Part 3: Geoff Marcy / Dan Werthimer - The Great Debate 2010: Are We Alone?

Science Fiction portrays our Milky Way Galaxy as teeming with advanced civilizations engaged in interstellar communication, commerce, and occasionally star wars. If so, great Galactic societies anticipate offering membership to Earth. Back in our real universe, extraterrestrial life has proved elusive. None has been found. The arguments for and against technological life in the Galaxy have sharpened in recent years. Evidence abounds on Earth of the hardiness of life even in extremely harsh environments. Other evidence suggests the Earth may be a rare type of planet, unusually benign for life as we know it. Evidence on both sides is mounting. Which one is right? There can be only one answer: Either the Milky Way is teeming with technological life or it isn't. Renowned SETI scientist Dan Werthimer will debate planet-hunter and skeptic, Geoff Marcy.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• Astronomy
• SETI
• Astrobiology
• ETI
• Marcy
• Werthimer
• Physics
• Aliens

[danielbarkeley]

Battlestar Galactica doesn't have aliens! They're all human, and we are their descendants! 

[newmac]

What if intelligent life typically springs up in a mere 1 million years; the argument could be made that Earth is way way late to the game...