Quote:
Originally Posted by Knalus
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.
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That's funny, lots of equations started that way.
Einstein's equations are EXACTLY what you describe; at the time the variables couldn't be determined, and it wasn't later until Einstein and others came up with specific solutions that they really became meaningful.
Heck even Newton's theory of gravity with its inverse square relationship of gravity was complete SPECULATION until a very long time later when that could actually be confirmed and measured.
ETA: Science is a process, not the act of getting it right the first time so that there's no possible further changes. The Drake equation is like any other equation.. it establishes relationships, but if you put garbage in you'll get garbage out.