[geoschmo]

I don't really consider this an argument. It's a discussion. Perhaps a debate at some points of disagrement, but that's kind of the reason for having a public forum, to discuss one anothers opinions, see things from a different perspective, and learn new things.

Your point we don't really know any of this stuff that we are talking about is kind of redundant. I think it's pretty clear from my comments that I don't diasgree with this. I'm not sure if you haven't read what I said, or if I wasn't clear. Or it could just be that you are restating it in your own words. That's fine too. It's all part of the discussion.

As far as comunication between alien cultures being a fantasy. I totally disagree. Difficult? Of course. But not impossible. It's not likely to be something we crack in a manner of weeks like the book Contact or anything. But the book does have a pretty good idea about one way we could possibly learn to communicate with each other through mathematics. Even if the time frames are unrealistic. Probably it will take generations of work on both ends before we get beyond anything more complicated then just being aware of each others presence.