3 ms·

If the argument stated above is correct, there is an awful waste of space. (Thanks, Carl!) There is nothing in physical law to suggest that here is substantial

by ISL 8y ago

If the argument stated above is correct, there is an awful waste of space. (Thanks, Carl!) There is nothing in physical law to suggest that here is substantially different from anywhere else in the universe. To believe that here is manifestly different from every other place in the universe is a really surprising claim.

mdpopescu 8y ago
First, we know with absolute certainty that here is substantially different from anywhere else: we know there's life here, we haven't found life anywhere else. (And the null hypothesis is that we haven't found it because it doesn't exist.) Second, it's a waste of space only if 1) it was created on purpose and 2) the purpose wasn't "to allow us space to expand". If either of those is false, I don't see how it can be called "a waste of space".
- ISL 8y ago
  First, we know with absolute certainty that here is substantially different from anywhere else: we know there's life here, we haven't found life anywhere else. I'll take the other side of that bet. What odds are on offer (10^15:1? 10^80:1?)?
  - Anderkent 8y ago
    Wait, are you saying you'll take a bet where you pay 10^15 to 1 if we do not find life out there? I'll take you up on that for $0.01 on my side.
- goatlover 8y ago
  > First, we know with absolute certainty that here is substantially different from anywhere else: we know there's life here, we haven't found life anywhere else. We haven't even ruled out life existing on Mars or under the ice of Europa, let alone X light years away.
- gnaritas 8y ago
  > First, we know with absolute certainty that here is substantially different from anywhere else: we know there's life here, we haven't found life anywhere else No we do not. We haven't looked anywhere else, we don't yet really have that ability. There's no reason at all to believe this place is special.

3 ms·

If the argument stated above is correct, there is an awful waste of space. (Thanks, Carl!) There is nothing in physical law to suggest that here is substantial

by ISL 8y ago

mdpopescu 8y ago
First, we know with absolute certainty that here is substantially different from anywhere else: we know there's life here, we haven't found life anywhere else. (And the null hypothesis is that we haven't found it because it doesn't exist.) Second, it's a waste of space only if 1) it was created on purpose and 2) the purpose wasn't "to allow us space to expand". If either of those is false, I don't see how it can be called "a waste of space".
- ISL 8y ago
  First, we know with absolute certainty that here is substantially different from anywhere else: we know there's life here, we haven't found life anywhere else. I'll take the other side of that bet. What odds are on offer (10^15:1? 10^80:1?)?
  - Anderkent 8y ago
    Wait, are you saying you'll take a bet where you pay 10^15 to 1 if we do not find life out there? I'll take you up on that for $0.01 on my side.
- goatlover 8y ago
  > First, we know with absolute certainty that here is substantially different from anywhere else: we know there's life here, we haven't found life anywhere else. We haven't even ruled out life existing on Mars or under the ice of Europa, let alone X light years away.
- gnaritas 8y ago
  > First, we know with absolute certainty that here is substantially different from anywhere else: we know there's life here, we haven't found life anywhere else No we do not. We haven't looked anywhere else, we don't yet really have that ability. There's no reason at all to believe this place is special.