"It has often been said that, if the human species fails to make a go of it here on the Earth, some other species will take over the running. In the sense of developing intelligence this is not correct. We have or soon will have, exhausted the necessary physical prerequisites so far as this planet is concerned. With coal gone, oil gone, high-grade metallic ores gone, no species however competent can make the long climb from primitive conditions to high-level technology. This is a one-shot affair. If we fail, this planetary system fails so far as intelligence is concerned. The same will be true of other planetary systems. On each of them there will be one chance, and one chance only." (Hoyle, 1964)

• Utopia or Oblivion....Interesting, Phillip - carefuluniverse - April 1, 2003 - 08:42 UTC
  • But quite the opposite may happen - splat - April 2, 2003 - 05:27 UTC
    • something from nothing - sophos - April 4, 2003 - 04:27 UTC
      • How long do fossil fuels take? - floyd - April 4, 2003 - 15:42 UTC
        • But with a full power microwave? - robertgregory - April 5, 2003 - 05:32 UTC
          • synthetic? - sophos - April 5, 2003 - 16:23 UTC
            • ET Clone Home... - robertgregory - April 5, 2003 - 17:39 UTC
        • How long... The Way I Understand It, Time Isn't The Concern. - phillipmartin - May 3, 2003 - 02:04 UTC