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From: TEDtalksDirector
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  • Uhoh... Comic Sans!

  • What I don't understand is, why should life > no life?

  • The way you talk gives you the same. Judging is a lot easier than understanding you stooge. :)

    At least she is trying to live and understand. She would probably be a million more times interesting than you by far lol.

  • its fun to do such research but I really hate this part that bringing something from outside our planet is way too dangerous for us...

  • Comic Sans yey =P

  • isnt that font?

  • screw the kids

    horay for science!

  • When you make a suggestion to feed starving children and you get thumbs down, that's sad. But hey, that's the american mentality. Think locally, Fuck Globally.

  • Exploring the space around us and the life it hosts is very important in order to advance the human race.

    There is money being spent on many not life saving things like games, movies and religion.

    Some people have the brains to see the importence of understanding the complex things in life and some people are as simple minded as you.

    Global effects local and in case you haven't noticed this planet and the life on it is far from perfect so we need to think out of the box.

  • I'm actually all for thinking outside the box and exploration. Not for Nasa tho. Sorry it's only my opinion so don't worry about it.

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  • I don't understand this kind of thinking. It's not one or the other, if we want to feed all the starving children of the world, it's not like we couldn't do both. What's the point to all this? If we discover life on another planet, that would be a huge scientific discovery. It could help us understand our origins. The day we stop being curious about the world around us will be the beginning of the end for our species.

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  • There was / is extraterrestial life on Mars and soon everyone will know.

  • you sir are an idiot

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  • and1calvin, you dont have to watch it then... and yes I second that you are an idiot

  • Our entire existence is based upon the mathematical probability of an eventual outcome of possibilities within a field of energy relationships, and as this outcome is well and completely documented by the very existence of our own reality, simply doing the math proves beyond any shadow of a doubt, that life has and will occur many times throughout this universal continuum. Therefore the unanswered question is can intelligent, compassionate life actually evolve from the process.

  • Life on Mars ... 3 possible situations.

    1 - separate generation from Earth life.

    2 - Earth life was transported to Mars.

    3 - Mars life was transported to Earth.

    Interesting to think about ...

    and consider a 4th possibility -

    4 - Both Mars and Earth life first evolved on an earlier planet ...

  • "It's probably hiding"

  • I'll pay any amount to be the first guy to step on Mars. And if I meet those bastard aliens I'll show them my Kung Fu skills!

  • What an insightful comment, although the intricacies of your argument eluded me. Perhaps you could elaborate... !_!

  • What if they hate water, and they are nothing like us. They remember each other and work as one, yet are still individuals? They want to help but not interfer too much, as their ethics have taught them better. They planted stuff so that we'd seek for ourselves & destroy what we don't need. They'll probably kill you if you go over there, or they might be gone already. Do we have some hidden? I've had some nightmares about that.

  • microbes do form "biofilms" and communicate with "quorum sensing" and act as one entity, even though they are separate individuals. In contact with multicellular organisms they can alter the cells to communicate with them and alter their communication to communicate with the organism... they are able to evolve horizontally and even upgrade the DNA of multicellular organism.

    multicellular organisms are only one twig on one branch of the tree of life.

    By count you are only 10% human cells.

  • I was doing a "what if" thing, and I thank you for your information.

  • "only 10% human cells..." That's an interesting statement. I'm arranged in a human form. I think that's the important thing: the map.

    We're not a very complicated species. We're an odd end in evolution. Look at the dinos running around. They're chickens.

  • I respectfully disagree we are intensely complicated machines. So intense we don't understand how the human form works. We still use terms like junk DNA for the unknown.

    For all we know, with the study of fractals we can each be representations of entire universes with each person being a sub atomic particle, and the sub atomic particles that make us up are entire universes as well.

    For hundreds of years we have been studying physiology and we are still light years away from answers

  • Yes, we're complicated. I guess I meant that in a self defeating way. For intelligent life, we're disappointing.

  • That 10% number is very deceiving.. We host other life but we are not S. Areus, E. coli, or S. pyogens. Nor are we the H20 that flows through us.

    A car is not the oil that it uses or the people that it requires to operate.

    I don't think people who aren't in the biological sciences understand that.

  • How far does a car get without oil?

    Compare people who grow up on farms, to people who grow up in a sterile environment.. It's those from the sterile environment with high rates of allergies. Eczema patents had 80% cure rates from the introduction of missing microbes.

    Cells themselves are quite advanced, and in regards to cell complexity we are far from the most advanced.

    Take "Wolbachia" for an example in insects.. It's more like a driver/tinkerer in a car, then the oil.

  • If your not being rhetoric, I don't know anything about cars.

    Forget cells. We don't even need to get that small in terms of mass. We have more questions than answers when it comes to our own nervous and reproductive systems. Then on to all animals' genetics is a never-ending hole.

    My point is one can exist without the other (may not function), but with innovation we may be able to replace them. I'm saying these numbers are misleading if you aren't familiar.

    Are you disagreeing with me?

  • It's paramount to include that the person who grows up in a sterile environment will actually be more healthy, all other things being the same, until they are introduced into a new environment.

    You can take the farmer and place them in Zimbabwe and their former exposure wouldn't help them at all.

    Your example is all about the environment, and an initial exposure to viruses and the resulting antibodies not the constant exposure.

  • what does this people know about life on mars?? maybe the aliens don't  need oxygen or water, maybe they have a element similar to Oxygen or a similar element to water etc.

    I bet that when we discover life in another planets, people will ask, If god created humans, did he also created aliens?? and religions will not be able to answer that question.

  • religions cannot survive the space age since it destroys the last remnants of human superiority.

  • Not all Religions sadly...since they all create dogmas.

  • Richard C Hoagland

  • Ever wonder why some people are nuts about the Moon and Mars and say that there's stuff on it when everyone"KNOWS" different? You should take a closer look. This is originally from Richard Hoaglands Mars - Vol 3 - The Moon and Mars Connection (Part 1). Please, watch it all. Oh yeah, this is so long ago Hoagland's hair is brown. A little over a decade ago

  • What she forgot to mention is that she works for the military industrial complex. The amount of funding that these types of conferences pool together goes mainly to developing technologies aimed at more effectively killing people.

    This however is nothing new, as almost all research and technology goes through the pentagon, always has, and always will.

    So here is the paradox, we are on a mission to find new life through the same technology that's used to figure out how to kill existing life.

  • "she works for the military industrial complex"

    Would u be so kind as to provide supporting evidence of that?

    "The amount of funding that these types of conferences pool together goes mainly to developing technologies aimed at more effectively killing people"

    What in Christ's name are u talking about?? Just how do conferences like TED "pool together" funding, let alone funding for research into technologies for killing?

    FYI if u don't explain yourself, we can all safely assume u r an idiot.

  • The first goal of any scientist or entrepreneur is to get people to give them money. TED is for the most part just a soapbox for people to spread their ideas, or to try and sell something, nothing more.

    Penelope Boston, like many American scientists, is a contractor for the pentagon. If you want links pm me.

    You can do your own research with the following keywords:

    LExEN, Cave Drones, DoE, Microbiology, Mars Society, DoD, ISS, Complex Systems Research, NASA, NIH

  • Alright, before we get into a nasty argument, how about u make a little effort to clarify your points:

    "The first goal of any scientist or entrepreneur is to get people to give them money."

    By "first goal", do you mean chronologically (as in, they have to get money before they can proceed with their research), or are u saying that the acquisition of money is their overarching priority? And, if the latter, are you saying that the pursuit of that money is strictly for personal gain?

  • Yes, funding, you got it.

    PM is private message, me.

    LExEN stands for "Life in Extreme Environments".

  • I'm not sure what "pm me" means, but, yes, pls do provide your links. I already googled the first 2 terms u wrote & I'm beginning to think u r either putting me on or delusional (Lexen is a juicer. Cave Drone is a song... u just plucking these things out of the bowels of yr mind?) I see zero evidence that Boston's working for the military, & the idea that her research is for bio-warfare seems to me like the claim of a paranoid personality. I'm beginning to think I'm wasting my time here.

  • Also it should go without explanation, but all of these people who are contracted out by the government, are merely conducting research that ultimately is used for defensive purposes. The majority of funding does not come from private sources, but from the tax payers via the government. That's just how the system works here, and many other countries as well, but the U.S. is by far the worst.

    Bostons work will likely aid in the upcoming age of bio warfare in the middle east/Russia.

  • the title made me believe it was real.its a crock of bullshit.and it should be band.bullshit and lies

  • LOL @ 1:27

    Whats up with the SS Officer on mars?

  • > How long would any traces of life remain on

    > Earth if our atmosphere got blown off.

    Thanks. Now I'm going to be laying awake at night worrying about the possibility of 6 billion people all exhaling at once.

  • Boston never mentions the possibility of finding only extinct life on Mars. When she throws out that 25-50% probability of "life on Mars" figure, it would be nice if she made some distinction there.

    Also, this business about, "if there's life there, it's probably hiding", seems kinda naive. Hiding from what? OK, predators, sure - but are all the predators hiding as well? Why would this be so fundamentally different than the situation here on Earth, where life is hard not to stumble over?

  • She spends her whole life looking for snot deeply hidden in other planets. How much money did she con the politicians out of for this project? That money would have been better spent figuring out how to launch nuclear waste and other massive piles of trash out into the vastness of space.

  • I love how she feels she can just throw out percent chances that there is life on mars. Well, I think there is a 100% chance she has no idea what she is talking about.

  • Well, she didn't "throw" that percentage out based on nothing... nor did she posit that percentage as concrete, rather as her own estimate. Her case is pretty strong considering the water content of Mars, and life's ability to flourish in some pretty wicked conditions here on Earth. Unicellular organisms on Mars aren't that much of a stretch, especially considering the planet's geological history (past large bodies of water, thicker atmosphere, etc). I'm still hoping for a Europa visit though!

  • They should get some kind of voice coaching, it's annoying to hear her voice go up and down within one vowel.

  • Who pays for this old lady to persue her science for science sake wastes? Her body imagage shows vanity is still alive and well when the grants are handed out. Lady -you are near on 60 so please hide that used and saging body. I cannot take you seriously.

  • ssproutz,

    Basic research is never a waste and merely writing the above shows that you were not listening.

    Further, the fact that she is unattractive is irrelevant, as is her style of dress. In any case, I hope I am as healthy and vibrant as she when I'm 60. IF I'm lucky enough to survive that long.

  • Wow. This is unsual for TED, but, there seems to be very little in this video that deviates from the stupid.

  • Unsual?  stfu.

  • iiiironyyy

  • i think its quite important to know how abundant life is in the universe, and how simple/complex life is elsewhere in the universe. if life of a variety of different stages of development is proven to be abundant, most religions on this planet are proven to be wrong one more time. it would tell us that the universe probarbly wasnt created for us, and that we should take care that our mistakes dont cause our extinction instead of waiting for nirvana or heaven or armageddon or whatever.

  • If you really need all that to realize the universe wasn't made for you then it's too late anyway.

  • You probably never read War of the WorLds, ignorant piece of shitte. Don't lie, can't even spell.

    Watching the movie doesn't count.

    Shut your misogynist mouth.

    Anyways, sick vid, fuck religion. Educate and organize.

    XVX for life, R.A.S.H. 'til death.

  • Never make it past the moon and live?

    Oh yee of little faith!

    I have been there and back again! It is lonely between the stars...

  • If she wants to find exotic life forms in exotic places, she should come to New York.

    No way will NASA actually look for life on Mars, because their funding will disappear when they don't find it. Better to keep sending one probe after another that "discovers" water on Mars. They know that that will succeed.

  • "There are things we don't know, we don't know."

    Donald Rumsfeld (aka 007 villain)

  • this is a boring presentation

  • You should be thankful to the Magic Pink Unicorn for not striking you with lightning for worshiping the wrong god.

  • oh noes you didn't

  • I'm sure the entire scientific community is in on this massive conspiracy, right?

  • Let's consider for a moment that electronic semiconductors (aka Electronics) are based on the quantum mechanical model of the atom, it's nice to see that you actually accept the "random" world more than you ever dared realise =)

  • if god didnt want us to explore why give us this brain.every thing we dont understand is made up to be evil get real stop beliveing in fairy tales science is the truth.

  • It is these theories that you say have no basis in reality that allow you to watch this video and read this comment.Since you obviously have no idea about science you can at least feel thankful to what is has to offer to you. Unlike god science does not require you to acknowledge its existence in order to benefit from it, luckily for you.I challenge you to try using your god to treat your illness or talk to your family that leaves on the other side of the globe.

  • "Then there is the stuff that people make up called theories and which has no basis in reality but some call science."

    It strikes me that even though I have just jumped away from my rooms flooring, several times, I am every time returning to it. If my jump-land did not occur in the surroundings we have chosen to label "reality" under the influence of the phenomenon we have chosen to label "gravity", then where am I, why am I pulled into my chair and what have you done with my cupcakes?

  • You are an idiot.

  • i agree with you the big bang is out there but the thing is what is god,why does it vary in differnt countrys,the way i look at it,"god" is a tool, a very powerful tool to control large populations of people,i think its sad that ,or discusted rather that humans base there morals on fear of punishment or promise of reward after death,i am a very hartful person,but i also understand that i only know what im told,religon shouldnt contradict common sense.blind faith can make people insane..

  • This channel is so awesome .

  • It's more then awesome, it's on top of human developement. What everyone should be preoccupied with.

    Think like a universal conciousness with individuality. ;)

  • Religious fanatic fundeamentalists (Islamists today) and Technology fanatic fundamentalists (Nazi Germany) are the same - both are limited, finite, close minded and hate the other filled. Why is that? Could it be about the human condition? Seek the truth and don't DISbelieve 'the other' just because you do not understand or agree with them or perhaps because you have limited insight, intelligence and vision.

  • Don't label people who follow islam as "fanatic fundamentalists". Think about what you're saying before saying it. The "terrorists" are not people who follow islam or have gone astray.

    Also the media which does its fair bit in demonizing islam.

  • "Also the media which does its fair bit in demonizing islam."

    Islam demonises itself. The media doesn't have to embellish with all the scheduled beheadings, stonings, amputations, genital mutilations, beatings, death threats, assassinations, etc.

    You must be tying yourself into a pretzel trying to rationalise all these human rights violations and theocracies done in the name of Islam.

  • "Could it be about the human condition? Seek the truth and don't DISbelieve 'the other' just because you do not understand or agree with them"

    There are, or ought to be absolutes which we can all agree demean the human spirit. Theocracies and Nazi Germany have in common a dogmatic devotion to an authority, with dissidents being tortured or executed. It isn't human condition, it's a natural phenomenon that arises from censorship of criticism by brute force.

  • Annunaki Relics should abound the surface of Mars. Who would know though as Never A Straight Answer (NASA) can never be trusted 100%.

  • So when humans start living in extraterrestrial colonies, they become the dwarves from Lord of the Rings.

  • everybody is a retard

  • I note that the video is from Feb 2006. Surely there have been some talks about the Pheonix lander from earlier this year? Or is the data still been processed?

  • To the person that brought up religion: You should read Arthur C Clarke's 3001: All the people that still beleived in God and followed a religion were moved to the moon, Callisto. Not a bad idea, shame we'll have to wait 998 years.

  • We will have blown the moon up by then :)

    fucking moon. Sitting there, and once in a while, blocking out the sun.

  • I meant Callisto, the moon of Jupiter. Also, it would be 993 years not 998.

    Just to correct my pisspoor mathematics.

  • so, anyone up for living in a lava tube then? I'm all for exploring the solar system but I'd rather live on earth personally! and can people just stop arguing about religion on TED video comments? its getting really tedious.

  • Ah but its not about the comfort! Its about the exploration. Medicine shouldn't taste nice and exploration shouldn't be comfortable :-)

  • I just hope that in the future when mankind does colonize Mars it leaves religion behind on planet earth where it belongs to the christian retards and all religious freaks.

  • This is science video. Religious people go be religious someplace else.

  • heehee, people have funny comments, XD

  • geez - can't even have a science video on youtube wihout it falling into a religious war.

    The religious debate being injected into every tiny little thing is so damn boring.

  • "The religious debate being injected into every tiny little thing is so damn boring."

    They are jealous of all the cool stuff everyone else does, that's all.

  • "They are jealous of all the cool stuff everyone else does, that's all."

    Yeah, I think so too.

  • "Why did the atheist go to hell? He didn't know why. Good night. I'm going to sleep. you bore me."

    Maybe you should turn to your holy book for some Friday night entertainment. That shit's pretty hot with all the ejaculation, incest, rape, and torture. Rawr.

  • "Do cars exist because of a random explosion out of nothing? Which is more difficult to create: a car, or a human? For there to be an intelligent design, there must be an intelligent designer."

    Please stop spamming. We really don't care about your delusions and ignorance, however you are trashing the comments section of a very interesting video.

  • You saying god is real?

    wish there's proof

  • I thought natural processes gave us sunshine and rain.... But you're saying an invisible sky daddy does it? Interesting!!

  • Who tells you to stop at an intersection, the traffic light or the person that controls the traffic light?

  • "Who tells you to stop at an intersection, the traffic light or the person that controls the traffic light?"

    And who controls the man who controls the traffic lights?

    Haha, don't expect a serious debate with me. I know better than to debate a fundie like yourself. So I'll stick to poking fun at your beliefs.

    Speaking of which, why did Jesus cross the road?

    Because he was nailed to the chicken.

    (Aren't you glad you started preaching on an unrelated science video?)

  • "If everyone quit trying to be god and started listening to God, this world would be a better place."

    "What is the dark ages?" Alex?

  • Haha ;)

  • So the propagation of life is against God's will?

    You need to see things from a different perspective!

  • Read the The Ra Material : The Law of One to find out more about civilizations on mars.

  • I love her passion for her subject!

  • HOW DO YOU KNOW?LOL

  • I wonder if we should work on solving earth's problems before we go shooting off into space.

  • there will always be problems yet to solve here on earth. but if we dont explore every avenue of research and exploration, we could miss something that can help us here. just look at the technological advances that came out of the original space race.

  • Microwave ovens =)

  • and i dont think any of us ever wants to go back to a world without tv dinners.

    it sends chills down my spine...

    =O

  • I can do without them, heart attack on a plate ...

    I think I use my uwave for re-heating coffee pots and defrosting stuff lol

  • If you're specifically referring to an accelerated effort at a manned mission to Mars, I agree. We're much better off relying on robotic missions for the foreseeable future, at FAR lower cost. Robotics is still in its infancy, and holds amazing promise. And hopefully we can use robots to prepare facilities on Mars for future habitation by humans.

    I'd hate to see exploration of Mars discontinued, but I have no problem with my great-great-grandchildren being the first to witness humans on Mars.

  • forgiven.

  • That's funny to say coming from a person who thinks that mars has been populated.

  • At least you admit it's all your imagination and that you don't know how to make people out of dirt. Or maybe you are saying that there is no reason for you to exist?

  • damn straight.

  • I think you should ask the aliens in your backyard that question next time they come 'round stuntededucation.

  • wow, I guess graduate students at USC are laymen now. Learn something new everyday. I think words like cliche are out of your league blunt. You should flip back a few pages in your dictionary to the word "assumption". And while you're at it you might as well look up the first 3 letters of that word too. Have fun with your laymen's lectures. 'Cause when it comes down to it that's basically what tedtalks is.

  • You are the ones who rely on money and men. You think your feeble efforts can save you. you have to resort to vile speech and behavior because you cannot handle the truth. Yes, I know God. I've been walking with Him for 30 years since I repented and accepted God's forgiveness for my sins through the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross for the sins of the whole world. When you can make a human out of a lump of dirt,then you will have scratched the surface of what God Almighty can do and has done

  • seriously, fuck off. Stop acting like a douchebag on a science video.

  • Why are you still talking? You need to see your way out of others conversations. Please, step away from the keyboard moron.

  • You should be sorry. Keep watching the tedtalks videos though please. Eventually it might cure what seems to be a stunted education.

  • I'm sorry that you're not capable of putting together a coherent sentence. How exactly does one "think behind cliche"? Sorry to put it bluntly, but you just might be dumb.

  • I, for one, happen to care if there is mold or any other life on Mars -or anywhere else in the universe for that matter.

    What is it with the fundies camping out here? Can't handle reality, go to GodTube!

  • "What is it with the fundies camping out here? Can't handle reality, go to GodTube!"

    It's why we can never have nice things. When you make available insightful content, idiots are always content in stomping on it.

  • Why do you think regurgitant your Christian beliefs makes them any more believable?

  • Please take your insanity elsewhere.

    We aren't listening.

  • You've been warned. When the rapture comes and the Christians are taken to Heaven and you are left on a planet that is destroyed by a comet, wars, plagues, and fire, you will be without hope. You can repent of rebellion to God and accept His love for you, or you can reject God and spend eternity separated from Him and His plan for you. The choice is yours but your decision is not on my hands because you've been told. ( = Have a nice day.

  • "their feeble knowledge"

    I've found the only ones who think humanity's knowledge and intelligence are feeble, are those who have a distinct deficit in both.

  • Out of billions of cubic light years we get this tiny little marble, prone to earthquakes, volcanoes and catastrophic climate change. If God was so great why didn't he give us a starship Enterprise to colonize other, possibly better planets?

  • Because it's within our own power to do that.

  • "Life is found in Jesus Christ ... Man was destined for Heaven"

    Tower of Babel, anyone?

  • liketanyanot,

    it's not like people like us aren't open minded. It's that people like you are so open minded that your brain falls out of its housing.

  • You TED-sters all deserve a planet of your own. I would call it "Planet Knowitall"- your intellectual obfuscation doesn't hide the fact that you have done none of the research on the topic, you probably have never even heard of the National Security Agency nor have a clue as to what it does, you probably were not aware that *7 TRILLION* dollars a year goes missing and unaudited from military budgets and into black ops R & D never to be heard from again.

  • People who are hardcore about TED I have found, are actually some of the most smug, misinformed, consensus reality fixated left-brained assholes I have ever had the displeasure of coming in contact with. It's like you're all one big MENSA meeting coffee klatch, all trying to out-smug everyone in the room and offer up your IQs to anyone who will listen.

  • You were rejected by MENSA weren't you?

  • Actually, *I* rejected MENSA, precisely for the reasons stated. I hate people like you.

  • Oh wow! Aren't you something special! Would you like a cookie? Good boy!

  • I'm a pretty hardcore fan of TED talks, but that's because I like hearing really smart people talk about interesting stuff they know a lot about... but I know what you mean. It's sort of like Marylin Manson (if you don't mind the genre). The band puts on a neat theatrical performance, and the music in and of itself isn't bad (of course that's subjective). I think in Manson's case, the big turnoff is the pasty, pseudo depressed, chain-wearing fan base. Not the best analogy, but you get my drift.

  • Dear fool, you have confused billion with trillion.

  • And the fact that you haven't even addressed any of the incidents/agencies/treaties I mentioned shows your complete and utter ignorance on the subject. If you just so much as submit ONE FOIA request for any of these topics, your mind might explode from having your paradigm ruined. Another newsflash: TEDsters DON'T KNOW EVERYTHING! Are you ALL people who go to parties and within 15 seconds everyone in the room knows what school you went to? Jesus this channel is insufferable.

  • Guess what liketanyanot,

    I used to work for the government. So I bet I know a hell of a lot more about it than you. I also hold a "secret clearance" level. And newsflash: we've got plans for people like you liketanyanot....

  • Bring it, bitch. I've already had NSA on my tail, I am a contactee. So bring it, you fucking coward! And by working for them,than you know about Dr. Michael Salla's report on black ops budgets totaling more than 1.7 trillion a year missing from military budgets every year since 1998. Not BILLIONS as commandingheights said. And since you work for "them", you can get access to my file because you are an authoritarian-loving douche and then you will see the truth. I still hate you, by the way.