Why should we think that we're the only life form in
the universe? I believe that we could be surrounded
by other life forms - though not necessarily in the shape and
form that we may imagine.

A few thoughts ...

As we know there are few citizens of modern societies
who would utterly deny the possibility of some higher power
in the universe, some supernatural, transcendental realm
that lies beyond the boundaries of ordinary experience,
and in this fundamental sense religion is probably here to stay.
Then why can't we believe that there is also the possibility
of different life-forms being "out there?" Simply because we
haven't discovered them yet? Perhaps we're not evolved enough?

Dear mhaze,

Thanks for the link.

The fact is that the physics within our universe has been able to produce at least one intelligence capable of interstellar awareness, namely us.

Tell me if I am wrong but the Drake equation would indicate a greater chance of a solar system containing life than that life ever evolving to the point that they were capable of making others outside their systems aware of their existence.

Our own radio telescopes are only capable of detecting the signals we have been pumping into space for a hundred years at a distance of a single light year.

Given that intergalactic communication is certainly one of the great filters it would be interesting to know what likelihood that any of the 1000 civilisations in our galaxy predicted by Drake would be able to transmit an indication of said intelligence to any other capable of receiving it.

I would expect those odds would be extremely low but that would not be a reason to dismiss them even existing which is what the paper seems to attempt.

Give some thought to a question if they knew they are out there would our governments tell us? my answer is no reason, it is more than unlikely if they had a God it would be one of ours, the social impacts would be huge

How can you people possibly suggest that Star Trek & Star Wars are not true!"

Ask Sarah Sea Patrol!

Dear Shadow,

“The Australian Federal Police has referred its investigation into the media leaks from jobs minister Michaelia Cash's office about the raids on the Australian Workers' Union to the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions, to determine whether charges should be laid.”
http://www.buzzfeed.com/aliceworkman/the-afp-has-referred-its-investigation-into-michaelia-cashs?utm_term=.ckNZz7WJzD#.yoxL4vr247

This will be interesting.

Ouch, sorry, wrong thread.