View Single Post
Old 03-13-2012, 05:04 PM   #1433
troutman
Unfrozen Caveman Lawyer
 
troutman's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Crowsnest Pass
Exp:
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Knalus View Post
Don't get me started on the Drake Equation. It's practically pseudoscience. Gives real science a bad name. What possible use could an equation be if the values of the variables cannot be determined, nor whether those variables are the only ones necessary? It SOUNDS like science, but it's nothing more than make believe.
Please, get started. Which variables cannot be determined? Which can be determined? What other variables should be included?

Is speculation not the foundation of science?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drake_equation#Criticism

One reply to such criticisms[42] is that even though the Drake equation currently involves speculation about unmeasured parameters, it was not meant to be science, but intended as a way to stimulate dialogue on these topics. Then the focus becomes how to proceed experimentally. Indeed, Drake originally formulated the equation merely as an agenda for discussion at the Green Bank conference.[43]

Last edited by troutman; 03-13-2012 at 05:12 PM.
troutman is offline   Reply With Quote