| The Drake Equation = an attempt to estimate the number of extraterrestrial civilizations in our galaxy with which we might come in contact. The equation states that N = (R*) x (fp) x (ne) x (fl) x (fi) x (fc) x (L) where N = the number of civilizations in our galaxy with which we might expect to be able to communicate at any given time; (R*) = the rate of star formation in our galaxy; (fp) = the fraction of those stars that have planets; (ne) = the average number of planets that can potentially support life per star that has planets; (fl) = the fraction of such planets that actually go on to develop life; (fi) = the fraction of such planets that actually go on to develop intelligent life; (fc) = the fraction of such life that are willing and able to communicate; and (L) = the expected lifetime of such a civilization. The current estimate is that N = 0.0000008; however, estimates have occured over a very broad range of numbers due to varying estimates of all the variables. The Fermi Paradox = the apparent contradiction between high estimates of the probability of the existence of extraterrestrial civilizations and the lack of evidence for or contact with such civilizations. The extreme age of the universe and its vast number of stars suggest that extraterrestrial life should be common. Considering this with colleagues over lunch in 1950, the physicist Enrico Fermi is said to have asked: "Where are they?" Fermi questioned why, if a multitude of advanced extraterrestrial civilizations exist in the Milky Way galaxy, evidence such as probes, spacecraft or radio transmissions has not been found. The simple question "Where are they?" (alternatively, "Where is everybody?") is possibly apocryphal but Fermi is widely credited with simplifying and clarifying the problem of the probability of extraterrestrial life. The Zoo Hypothesis = one of a number of suggestions that have been advanced in response to the Fermi parasox, regarding the apparent absence of evidence in support of the existence of advanced extraterrestrial life. According to this hypothesis, aliens would generally avoid making their presence known to humanity, or avoid exerting an influence on our development, somewhat akin to zookeepers observing animals in a zoo. Adherents of the hypothesis consider that our planet and our species may be under close scrutiny without our awareness, such as by surreptitious monitoring by automated equipment located on Earth or elsewhere in the solar system which relays information back to the observers. It is also suggested that overt contact will eventually be made with humanity once we reach a certain level of development. |
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| Just joking.
Not that anyone reads this anyway. |
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| Most of the stuff in that last post has been thrown aside.
I need something new. |
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| Not really.
I was gonna update with things, but meh. I'm
drinking early today, so I can't really focus on one thing for too
long, or else I get uninterested. New summer job on campus. Get to
live and eat for free. That's pretty sweet. New girlfriend. She's
super rad. Ask if you care; I'll gush. New goals for life. I swear
to GOD I'm gonna bust my ass and graduate. I'm really really tired of
the monotony. New...pants? |
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| NEW THINGS YOU SHOULD BE LISTENING TO:
1. Ryan's Hope (new stuff on purevolume)
2. Ryan's Hope (new stuff on myspace)
3. 3-2-1 Activate!
4. Super 8 bit Brothers
5. Rhino Fight
6. The Fulcrum
THANK ME LATER. |
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