Re: Mineral analysis may reveal life on Mars


"Jo Schaper" <joschapern4ospam@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:11ruegcjapeaq18@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>
> > "Chris" <nimbo@(no-spam)ukonline.co.uk> wrote in message
> > news:j9Evf.79412$D47.20387@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>
> >>
> >>I have heard that those probes that were lost did, in fact land
> >>succesfully and that they were primarily designed to look for life.
> >>These were said to be lost because of what was found.
> >>
> >>The west will no survive the discovery of exobiology and the only way
for
> >>easy transision is to teach it in schools. At present people are being
> >>murderd over this concept as it means to christians the total collapse
of
> >>their faith.
>
>
> My best wishes for your continued existence, Chris, however, the
> discovery of exobiology will not end western civilization. Perhaps 100
> years ago this might have been true. However, in the 20th Century,
> western civilization has been innoculated with enough science fiction in
> all forms of media featuring exobiology that if real non-terrestrial
> life blew in from Mars, Alpha Centauri, or real estate beyond, a
> sufficient number of Westerners are familiar with the concept that a
> 1938 War of the Worlds scenario is unlikely, and even the religionists
> will adapt, just as they have to many other things, such as automobiles,
> computers, and Hollywood.


Yes, the civilized and educated west.


FOX News/Opinion Dynamics Poll. August 25-26,1999. N=902
registered voters nationwide. MoE ± 3.
.

"Which do you think is more likely to actually be the explanation for
the origin of human life on Earth: the theory of evolution as outlined
by Darwin and other scientists, the biblical account of creation as
told in the Bible, or are both true?"

Theory of evolution 15 %
Biblical account 50 %
Both 26 %
Not sure 9 %

http://www.pollingreport.com/science.htm




Half of this country thinks the earth is only ten thousand
years old, and we were created in our present form in
.....six days or less.

And much of the other half of the world still has great difficulty
with the notion of girls being allowed to go to school. Or even
showing their faces.

The discovery of life elsewhere is more likely to set off an
increase in religious beliefs and activity. Which to many can
be a rather scary thing ....all things considered.


NASA Technical Memorandum
WORKSHOP ON
THE SOCIETAL IMPLICATIONS OF ASTROBIOLOGY
FINAL REPORT
http://astrobiology.arc.nasa.gov/workshops/societal/societal_report.pdf


page 22
"Many people still fight the concept of Darwinian evolution, and some
people may be truly fearful of extraterrestrial life. Some of these people
may use their political clout to deter astrobiology. For people who
believe that they were created in God's image, discoveries of other life
forms could prove devastating and perhaps lead to violent reactions.
Astrobiology could replace the Cold War as a source of ideas and
controversies. This could continue for decades."



page 6
" .... it is extremely important for us to be highly knowledgeable
about the likely reactions of different constituencies (the press, various
religious groups, political leaders, and the general public).
We would be foolish and negligent if we did not study such reactions
well ahead of time and make state-of-the art preparations for major
discoveries. Carefully prepared plans should be in place very
soon, because evidence of extraterrestrial life could be found
at any time."


page 36
"One of the reasons for this is a sense of urgency: confirmation of
extraterrestrial
life could occur at any time and in any of a number of ways.
When it occurs, we may have only limited control over the situation."


page 29
"The discovery may stimulate a worldwide resurgence in religious activity."


page 31
"At that point we will not have to undertake lengthy preparations before
we can collect the information that we need to "manage" contact
and plan for the post-contact world."


Jonathan















.

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