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Message: <blockquote data-quote="ColonelHardisson" data-source="post: 291010" data-attributes="member: 363">Re: What I mean....First, just because Fermi has a hypothesis doesn't mean he's conclusively figured out there is no intelligent life. The Drake equation, for example, can be used to show the inevitability of either the existence or non-existence of extrasolar life - that's the nature of mathematics. It all depends on the numbers that are plugged into the equation. Plenty of scientists have come to far less conclusive answers, or to answers that favor intelligent life elsewhere.Second, there have been plenty of scientists throughout the ages who have conclusively proven various things don't exist or can't happen, based on "evidence." Things like heavier-than-air flight, radio waves, nuclear fission, and extrasolar planets. All had detractors who came up with mathematical proof that these things were not possible. Heck, there were theories going around during the time of the early railroads that the human body couldn't withstand more than 35 miles per hour of speed without irreparable harm - I'm sure they thought their science was sound on that one. Theories based on mathematics are fine tools for scientific research, but should never be taken as irrefutable proof of anything, and especially the absence of anything. This would lead to simply giving up on various avenues of research. It was, I believe, the Postmaster General of the US (his name escapes me) who advocated closing down the patent office in 1899 or thereabouts - "Everything that can be invented has been invented" was his reasoning. I'm sure he felt he had good reason to think so, but it was rather myopic thinking.I still don't think intelligent life has visited the Earth. I don't think it's inevitable for it to happen if such life did exist. I also don't know whether intelligent life exists in this galaxy or not, but I won't preclude the possibility, simply because all the reasonings and proofs that can be given can be completely obviated by discoveries in the future. History has proven that time and again.</blockquote>

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