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Are We Alone in the Universe?

Posted by michael on from the lonely-out-there dept.

cynic10508 writes "CNN is running a story about how ours might be a unique solar system. Of the 100+ systems currently known to contain planets, all contain seemingly only gas giants. However, this may be a case of current technology and techniques being unable to detect planets similar to Earth." There are also BBC and Space.com stories.

6 of 759 comments (clear)

  1. Probablility... by ackthpt · · Score: 5, Funny
    Yeah, seems the odds of an Earthlike system are so remote that this one probably doesn't really exist and we're all dreaming it while drifting through the clouds of a gas giant. Hm.. I should start a religion based upon this and then sue anyone who threatens to reveal my trade secrets.

    Nah, been done before....

    --

    A feeling of having made the same mistake before: Deja Foobar
  2. Are We Alone in the Universe? by phyruxus · · Score: 4, Funny
    Yes. God was drinking at my house last weekend and he 'splained the whole thing to me. He also rated Google stock a strong buy, then turned back into my cat. I love mescal.

    Next story, please.

    --
    "A witty saying proves nothing." ~Voltaire
    "d'Oh!" ~Homer
  3. ET probably won't even care about us by American+AC+in+Paris · · Score: 4, Funny
    Y'know, there are times I hope we are alone in the universe. Consider the two most likely scenarios:

    Scenario 1: We find life outside our planet, but that life turns out to be nothing more interesting than slightly-better-tasting cattle.
    Scenario 2: We find ourselves on the receiving end of Scenario 1.

    Let's face it, if the odds of finding intelligent life outside our solar system are astronomical, then consider the odds of that life being even remotely analagous to us, development-wise. We're either gonna be finding some glorified alien algae or uber-beings who don't even blink when their uber-Cuisinarts routinely vaporize solar systems...

    --

    Obliteracy: Words with explosions

  4. Re:And if we are alone? by flibuste · · Score: 5, Funny

    "The best proof that there is intelligent life outthere is that they haven't tried to contact us"
    Calvin (from Calvin & Hobbes)

  5. Re:We/they may be better off alone for now by jyoull · · Score: 5, Funny

    all those o's reminded me of gooooogle. can we google the universe for life?

  6. Re:We/they may be better off alone for now by LurkerXXX · · Score: 4, Funny
    What if the aliens are even more fanatically religous and want to convert us? Can you imagine being invaded by little gray, big-eyed, Jahovah's Witnesses?

    hmm, I just had a great idea for a DOOM 3 mod...