X-Message-Number: 21631
Date: Sun, 20 Apr 2003 10:25:37 -0400
From: Thomas Donaldson <>
Subject: CryoNet #21619 - #21630

For Mike Perry:

Though it is very popular in science fiction, the notion that the
Galaxy has many civilizations falls upon one simple fact: even now,
with all the (increasing) restrictions of planets habitable by
and suitable for the evolution of technophilic (intelligent) life
there is a range of millions of years between the birth of each
such planet and others. This essentially means that the very first
expansive civilization (notice I did not say replication) would
take over the Galaxy relatively quickly, before we or any other
had even the time to become human beings rather than apes. We
would never even have come into existence.

And why should expansion occur? Because the more of the universe
you control, the better you can control your own fate, whether
or not you wish to replicate yourself. 

For Scott Badger:

What you say is all very well, but do you have empirical ie.
experimental evidence that we are simulations? And supposing that
we are, what sort of experiments would allow US to show that we
are (I can imagine experiments doable by 3rd parties not in our
"simulation", otherwise known as universe, but not experiments
WE can do).

If it excites you to chase fantasies into fantasies of fantasies,
and so on and on, that's fine. If I'm mistaken and you were joking,
that's fine, too (but I note no :) ). But it remains that you 
haven't given any argument at all for your idea.

             Best wishes and long long life for all,

                    Thomas Donaldson

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