Lifestyle Through Intergalactic Competition – We’re no longer competing country by country, race by race. We’ve got a galactic civilization to compete with! Maybe it’s too optimistic, but I can see this causing humans to get along better and cooperate to improve our species as a whole. Yes, that’s right – we CAN all get along!

Andy

]]> By: Gary Peterson http://www.dbskeptic.com/2009/04/12/trading-my-fingers-for-aliens/comment-page-1/#comment-2791 Gary Peterson Wed, 15 Apr 2009 23:47:42 +0000 http://www.dbskeptic.com/?p=940#comment-2791 I agree there is no evidence for aliens from outer space, and one cannot argue from absence. I would like however a piece by astronomers or astrophysics types on the problems of space travel and the problems of such life forms being able to make such distances. Also, people thinking that the universe is so huge and that this means that there must be life someplace, should add that the form of life may be bacterial or such and far removed from popular science fiction accounts. Would evolution be the same? Finally, why is it that people think it would be so cool if there were aliens from outer space? That is, what is it about us that motivates such wishfulness? I agree there is no evidence for aliens from outer space, and one cannot argue from absence. I would like however a piece by astronomers or astrophysics types on the problems of space travel and the problems of such life forms being able to make such distances. Also, people thinking that the universe is so huge and that this means that there must be life someplace, should add that the form of life may be bacterial or such and far removed from popular science fiction accounts. Would evolution be the same? Finally, why is it that people think it would be so cool if there were aliens from outer space? That is, what is it about us that motivates such wishfulness?

]]> By: M Parrott http://www.dbskeptic.com/2009/04/12/trading-my-fingers-for-aliens/comment-page-1/#comment-2790 M Parrott Wed, 15 Apr 2009 22:30:25 +0000 http://www.dbskeptic.com/?p=940#comment-2790 I completely agree with the statement of the piece. However I'd question the use of the word "alien". Yes there is no evidence for their exsistance, but you can't possibly prove that they do not exsist. Now UFOs are bull, but aliens quetionably. I prefer to remain agnostic on aliens. There is no evidence for or against their exsistance, but it'd be cool if they did. I completely agree with the statement of the piece. However I’d question the use of the word “alien”. Yes there is no evidence for their exsistance, but you can’t possibly prove that they do not exsist. Now UFOs are bull, but aliens quetionably. I prefer to remain agnostic on aliens. There is no evidence for or against their exsistance, but it’d be cool if they did.

]]> By: Gary Peterson http://www.dbskeptic.com/2009/04/12/trading-my-fingers-for-aliens/comment-page-1/#comment-2787 Gary Peterson Tue, 14 Apr 2009 22:20:28 +0000 http://www.dbskeptic.com/?p=940#comment-2787 Good piece that made some good points about believers and those actually open-minded. Open mindedness means I must follow where the evidence leads, not just be open to wild and unlikely ideas. Believers seem not to have grasped that basic idea. Also, when it comes to things like ESP, the actual findings of scientific research in psychology show interpersonal communication, nonconscious mimicry, and hosts of other findings to be far more wondrous and fascinating than the psychic woofle dust. Good piece that made some good points about believers and those actually open-minded. Open mindedness means I must follow where the evidence leads, not just be open to wild and unlikely ideas. Believers seem not to have grasped that basic idea. Also, when it comes to things like ESP, the actual findings of scientific research in psychology show interpersonal communication, nonconscious mimicry, and hosts of other findings to be far more wondrous and fascinating than the psychic woofle dust.

]]> By: Sandra H http://www.dbskeptic.com/2009/04/12/trading-my-fingers-for-aliens/comment-page-1/#comment-2784 Sandra H Tue, 14 Apr 2009 12:58:10 +0000 http://www.dbskeptic.com/?p=940#comment-2784 Life after death as a ghost moaning around an old building (or given the number of people dying in auto accidents, sitting disconsolately behind the wheel of a junked car)? No, thanks. No matter how bad it got, you go on and on; sounds kindof hellish. Maybe that's why god is such a twerp, I'd be getting cranky after an eternity, too (especially with all those well-intentioned but off-key praise groupies, yeesh). Life after death as a ghost moaning around an old building (or given the number of people dying in auto accidents, sitting disconsolately behind the wheel of a junked car)? No, thanks. No matter how bad it got, you go on and on; sounds kindof hellish. Maybe that’s why god is such a twerp, I’d be getting cranky after an eternity, too (especially with all those well-intentioned but off-key praise groupies, yeesh).

]]> By: Rob Steenwyk http://www.dbskeptic.com/2009/04/12/trading-my-fingers-for-aliens/comment-page-1/#comment-2782 Rob Steenwyk Tue, 14 Apr 2009 03:59:19 +0000 http://www.dbskeptic.com/?p=940#comment-2782 "Amusing for a laugh I guess?" Excuse me, I meant good for a laugh... brain shutting down apparently. “Amusing for a laugh I guess?”

Excuse me, I meant good for a laugh… brain shutting down apparently.

]]> By: Rob Steenwyk http://www.dbskeptic.com/2009/04/12/trading-my-fingers-for-aliens/comment-page-1/#comment-2781 Rob Steenwyk Tue, 14 Apr 2009 03:58:37 +0000 http://www.dbskeptic.com/?p=940#comment-2781 I have a very hard time watching the History channel now, as all they seem to show is bible stories and looking at ancient civilizations that, "just couldn't have produced this kind of architecture without alien intervention!" Every once in awhile they will put someone sane up for 20-30 seconds, but the majority of the show is dedicated to crackpots with absolutely no credibility. Amusing for a laugh I guess? I have a very hard time watching the History channel now, as all they seem to show is bible stories and looking at ancient civilizations that, “just couldn’t have produced this kind of architecture without alien intervention!”

Every once in awhile they will put someone sane up for 20-30 seconds, but the majority of the show is dedicated to crackpots with absolutely no credibility.

Amusing for a laugh I guess?

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