[extropy-chat] Drake Equation nitpicking

[Reason]

> -----Original Message-----
> From: extropy-chat-bounces at lists.extropy.org
> [mailto:extropy-chat-bounces at lists.extropy.org]On Behalf Of John K Clark
> Sent: Tuesday, February 15, 2005 9:11 AM
> To: ExI chat list
> Subject: Re: [extropy-chat] Drake Equation nitpicking
>
> "As a result, the Drake equation can have any value from "billions and
> billions" to zero. An expression that can mean anything means nothing.
> Speaking precisely, the Drake equation is literally meaningless, and has
> nothing to do with science."

The point of the Drake equation, so far as I understand it, was to foster
discussion regarding what sort of constraints exist on the existence of
ETI - coming up with numbers wasn't the important part of the process and
the exercise is far from meaningless.

Reason
Founder, Longevity Meme