DailyDirt: What Is This Thing Called Life?
from the urls-we-dig-up dept
Finding life elsewhere in the universe would be a remarkable event. But obviously, we haven’t had much luck so far. Still, there are plenty of folks trying to look at the universe as half-full (instead of mostly empty?). Here are just a few quick links that support the optimistic view that we’re not alone.
- Astrophysicists have run some simulations that indicate that Earth-like planets without a moon might still harbor conditions suitable for life as we know it. Previously, astrobiologists assumed that ETs would need to live on a planet that had a moon like ours… but what do astrobiologists know, eh? [url]
- Other computer models suggest that life might exist on moons of gas giant planets. Simulations like these should probably include an enormous grain of salt, though… [url]
- The tardigrade, aka the water bear, is an interesting little creature and one of the few animals proven to be able to survive exposure to the vacuum of space. Tardigrades are called the “hardiest animal on earth” because they can exist for months in an anhydrobiotic state. [url]
- To discover more interesting biological curiosities, check out what’s currently floating around the StumbleUpon universe. [url]
By the way, StumbleUpon can recommend some good Techdirt articles, too.
Filed Under: astrobiologists, biology, extraterrestrial life, physicists, tardigrade
Comments on “DailyDirt: What Is This Thing Called Life?”
I would love to know that we are not alone!
binary choice
We are either:
1) alone in the Universe
2) not alone in the Universe
Either one is a profound result.
Re: binary choice
What about a quantum superposition of the two states?
Space may not be mostly empty, but at least we can safely conclude it’s mostly harmless
Re: Re:
Space may be mostly harmless, but the dangerous parts can kill you from really far away.
Re: Re: Re:
OTOH, if you don’t care much for sightseeing, you can hitchhike across the universe in a fortnight.
This thing called life
Electric word life
It means forever and that’s a mighty long time
But I’m here 2 tell u
There’s something else
The afterworld
A world of never ending happiness
U can always see the sun, day or night
So when u call up that shrink in Beverly Hills
U know the one – Dr Everything’ll Be Alright!
I dont seem to care about this story at all.
Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
If INTELLIGENT ALIENS from other planets do exist, the very fact that they INTELLIGENT will preclude them from contacting warlike earthlings.
The simple odds is there will be life. But absolutely nothing says that it will be intelligent. With the Universe mind boggling vast the simple statics would indicate it is possible.
If we ever find ‘intelligent life’ will we be able to recognize it? I already find difficult to claim ‘intelligent life’ already on Earth.