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Mr. Hawkings says:

Chris H said:
Mr Hawking isn't exactly qualified to comment in any "official" capacity, the last time I checked he was a theoretical physicist and not a xeno-anthropologist.
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Hawkings is a smart man. But, I take the claims he's the smartest man in the world with a grain of sand.

I think a lot of theoretical physics today is voodoo science. Yes, some of it can be backed up with measurements of various forms in space and on the earth. But, some of it is really pure speculation.

I think the odds are highly in the favor of sensient life existing on other planets. I think the odds are also highly in favor that many have explored space. Whether that means such a civilization can zip by and say hello to us is entirely unlikely. The very vastness of space that makes the odds high is also the reason why relative proximity isn't likely.

Ken
 
Hawkins has a very valid point. I'm sure the American Indian tribes and South American Indian Empires who first encountered the Europeans might agree with him.
 
Ken Stallings said:
...

I think a lot of theoretical physics today is voodoo science. Yes, some of it can be backed up with measurements of various forms in space and on the earth. But, some of it is really pure speculation.

...

Ken
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I must quibble with you here, Ken. to say that theoretical physics is voodoo science is like saying, Aristotle's physics and Hippocrates' medicine are voodoo sciences. While they were both wrong on a lot of things, their speculation was based on the knowledge base of their time. They extended that base greatly. Both are considered the father of their fields.

Modern theoretical physics is just what the name implies. It is theoretical. It is suppose to be speculative. People like Steven Hawkins construct in their minds ideas that are then subjected to analysis and experimentation by others. The problem with their ideas is that we can not prove them by experimentation, so they forever remain theories. Parts of Einstein's theory of relativity are yet unproven. Yet, no one would consider him to be a voodoo scientist.

Theoretical physics is a,so based on mathematics. Mathematics is a language designed to solve such questions. Like all languages, it has ambiguities and is subject to different analysis or ways of expressing terms and concepts. We mere human intellects are also hampered by our lack of understanding of higher mathematics. It is impossible in some instances to explain in a spoken language what can be explained in mathematics. Thus we are left with primitive images that only confuse us.
 
jmig said:
Theoretical physics is a,so based on mathematics. Mathematics is a language designed to solve such questions. Like all languages, it has ambiguities and is subject to different analysis or ways of expressing terms and concepts. We mere human intellects are also hampered by our lack of understanding of higher mathematics. It is impossible in some instances to explain in a spoken language what can be explained in mathematics. Thus we are left with primitive images that only confuse us.
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and there in lies the rub. we are all taught that "numbers don't lie"
in reality, sometimes they do. many scientists and doctors pontificate and give the illusion that they are privy to knowledge the common man either doesn't have, or couldn't understand if he did. the same trick pulled by rome with the bible. it didn't work then either. in my mind, i'm not worried about whether aliens are hostile or friendly. until i meet one it's a moot point. and when that happens, i'll know. you can't prepare for a scenario completely made of unknowns.
 
cheezyflier said:
and there in lies the rub. we are all taught that "numbers don't lie"
in reality, sometimes they do. ....
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I can confirm this statement based on the actions and operations of my employer ... :mixedsmi:

In the mean time, any supposition of life existing outside of this sphere is all theoretical and can or should be considered as non existent until irrefutably proved otherwise.

(And if that takes something like Mars Attacks to prove it then that's what it takes ... )
 
Of course there are aliens! Just go to Washington DC and look around, you will see them, intelligent aliens of course is another matter!
 
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