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Originally posted by McGooferson
15) That is indeed a very interesting take on the situation. Very possible this is the case, I'm just not sure what use we are to them if this is the case. As you mention we ride horses into battle,
Originally posted by SplitInfinity
reply to post by FormerSkeptic
After the Roswell Incident President Truman tasked Ike with developing a committee of the best and brightest in a variety of fields. Their purpose was to develop a set of protocols that would allow a yet to be developed Agency to have the proper knowledge in how to handle specific E.T. related events.
Originally posted by 1Agnostic1
Non-human (not necessarily aliens, i.e beings from ANOTHER planet) sentient beings more advanced than us exist. This is a FACT not a theory.
The probability for it is too enormous for it to don't be a fact.
Theorically I agree completely with your statement.
But pragmatically and empirically a probability of 1.0000000000001/1 is a fact.
The number of planets having liquid water on their surface is enormous (by the trillions).
'Scientists' try to hide that FACT. ALL of these planets have life.
Millions, if not billions have sentient life.
The scarcity of life is nothing but a myth and militaro-religious propaganda.
I would ask you what is your definition of the "sun" and demonstrate you don't even know what it (the sun) is (I don't either, nor anybody). So, how could you say "THIS" is a fact when you don't even know what "THIS" truly is. You understand?
Originally posted by DJW001
reply to post by 1Agnostic1
Theorically I agree completely with your statement.
Why, then, do fact and theory not agree in this case? Where does the error lie, do you suppose?
But pragmatically and empirically a probability of 1.0000000000001/1 is a fact.
You have stated a nonsensical number to support your case. I assume you wish to state that the odds of there being intelligent life in the universe are certainty. This statement would be correct, as we know of at least one planet that harbors intelligent life: Earth. Unfortunately, we have no way of determining how frequently the necessary factors for its evolution occur, therefore it is impossible to make a truly meaningful calculation of the number of times intelligent life has evolved in this, or indeed, any other possible universe.
The number of planets having liquid water on their surface is enormous (by the trillions).
Name one, besides Earth. (Martian water is currently stored in the form of permafrost.)
'Scientists' try to hide that FACT. ALL of these planets have life.
This is a preposterous allegation which you have not provided any evidence to support. If anything, the current trend among scientists is to over estimate the possibilities for extra-terrestrial life. Something to do with swaying popular opinion in order to get funding.
Millions, if not billions have sentient life.
Here on ATS you will find it necessary to provide supporting evidence for a statement like this.
The scarcity of life is nothing but a myth and militaro-religious propaganda.
Intriguing. Rather than explain the concept of a "militaro-religious" complex here, perhaps you could start a new thread on it. You have nearly enough posts now.
1. This is a very complex subject.
Let's say that to qualify a theory as fact you need to prove it DEFINITIVELY. Then, there is no such thing as scientific fact since science evolves (or, should I say, should be evolving) all the time and a today's fact is a tomorrow's mistakes.
Furthermore, for you to declare something as a fact, you have to rely on scientisits' interpretations and theories to do so.
You have NO WAY to prove nor disprove them.
So, what you do is BELIEVE what they say is a fact.
Even, if indeed it is for them, it's a belief for you.
There is a lot to say on the topics of phenomenon, fact, theory, belief...
My stance, though, is that, sometimes, fact can be proven by logic alone. Empirical evidence being a bonus or confirmation. Problem is, I concede, logic is a word used very loosely by people and even scientists.
That's why, as my username states it, I'm an agnostic. Not only in religious matter, but for everything.
Still, as for any discussion and thought/cognitive processes to be meaningful, we need some axioms and facts that are accepted as true.
In this case, we can say there are, for a fact, trillions upon trillions in the universe of planets and that we are a sentient species living on one of these planets.
Now, to your second point:
2. This number is pretty conservative actually. It means that for us to be the only sentient species in the universe the odds would a trillion to one. If you prefer BELIEVE these odds it's your prerogative. FACT is this is statistically IMPOSSIBLE. Get it?
3. Did you go to Mars to verify the claims that it's only permafrost. Any objective geologist would accept, simply looking at some Mars pix that there have been liquid water on Mars. There also have been an atmosphere. So, at least, life were there. Also, where there is ice (on any planet or moon, there is water... and most probably liquid water underneath.
4. Water (+amino acids) + atmosphere = life.
This is simplified to the extreme but still true. There is no inert body when water is in the mix. Heck, life can even be present without water and in silicium form (instead of carbon).
5. That's the answer to the question: "To whom profit the crime?"
Military because they don't want you to believe they MAY be powerless. (They surely don't want to admit that to themselves either). For the purpose of keeping you in check.
(Abrahamic) Religions because then the Bibles would be known as complete BS.
Agreed, which is why your over-simplifications are unworthy.
You keep using the word "fact." I'm not sure you understand what it actually means. In science, a "fact" is a verifiable observation.
No, you need to have a repeatable experimental protocol that always produces the same results..
Yes, one can simply repeat the experiment or make the necessary observations in the field.
It is merely an act of trust.
An axiom is an assumption, a fact is an observation. One can create many internally consistent logical systems, but not all of them necessarily conform to the observed behavior of what, for current purposes, we can call the "observable world."
One can create many internally consistent logical systems, but not all of them necessarily conform to the observed behavior of what, for current purposes, we can call the "observable world."
Me: In this case, we can say there are, for a fact, trillions upon trillions in the universe of planets and that we are a sentient species living on one of these planets.
You: We can say for a fact that our current understanding of the universe suggests that there is probably a very large number of planets in the universe, and that we know of only one that is inhabited by sentient life.
Me: This number is pretty conservative actually. It means that for us to be the only sentient species in the universe the odds would be a trillion to one. If you prefer to BELIEVE these odds it's your prerogative. FACT is this is statistically IMPOSSIBLE.
You: There is no such thing as "statistically impossible," only statistically unlikely. We do not have a large enough sampling of planets, let alone inhabited planets, to make any meaningful calculation of the prevalence of life in the universe.
You are leaving out minor details like self sustaining organizational structure, metabolism and the ability to reproduce.
Scientists assume that life can evolve spontaneously given the right combination of elements and environment. That does not make it a fact.
Me: This is simplified to the extreme but still true. There is no inert body when water is in the mix. Heck, life can even be present without water and in silicium form (instead of carbon).
You: Speculation.
You're right, but I won't post a book. So I have to oversimplify.