Barren Mars (Introduction)

by David Turell , Thursday, March 14, 2013, 18:10 (4273 days ago) @ dhw

dhw: 1) If there is nothing but microbial life out there, it would be a major blow to the idea that a god created life with the purpose of creating humans. It would raise all kinds of questions about any god's motivation and/or competence. It could mean that unselfconscious "intelligent energy" only got as far as microorganisms, perhaps because the environment was not conducive to innovation.-I'm betting we are the only life that exists.
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> dhw: 2) If there is evolved life out there, it could mean that a god tried various experiments, of which life on Earth was just one, or it could mean that unselfconscious "intelligent energy" did the same.-Interesting suppositions. This is a life friendly universe.-> 
> dhw:3) If there is no other form of life out there, it would be a major blow to the theory that life automatically emerges when conditions are right. It would also raise the question of why a god would bother to create favourable conditions and not use them. It could mean that "intelligent energy" simply made the best choice. The other day I watched a programme about ants being studied under laboratory conditions. The insects were offered a selection of artificial nests of different quality. They sent out scouts, and of course chose the best.-E.O. Wilson thinks ants are smart. They are simply programmed with excellent instincts. The Mars conditions might appear to be right, but that involves many assumptions totally unproven at this moment. The inorganic contents of the sample are consistent with an attempt at life, but we have no idea if an attempt could be made. You are extrapolating far too much theory. Until proven otherwise, life is only on a very privileged planet, Earth.