Vrain Matari
ZionTCD
Legacy Rising
404
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Posted - 2012.09.22 17:59:00 -
[1] - Quote
I believe in the work on non-equlibrium thermodynamics done over the last 40 years that has shown theoretically and empirically that matter self-organizes in non-equilibrium environments that have a positive net energy input(i.e. the sun, thermal vents, radioactive minerals, gravitational heating, etc.)
Given that little bit of knowledge, I'd give looooong odds in favour of lots of life in lots of places in the universe.
When Feynman was asked about what Physics had to say about the possibility of life arising from matter in the current model of physics he said something like(begging forgiveness in advance, I can't find the quote):
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Think about the simple water molecule, H2O. Think about all the different ways it can behave, all the different shapes and forms it can take, the incredible and still-not-understood chemistry of water all by itself.
If one simple molecule can act in all those different ways interacting only with itself, who can say what happens when all of the atoms, molecules and radiations in all the possible environments are interacting with each other?
In short, Physics has nothing to say about the possibility or impossibility of the material evolution of life because it is a far more complex question that Physics is able to address. For now.
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Vrain Matari
ZionTCD
Legacy Rising
404
|
Posted - 2012.09.22 22:55:00 -
[2] - Quote
Cinder Integ wrote:Take two planes, each with a clock set to the same time, and have them fly in opposite directions... one with the spin of the earth, and one against it. When both planes are finally back together take a look at the times on the clock.
A basic life form could be born today and surpass us in complexity and technology by tomorrow, given that the planet it resided on was moving fast enough. Speed vs time = incredible.
The relativistic effects on a body moving around a planet has four components, the first a prediction of special relativity and well-tested, the second, third predictions of general relativity have only been recently tested, approx. 100 years after Einstein produced the theory. The fourth prediction has not been tested afaik.
The third dilation effect is called 'Frame Dragging' and it lead to the creation of what i feel is the single most advanced machine produced by the human race. Gravity Probe 'B'.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gravity_Probe_B#Experimental_setup
Also the subsequent data analysis was state of the art and then some. They didn't get the accuracy they wanted, but that doesn't take away from their achievement.
I'm not gonna do the calculation, but it's prolly safe to say that this machine could put a bullet through a Merc's eyeball - from a moon of E-RPGP I. |