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 Rate This Message: http://www.cryonet.org/cgi-bin/rate.cgi?msg=21631