Number of ET Civilizations In Our Galaxy Is 37,964 544
KentuckyFC writes "The famous Drake equation calculates the number of advanced civilizations in our galaxy right now. But the result is hugely sensitive to the assumptions you make about factors such as the number of habitable planets that orbit a host star, how many of these actually develop life and what fraction of these go on to become intelligent etc. Disagreements about these figures leads to estimates for the number of advanced civilizations ranging from 10^-5 to 10^6. Now an astronomer in Scotland has worked out how to make the calculations more precise so that different theories about the origin of planets, life and civilizations can be compared. His calculations say that the rare-life hypothesis predicts only 361 advanced civilizations in the Milky Way now. However, the so-called tortoise and hare hypothesis predicts 31,573 and the theory of panspermia says that there ought to be 37,964 extraterrestrial civilizations more advanced than our own in the Milky Way."
yuck. (Score:4, Funny)
yuck.
Re:yuck. (Score:5, Funny)
Like I said before, it adds flavor to a rather dull blend.
Re:What a great example! (Score:5, Funny)
The original estimate was 32768 and an overflow flag.
Re:My estimate (Score:5, Funny)
1.
Is that the mice, or the dolphins?
Re:What a great example! (Score:5, Funny)
It must be right, because the answer came from a computer.
Re:my theory is 1 civilization per galaxy (Score:5, Funny)
I follow the Mass Effect way of thinking. A handful of civilizations, each with dramatically polarized stereotypical traits, and who speak English with perfect North American accents, regardless of the structure of their mouth(s) and/or vocal cords (assuming they have them...).
Re:What a great example! (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Suspiciously absent (Score:3, Funny)
If Trainspotting's taught me anything, it's that the Scots have a severe sense of self-loathing, after being colonized by "wankers" for centuries. So it's really not surprising that a Scottish astronomer would assume that other species are more advanced, rather than less so. I'm sure his English colleagues would (uniformly) disagree.
Re:What a great example! (Score:5, Funny)
But the question didn't. We should make a bigger computer to determine what the question should have been.
Re:Suspiciously absent (Score:3, Funny)
Comment removed (Score:5, Funny)
UK Ministry of Defense publishes UFO Reports (Score:4, Funny)
http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/europe/10/20/britain.ufo.sightings/index.html [cnn.com]
How many of that have stargates? (Score:4, Funny)
How many of that have stargates?
Re:Aliens Cause Global Warming (Score:5, Funny)
Re:What a great example! (Score:3, Funny)
Give him a break, he's still working on an old Pentium system.
Re:What a great example! (Score:5, Funny)
Re:What a great example! (Score:3, Funny)
Done!
Answer just in:
Hmm... I always thought something was fundamentally wrong with the universe...
Re:Where to find them? (Score:4, Funny)
we are at the outskirts.
and everyone knows that the rich flee to the suburbs. That goes in line with civs that flee the core.
Re:What a great example! (Score:3, Funny)
and why did I read that as early penguins?
Anyhow: I for one welcome our new extraterrestial penguin overlords!
Re:Here is an interesting one. (Score:5, Funny)
That's probably because they assume too many spherical cows.
Breaking news! (Score:4, Funny)
It's now 37,962. The Qnak'k'z of Kuberon II just set off a prototype nanoplasmic bomb that wiped out the whole planet. The timid and peaceful Fnumri of Kuberon VI's third moon were not directly affected, but the flash gave them such a fright they all died of double heart attacks. Sad indeed.
Oblig. xkcd (Score:2, Funny)
Indeed. Succinctly: http://xkcd.com/384/ [xkcd.com]
A few quotes from some famous people: (Score:3, Funny)
God: Bender, being God isn't easy. If you do too much, people get dependent on you; and if you do nothing, they lose hope. You have to use a light touch, like a safecracker or a pickpocket.
Bender: Or a guy who burns down a bar for the insurance money!
God: Yes, if you make it look like an electrical thing. When you do things right, people won't be sure you've done anything at all.
37,964 is nice, and all, (Score:2, Funny)
but the real question is how many are registered to vote in Chicago?
Re:As always, no. (Score:5, Funny)
I've seen a lot of Stargate, and if I've learned anything, it's that pretty much all alien life looks like us, develops civilizations nearly identical to our own history, and speaks english.
You need to do more heavy research!
Re:My assessment (Score:3, Funny)
Nevermind all that. Do you know know what apples is?! And if so, how?
Re:What a great example! (Score:1, Funny)
And this was modded +5 Funny... how????
Re:As always, no. (Score:3, Funny)
That theory is backed up by Star Trek. Where there are few alien civilizations that differ than us in their appearance, and they too all speak English (Some of them have their own language, like the Klingons, but they can all speak English very well)
Re:What a great example! (Score:3, Funny)
Congratulations, you now hold the unbeatable record for "Shortest +5 Funny Comment Ever". Comments like this are indeed what make reading Slashdot worthwhile.
Re:Aliens Cause Global Warming (Score:4, Funny)
Yeah, thats why we have this crazy velociraptor problem here in L.A.
Re:Here is an interesting one. (Score:4, Funny)
But wait...if the cows are spherical then how do we know they are always facing north?
Re:Here is an interesting one. (Score:3, Funny)
Reminds me of an astrophysics joke:
Q: How many astrophysicists does it take to change a lightbulb?
A: 2 ± 53
Well, I for one welcome ... (Score:3, Funny)
... our 37,964 overlords.
Re:What about T I M E ??? (Score:4, Funny)
With NTSC analog TV going away next year, one of our big identifiable sources dies
True, but any alien civilization that has been viewing our broadcasts has been given fair warning of the switch and have been told where they can obtain a digital receiver box with a government coupon.
Re:Where to find them? (Score:3, Funny)
You can tell by all the mini-malls and Chilis in orbit around Mars.
Re:Advanced? (Score:3, Funny)
How can there have been other civilizations starting and finishing in 6000 years? Especially when there is NO record (in holy texts) of god creating them. :-)
Comment removed (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Here is an interesting one. (Score:2, Funny)
Hey, stop poking fun of my girlfriend!
Re:Aliens Cause Global Warming (Score:5, Funny)
I don't mind the normal velociraptors, but I do try to avoid the crazy ones.
Re:Here is an interesting one. (Score:4, Funny)
Ah yes, the classic mistake ... cowrelation does not imply cowsation.