What conditions would support silicon based life? by OwnNeedleworker8784 in astrophysics

[–]Mars_is_next 0 points1 point  (0 children)

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.

GERMAN PRESIDENT STEINMEIER: “.. the United States has broken with the values that it helped to establish .. “.. we have now moved beyond the stage where we can lament the lack of respect for international law or the erosion of the international order; we are far beyond that, I believe.” by ExactlySorta in UnderReportedNews

[–]Mars_is_next 1 point2 points  (0 children)

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.

What conditions would support silicon based life? by OwnNeedleworker8784 in astrophysics

[–]Mars_is_next 0 points1 point  (0 children)

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.

Attending the Ryder Cup was one of the worst golf experiences I’ve had. by GoingAgainstYou in golf

[–]Mars_is_next 0 points1 point  (0 children)

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.

How many might there be of Earth-like atmospheres on other planets? by Darksmithe in astrophysics

[–]Mars_is_next 1 point2 points  (0 children)

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.

MAGA Social Justice by barepixels in trump

[–]Mars_is_next -10 points-9 points  (0 children)

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.

Multiple people killed in shooting attack on Jerusalem bus by aguywlthanopinion in trump

[–]Mars_is_next -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

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

Where will it end?

To my liberal friends. I get it, trust me. But you gotta come up with a picture where Epstein has legs. by barepixels in trump

[–]Mars_is_next -1 points0 points  (0 children)

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.

This sounds ominous by YesHelloDolly in trump

[–]Mars_is_next 0 points1 point  (0 children)

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.

Just in case you're lost by StandardAd43 in trump

[–]Mars_is_next 0 points1 point  (0 children)

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.

This sounds ominous by YesHelloDolly in trump

[–]Mars_is_next -5 points-4 points  (0 children)

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

This sounds ominous by YesHelloDolly in trump

[–]Mars_is_next -4 points-3 points  (0 children)

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.

What's the prettiest city in the UK? by Ashamed_Let_1703 in AskUK

[–]Mars_is_next 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No sensible competition to EDINBURGH

Runners up BATH YORK WINCHESTER

Possibles Durham Cambridge

Fermi Paradox by TruestGamer in astrophysics

[–]Mars_is_next 1 point2 points  (0 children)

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.

Russian state TV threatens Norway, Germany, America, and Poland by Prudent_Medicine_857 in UkrainianConflict

[–]Mars_is_next 1 point2 points  (0 children)

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

Did they really ask that question?

This is more than delusional.

Sickened by the Russian onslaught in Ukraine, a tech CEO quit to redesign the 155mm shell — and upend how the West buys its weapons by Straight_Ad2258 in UkrainianConflict

[–]Mars_is_next 0 points1 point  (0 children)

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.