| |
XFUT to lugnet.off-topic.debate
In lugnet.space, Mike Petrucelli wrote:
| |
In lugnet.space, Leonard Hoffman wrote:
| |
| |
More than that, we’re assuming the base of any and all life is molecular.
As there are an infinite number of possible molecules, logically there are
an infinite number of lifeforms. That also assumes all life is molecular.
What about energy based lifeforms, or something we have not yet discovered?
|
This theory only applies to organic lifeforms (ie, carbon based ones).
|
Are you sure all organic lifeforms are carbon based. That is a pretty big
assumption. Sure it holds true on earth (at least as far as we have explored)
but what about other planets? Also, you did not comment on my previous
statement:
|
Well, like it was mentioned before: “organic” means “carbon based.”
And no, I’m not 100% sure that all life is carbon based, but seeing as there is
no evidence whatsoever of any other type of life, then, using Occam’s Razor, we
can’t accept it.
And there is always the possibility, but, being a skeptic, means that everything
is a possibility. In order to predict, we have to cut out the likelihood of
what we may find. I’ll grant that silicon and other based lifeforms may be
found, but that the likelyhood is low. From what I remember of my organic
chemistry class, carbon and silicon react too differently for silicon to be a
mass replacement of carbon.
| |
| |
| |
As there are an infinite number of possible molecules, logically there are
an infinite number of lifeforms.
|
|
| |
well, you have to accept the limitations of the laws of physics. that
certainly lowers the number of possibilities to a finite amount.
|
|
Actually, the above statement IS my reply to your statement.
Since there are only a finite number of elements and a finite number of
interactions possibile between elements to form molecules and a finite number of
atoms available, then all possible combinations MUST be finite. but that number
will be MASSIVELY HUGE.
This is similiar to how many combinations LEGOs can be put into. There are some
several thousand different types of LEGOs, and each can be combined in a varied
number of ways, and given a massive supply of each of these thousand different
pieces, one might say that there are infinite combinations possible.
I would argue otherwise. the number may be ridiculously huge, and ridiculously
difficult to even begin to calculate, the number remains finite.
Lets say we’ve got 10,000 different pieces. each can be connected 10 different
ways. and lets say there are 10,000,000,000,000 (ten trillion) pieces in
existence of each type. That means there are 100,000,000,000,000,000 (one
hundred quadrillion, or one hundred million billion) possible pieces that can
each be combined in 10 different ways. I dunno if I should do pieces x
combinations, or pieces ^ combinations (as an exponent), or some other
computation, but either way the number remains FINITE, but like i said above
MASSIVELY HUGE.
To your average person, you could easily say “the possibilities are endless” and
be mostly correct. heck, TLG is currently building more and more pieces
everyday. but no matter how many they make, or even if they make new pieces, it
will remain a finite number of possibilities.
you may do whatever you like. My original theory was within a scifi context,
meaning that fake scientists had studied lifeforms from all over the galaxy and
then developed the theory. it was not meant to say that i think this is the
truth and everyone must agree, which is why i did not post a full responce. you
are always entitled to your opinion and im not going to try to persuade you. i
posted the original message just for fun.
-lenny
|
|
Message is in Reply To:
 | | Re: An interesting Sci-fi idea
|
| (...) Are you sure all organic lifeforms are carbon based. That is a pretty big assumption. Sure it holds true on earth (at least as far as we have explored) but what about other planets? Also, you did not comment on my previous statement: (...) I (...) (21 years ago, 13-Jun-03, to lugnet.space, FTX)
|
24 Messages in This Thread:
  
- Entire Thread on One Page:
- Nested:
All | Brief | Compact | Dots
Linear:
All | Brief | Compact
|
|
|
|
