Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/5/84; site uwmacc.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!allegra!mit-eddie!godot!harvard!seismo!uwvax!uwmacc!dubois From: dubois@uwmacc.UUCP (Paul DuBois) Newsgroups: net.origins Subject: Hark!, but soft... Message-ID: <563@uwmacc.UUCP> Date: Thu, 13-Dec-84 13:39:30 EST Article-I.D.: uwmacc.563 Posted: Thu Dec 13 13:39:30 1984 Date-Received: Sat, 15-Dec-84 00:38:30 EST Distribution: net Organization: UW-Madison Primate Center Lines: 25 >> [Paul DuBois] >> I have a hypothetical question. If, given that life formed quickly, >> the obvious conclusion is that the probability of forming life is >> very high, what would the obvious conclusion be if we discovered >> that life appeared to have formed even more quickly, say, >> instantaneously? > > I have a hypothetical question. If, given that thought takes time, > the obvious conclusion is that the probability of stupid responses is > very high if they are formed quickly, what would the obvious > conclusion be if we discovered that the response above appeared > to have formed even more quickly, say, instantaneously? My question was serious, and I asked it for a purpose. There were two serious replies to it (those of Bill Jefferys and Ethan Vishniac), which I appreciate. The third response (above) is not very meaningful, helpful, or instructive. -- Paul DuBois {allegra,ihnp4,seismo}!uwvax!uwmacc!dubois "I will sing unto the Lord as long as I live: I will sing praise to my God while I have my being." Psalm 104:33