Christopher J. McGarvey wrote:
Rick, you're picking on a crippled guy who can't even talk for himself.

Also he is being beaten up by his wife.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/a ... ge_id=1770

newberry wrote:

Hawking is violating a basic principle of science- no good science can come from tiny sample sizes.

OK, I'll admit it--Hawkings' grasp of science is no match for yours, Mr. Reuben. You da man!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Still, you believe the myth of Hawking, despite my continuous schooling of you, Electrical Audio posting fool.

Until you can accept that Equalizer is a sentient being controlling Hawking, you have no place in this thread, little boy. Let the big men play.

242sumner wrote:

Christopher J. McGarvey wrote:
Rick, you're picking on a crippled guy who can't even talk for himself.

Also he is being beaten up by his wife.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/a ... ge_id=1770

I heard a story a couple years ago that they got into a fight and she pushed his wheelchair into the sun and left him there for multiple hours.

Christopher J. McGarvey wrote:I heard a story a couple years ago that they got into a fight and she pushed his wheelchair into the sun and left him there for multiple hours.

A woman who worked for him at Cambridge University said he used to regularly come in with bruises and cuts.

I remember once he turned up with a black eye. I asked him; 'How did that happen Stephen?' He replied: 'I bumped into a door.'

Putting aside the hilarity of Rick hurling personal insults at a paralysed man in lieu of arguments...

Given that projects like SETI have come up empty handed, it is reasonable to conclude that no technologically advanced alien life exists within a number of light years from our planet, i.e. our region of the galaxy. The actual reaching statement is to suggest that there is probably life elsewhere in the galaxy - not because it's unlikely but because it is only known as a matter of calculated odds, whereas the lack of advanced intelligent life in our neighborhood is very well established by the "We Ain't Found Shit" principle.

His comments on UFOs are distractingly harsh, as the phenomenon is clearly extant; it's simply the move from U to I that is obscured by "cranks and weirdos."

What does Hawking's disability have to do with anything in this particular discussion?

Rick's not dancing about in front of him pointing at his own legs or anything.

I think everyone's wrong here (or right if you're glass half full kind of person).

I don't see this statement as a proclamation of what is or isn't in the universe. Hawking isn't wrong when he says there doesn't seem to be advanced intelligent life but nor is Rick wrong to point out that it is far too soon to say. Rick is a little vitriolic but then isn't he always - I'm forever surprised at how much that still bothers people. I doubt Mr Hawking is logging in and getting upset at any of this.

Hawking saying only cranks and weirdos see UFOs is not true mind you - Rick is right about that too.
Or do people think that as soon as one sees a UFO they automatically become a crank or weirdo?
If so I'll hope you can stop for a second and see the problem with that kind of thinking.

Antero wrote:Given that projects like SETI have come up empty handed,

So far. It's not like we've been looking a long time is it.

Antero wrote:it is reasonable to conclude that no technologically advanced alien life exists within a number of light years from our planet, i.e. our region of the galaxy.

Actually this should be reworded: 'it might be reasonable to conclude that no alien life that has advanced technologically in the same way as ours exists within a number of light years from our planet'

On saying that however I'd still repeat the above - it's far too soon to say.

On saying that - though I see value in looking - I'd personally prefer it if all that money got pumped back into a decent space program.

242sumner wrote:

Christopher J. McGarvey wrote:I heard a story a couple years ago that they got into a fight and she pushed his wheelchair into the sun and left him there for multiple hours.

A woman who worked for him at Cambridge University said he used to regularly come in with bruises and cuts.

I remember once he turned up with a black eye. I asked him; 'How did that happen Stephen?' He replied: 'I bumped into a door.'

At least he didn't say he "fell down the steps."

Rick Reuben wrote: It is a fact that anything could be out there .

True, this is why I laugh at people who reject the theory of dragons flying off to the dark side of the moon in the year 1356 and living there to this day.

There be demons in my couscous!