Are we being Visited?Is Michigan a hotbed?

[ccbatson]

More than unlikely...if space and time are infinite [[or approaching infinite), then the odds of being number 1 are infinitely small [[or approaching it).

[Gannon]

Yet the odds of acting like it are nearly even...go figure.

[elganned]

More than unlikely...if space and time are infinite [[or approaching infinite), then the odds of being number 1 are infinitely small [[or approaching it).

Yet it is an incontrovertable fact that given more than one civilization, one must be in "first place", for lack of a better term.

And the one who is first has an equally infinitesimal chance of being there as the one who is last.

Statistics can't inform us on this issue. The possibility [[as opposed to probability) that we are the most advanced civilization in the universe cannot be dismissed until we encounter another which is more advanced.

[elganned]

Yet the odds of acting like it are nearly even...go figure.

I'd probably be moved to comment on this if I had even the slightest inkling of what you are trying to say...

[ccbatson]

Highly improbable and impossible to prove one way or the other....easily dismissed.

[Stosh]

Highly improbable and impossible to prove one way or the other....easily dismissed.

Great choice of words. Just like you!

[Gannon]

Sorry, Elganned, it was an obtuse, compound joke at the expense of our resident doctor.

Yet the odds of acting like it [[number one) are nearly even...or BOUND to happen, as opposed to rarely happen, like 10:1 or 1000:1 or worse.


Following this quote:

More than unlikely...if space and time are infinite [[or approaching infinite), then the odds of being number 1 are infinitely small [[or approaching it).

I felt compelled to argue against the whole of mere human behavioral trends, probably the strongest one fueled by selfishness and greed...that WE often act as if we are number one.



But then the rub...it could've been applied to Cc directly and solely, as well. By now we all know the fun in sparring with the doctor.




He acts as if HE'S number one.

Occasionally. At least. Ahem.

[East Detroit]

If these other worlds know how many material goods some of us have hoarded and our powerful ability to wipe out ourselves with our mighty arsenal.... they'll stay away.

[ccbatson]

We are number one ON THIS PLANET.

[elganned]

But we weren't limiting the topic to just on this planet. Try to keep up.

[ccbatson]

You miss my point there...we are number one on this planet, but that does not have any predictive value for an infinite, or near infinite time and space.