Peter Ruest wrote (in part):
> Comparing one case _known to have occurred_ among 6x10^9 other known
> cases to a calculated probability estimate in the transastronomical
> range (< 10^-80) for an event _never observed_ is fallacious logic! ;-)
>
However, I must caution you that we don't know the
odds against some kind(s) of "life" appearing somewhere
in the universe. Clearly, _intelligent life_ is quite
rare. As Enrico Fermi once said, "if intelligent life is
so commonplace, where are they?" Nevertheless, this
does not completely rule out the possibility that
bacteria-like organisms are probable ... (yet)
see for example
http://www.sciam.com/2000/0700issue/0700crawford.html
I think this article has a fairly well balanced view
on the matter.
By Grace we proceed,
Wayne
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