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50 billion planets in our galaxy?

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03-01-2011 , 08:53 AM

#76

raymears

self-banned

Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 976

Quote:

Originally Posted by plaaynde

inpeckable

I wonder what are the chances of this word existing somewhere in the universe.

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03-01-2011 , 10:45 AM

#77

plaaynde

Poker Historian

Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 20,288

Quote:

Originally Posted by raymears

I wonder what are the chances of this word existing somewhere in the universe.

Oh. http://www.kgbanswers.co.uk/how-do-u...perly/16774445

Found it nice to use the word, it reflects the diplomatic nature of mine

.

Must have snatched the word from TV and not from a text, spelling it so terribad.

Last edited by plaaynde; 03-01-2011 at 10:54 AM.

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03-01-2011 , 11:45 PM

#78

Croc

journeyman

Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 305

interesting thread...

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03-02-2011 , 12:33 AM

#79

plaaynde

Poker Historian

Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 20,288

Quote:

Originally Posted by Croc

interesting thread...

Can I spot some irony here? Just looked at the last few posts.

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03-02-2011 , 05:31 PM

#80

laurentia

banned

Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 313

Quote:

Originally Posted by madnak

I'm not optimistic that we'll ever "beat" the light speed barrier. Technology can do many things. Breaking the laws of physics? I don't know about that one.

But some people disagree. Maybe it's too much Star Trek.

(Also, if it were possible to achieve that in such a time frame, and if there are sooo many habitable planets in the universe, then it seems we should expect to already see level 3 civilizations out there.)

How can you make any claims about 10 000 years after, considering that an average science graduate knows more science today than the smartest person 100 years ago.

Also you would be able to see a level 3 civilization only in the unlikely case when it wanted to be seen.

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03-02-2011 , 08:18 PM

#81

Stu Pidasso

banned

Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 12,373

Quote:

Originally Posted by MathEconomist

To me, the argument seems pointless even though Max (as I'm interpreting him) is right. I think the interesting question is more like "Where does the discovery that exoplanets in the habitable zone are probably common move our understanding to?" It seems to me that the answer is that what it's an important discovery it doesn't move us very far. To borrow from another source, it seems like to get into contact with intelligent life we (probably) need at least these steps:
1. The right star system (including organics)
2. Reproductive something (e.g. RNA)
3. Simple (prokaryotic) single-cell life
4. Complex (archaeatic & eukaryotic) single-cell life
5. Sexual reproduction
6. Multi-cell life
7. Tool-using animals with big brains
8. Where we are now
9. Colonization explosion

This basically falls under number 1 but what is also needed is fairly easy access to metals.

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03-03-2011 , 12:39 AM

#82

plaaynde

Poker Historian

Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 20,288

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stu Pidasso

what is also needed is fairly easy access to metals.

Good point. That is, easy access to at least iron. Fortunately that is a normal end product when a star burns down, because it is the heaviest element that cannot be fused with net energy gain, and hence iron is relatively abundant through super nova explosions.

What I don´t know is how big part of that iron normally stays readily accessible in the top crust of a planet. When the planet is molten when forming, the major part of the iron goes down to the core because of its high relative weight, as on earth.

Any information about how it is on Mars, for example?

Last edited by plaaynde; 03-03-2011 at 12:48 AM.

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03-03-2011 , 03:27 PM

#83

KingOfFelt

Carpal \'Tunnel

Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 7,877

Quote:

Originally Posted by rizeagainst

Yes. I must be a dick because I point out that people believe ludicrous things in the face of evidence to the contrary. What a dick I am.

In other news, all you guys that constantly say the earth is round are being superdicks to the flat earthers. Don't be a dick to them IMO.

That's not why you are a dick. People convey their opinions (often factually correct) without sounding like a dick. You have a really hard time with this. It extends beyond SMP too.

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