Re: Space Ships

[Patrick Schlichtenmyer]

Doug wrote:   >I personally find it hard to believe >that life is rare. I also think its a bit presumptuous of us to declare the >universe devoid of life because we can't detect it.         I recently read a fascinating article in the April issue of Analog Science Fiction & Fact entitled "Galactic Society". In it, one of the speculations that the author makes about galactic civilization (and I stress, only a speculation)is that colonies of bacteria might possibly be a form of nanorobot(!). He uses the argument that terrestrial bacteria have adaptions for surviving the hard vacuum of space, the temperature extremes, the radiation, and the ability to go into extended periods of dormancy that would be required for interstellar travel.   Hoping to instigate a discussion, Patrick ;-)   Patrick Schlichtenmyer [EMAIL PROTECTED] "Many that live deserve death. And some that die deserve life. Can you give it to them?" -J.R.R. Tolkien The Fellowship of the Ring