Just to add my two bits, If someone wants to run SETI at home as a personal hobby, I have no problem with that. But when NASA is overly Saganized, and uses search for life to justify so many of its missions, it disgusts me. The beauty and wonder of science exploration is sufficient justification (except when I listen to my libertarian side which tells me gov't has far exceeded its role). The NASA "life on Mars" pitches causes me to roll my eyes, and emotionally I become less supportive. I was especially disgusted with the "bacterial fossils on meteorites from Mars recovered in Antarctica" hubbub several years ago. It was trumpeted so loudly when there was so little actually known. While playing the curmudgeon I must confess that I have yet to be convinced that ISS is a good investment. I held that view even before Columbia's demise made it far more tenuous than previously. Yes, the vibrating water membranes are fascinating to watch, and doubtless we will learn from the mission. But it is so expensive and cumbersome. climbing down off soapbox now, Jim ---- Jim Cobb james@cobb.name On Sep 6, 2004, at 11:25 AM, Kim Hyatt wrote:
I know this is likely to bother some folks, but what the heck...
I'm always astonished that scientists and lay persons alike are so willing to accept the possibility that intelligent extraterrestrial beings exist, without the remotest shred of evidence, yet at the same time many of these same people dismiss the possibility that God exists although testimonials of persons who claim to have spoken with God and other evidence abound. Carl Sagan was one such person who comes to mind. His stubborn belief in extraterrestrial intelligences and his concurrent denial of God were both laughable in their twisted logic.
The bottom line is, why waste resources looking for extraterrestrials without the tiniest bit of evidence that such beings might even exist? Where are the "science" and logic in that? To be consistent, such energy would be just as profitable for earth-bound intelligence if it were spent trying to contact God.
Kim Hyatt Architect 1849 East 1300 South Salt Lake City, Utah 84108 801.631.5228 kimharch@msn.com<mailto:kimharch@msn.com>
serius est quam cogitas