Alex Berezow - We Are Effectively Alone In The Universe
Alex Berezow - We Are Effectively Alone In The Universe
It does not matter if intelligent life exists elsewhere. We will never find each other. Key Takeaways
The debate over extraterrestrial life has shifted from fringe to mainstream.
The belief that humans eventually will encounter aliens is based on two assumptions: (1) life evolves easily, and (2) interstellar travel is possible and practical.
Neither of these assumptions is likely to be true.
19 Jun 2023
Adam Frank - Why Oxygen Isn’t Needed To Make Things Burn
Adam Frank - Why Oxygen Isn’t Needed To Make Things Burn
Oxygen isn't strictly necessary for combustion, but it is ideal. Any advanced (alien) civilization probably uses oxygen to burn things.
Key Takeaways
Would combustion always be a potential energy source on any planet capable of incubating a technological civilization? That simple question has led to an examination of an essential chemical process.
Combustion reactions transfer electrons from a fuel to an oxidizer. But there are a number of elements capable of being the oxidizer. So does our hypothetical planet really need oxygen itself?
Oxygen is indeed the perfect element for carrying out combustion, and for a very good reason.
18 Jun 2023
Tim Brinkhof - Did Ancient Greek Philosophers Believe In Aliens?
Tim Brinkhof - Did Ancient Greek Philosophers Believe In Aliens?
Speculation about the existence of aliens goes all the way back at least to the Greek philosophers. Their arguments will sound familiar.
Key Takeaways
Speculation about alien life dates back to the ancient Greeks, and perhaps even further.
The Scientific Revolution expanded our vision of the Universe and revived our belief in the possibility of extraterrestrial life.
Unfortunately, the lack of convincing evidence has ushered in a new age of cosmological pessimism.
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