3 ms·

Actually we would expect to have 17 other civilizations to meet. The events are independent, so observing our own civilization doesn't affect the odds for the r

Actually we would expect to have 17 other civilizations to meet. The events are independent, so observing our own civilization doesn't affect the odds for the rest of the galaxy.

marshray 14y ago
But we're not interested in Earth, so we'd expect to see 16.999999999 other civilizations.
- mistercow 14y ago
  Yes, but I think you may have a few too many sig figs there.
  - marshray 14y ago
    So does 17 :-)
    - mistercow 14y ago
      I guess the number of sig figs when you write out "a billion" is ambiguous.