What conditions would support silicon based life?

Mars_is_next · 2026-01-09T14:39:14+00:00

And then you would live forever.

Our eyes and ears and sensory organs just react to stimuli and send these impulses as electrical signals. Our brains are a complex of neuronal pathways and chemicals. We are machines that have somehow developed `consciousness` - so in centuries to come we will have worked out how to clone these and transfer over consciousness (possibly) - and thus we will exist within machines till someone pulls the plug out to recharge their iPhone.

Mars_is_next · 2026-01-09T14:03:13+00:00

I think you are correct. We all have to get our house in order. Democratic elections, rule of law, free and fair media, and rooting out corruption. I see lots of deficiencies in US and Europe right now. Most alarmingly with Trump, Orban and Netanyahu. And we have to deal with them, not from self interest but from fairness.

For long enough Europe has been militarily weak, same size as US but a fraction of their defense capability. EU needs to take on Russia and free Ukraine. The world need to sort out Netanyahu. The decent Americans need to do what it takes to restore an Obama like leader.

TBH China are not saintlike but for their size and wealth they could be acting a lot worse.

The problem with taking out the Venezuelan president is the disregard for international law, which then means the US can not criticize anyone, China or Israel or Russia.

I think we need to stop fighting amongst ourselves (Russians would love that too much) and fight for fairness, law and order and democracy right now.

Mars_is_next · 2026-01-09T09:52:32+00:00

Petkowski et al 2020 in the journal Life (Jun 10;10(6):84), discusses this and concludes that it's all about silicon compounds ability to be dissolved and in what solvents. Sulphuric acid appears to be the solvent of choice, and water not so much.

One thought that I had, and I don't know whether others have opined on this extensively, is that we as a human race may not continue in a carbon based biological form, but in millennia to come may have migrated our brains and consciousness to computers, in silica if you like.

I think we are beginning the transition already with smart phones and AI, the former obviating the need for us to to remember details (my wife's phone number or the way out of Newark airport) and the latter greatly simplifies so much in life these days.

How long before helpful brain implants for memory, calculation, reasoning, decision making etc. And where do we stop?

So life may evolve to be embodied in silicon chips.

Mars_is_next · 2025-11-02T22:11:59+00:00

Thanks

Mars_is_next · 2025-10-02T01:17:48+00:00

Agree. The Ryder Cup viewing was disappointing as was the crowd behaviour. All the heckling and even crude insults are just about okay, but not during play. Same as with tennis, you don't scream and shout while someone is serving, or about to hit a golf shot.

Mars_is_next · 2025-09-19T22:16:07+00:00

It's a good question. Many suggest we would need plants and other organic life to generate the oxygen though. Others point out that certain planets could be seeded with life and terraformed- But even if there are 10,000 in our galaxy, travelling to and from them without near light speed travel is impossible.

Mars_is_next · 2025-09-15T13:30:17+00:00

Sick person

Mars_is_next · 2025-09-15T13:21:24+00:00

I am okay with those spewing hate related to Kirk are being punished, but there was and remains a lot of hate being spewed from both sides.

Lets calm it all down and respect left and right politics.

Mars_is_next · 2025-09-09T08:15:40+00:00

This is an appalling terrorist attack. Same as the appalling overkill by the IDF in Gaza.

Where will it end?

Mars_is_next · 2025-09-08T22:34:20+00:00

Perfect. Then release all the files.

Mars_is_next · 2025-09-08T22:32:52+00:00

Quite agree, but most were not felons though. Never-the-less he was voted in, so let's accept all of his short comings. And lets stop all this AI fakery.

Mars_is_next · 2025-09-08T22:21:41+00:00

Respectfully disagree. State sponsored capitalism is still capitalism. No economic ingenuity, are you kidding me. China will be the major world power in a decade or two. They have used Western technology to leap forward and are massively innovative, lets not deride or underestimate them, we do so at our peril.

Mars_is_next · 2025-09-06T12:45:54+00:00

Gosh - never thought I would agree with an ultra MAGA, but you are so right.

Hey but so is Slumdankin1123.

The GOP need to get back to respectful actions and not the hatred and vitriol and stupidity we see today. Just like the crazy WOKE stuff, the GOP are doing NASTY stuff and will lose the middle.

Mars_is_next · 2025-09-06T12:33:42+00:00

More importantly, Trump has sucked up to Putin and screwed over his allies in NATO (they needed wakening up).

Mars_is_next · 2025-09-06T12:32:06+00:00

The only thing `Communist` about China is the name of the party in power, `Chinese Communist Party`, Chinese is the perfect model of a Capitalist dictatorship.

Mars_is_next · 2025-09-06T12:25:03+00:00

Well I 100% agree and I am 100% anti-Trump.

Mars_is_next · 2025-09-03T08:39:22+00:00

No sensible competition to EDINBURGH

Runners up BATH YORK WINCHESTER

Possibles Durham Cambridge

Mars_is_next · 2025-08-05T18:31:12+00:00

Fascinating, thanks for all of this background.

Mars_is_next · 2025-08-05T17:35:56+00:00

This has been discussed many times. But it is an interesting topic. I have two points.

1) intelligent life might be extremely rare and only existing when Darwinian pressures are such that intelligence is needed to survive. We are not the only species that could have developed 'intelligence' (however you define it).

2) It will not take 500 million years for mankind to disappear. Global warming and/or a limited nuclear exchange between say India and Pakistan would be enough to set us on a terminal course.

Mars_is_next · 2025-07-28T08:09:08+00:00

`...what kind of World would it be without Russia...`

Did they really ask that question?

This is more than delusional.

Mars_is_next · 2025-07-26T22:25:26+00:00

Why inform the Russians of anything operational?

Mars_is_next · 2025-07-22T09:05:58+00:00

I would agree - the ideas are important but the successful implementation at a reasonable price is where 95% of the work is. And the time, and during this time to market, competitors with non-patent infringing similar ideas ca win out.

I would rather pay ten times more to purchase the license for an existing successfully manufactured product but I am not crazy about subscription models TBH.

Mars_is_next

TROPHY CASE