You lack the historical context of a true professional. Or do you? Don’t let your wit overwhelm you. ‘Science is fun!!!’ No, it’s not, not always. Sometimes science is dead serious. Be serious when necessary. The stupid-ass movie aliens you talk about in this… whatever it is, are passe. You have a stronger voice than this. Use it.

Watch ‘Cosmos’ again. And again, and again…

John

“Aliens might not be carbon based:”

That’s possible, but if there is life elsewhere, my money is on organicly based. There are more known carbon-based compounds than all others. Carbon seems to be a uniquely good element for easily making very complex chemicals. And organic compounds have been found in abundance in the solar system and beyond. Stuff as complex as amino acids in comets, but also huge amounts of methane and other simple compounds. Carbon is common, reactive and just perfect for this.

Could life be based on other chemicals? Possibly, but I would think it is unlikely. Carbon/hydrogen based chemicals just seem to naturally react in the ways that would possibly create life. Other chemicals: not really seen doing such varied and complex things in nature.

Also: In the Andramada Strain they say intelligent life might be as small as a flea. Again, possible, but unlikely. This would really only be possible if it were somehow structured on an atomic basis, and not organic. As mentioned above, I’d expect life would most probably be carbon based. It might be very different than life on earth. It may not even have cells or something… But it’ll probably still be based on some of the same basic chemicals. Probably..

1. Doctor Who has been around a lot longer than most Hollywood producers
2. A good many Hollywood aliens were originally thought of by the BBC in making DW (ever notice the similarities between the Daleks and the Borg?)
3. The Doctor is WAY cooler than virtually anything coming from Hollywood.

He’s a gem of British Science broadcasting. Savour him.

I missed the episode (but I dare say it will be repeated ad finitem on BBC3).

Well done Dr. Phil.

Thanks from a bioBABloggee!

Oh, wait a second. I came here to get away from work for a bit. Oh, well. I guess this balances the lost sleep from checking out the lunar eclipse.

Yup!