Probability 1

In a universe infinitely large, what is the probability of intelligent life on another planet? Sounds like a trick question, but for anyone versed in cosmology and statistics, the answer is 1; that is, there must be life on at least one other planet in the universe. This is Amir Aczels theorem. But, as physicist Enrico Fermi once asked, if thats true, where is everyone? Aczel tackles that paradox after he goes through the statistical calculations for the probability of intelligent life, considering factors such as how many stars are in a galaxy, how many of those stars might be hospitable, how many might have planets, and how many planets might have environments suitable to support life as we know it (or as we dont). Aczel also provides an overview of the relevant developments in astronomy and biology--laying the groundwork to show that the universes chemistry must add up to life. Whether life was spread through the universe by chunks of debris like ALH84001--the enigmatic meteorite from Mars that contained tantalizing hints of the possibility of life--or arose independently, Aczel is sure it is out there. After teasing readers with scientific history, Probability 1 delivers on its promise to prove Aczels conjecture through a clearly explained application of known statistical theory to the chaos of the universe.
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0156010801/qid=1071781566/sr=1-2/ref=sr_1_2/104-3718184-0325549?v=glance&s=books

Loop Quantum Gravity

Its only since the middle 1980s that real progress began to be made on unifying relativity and quantum theory. The turning point was the invention of not one but two approaches: loop quantum gravity and string theory. Since then, we have been making steady progress on both of these approaches. In each case, we are able to do calculations that predict surprising new phenomena. Still, we are not done. Neither is yet in final form; there are still things to understand. But the really important news is that there is now a real chance of doing experiments that will test the new predictions of these theories.This is important, because were in the uncomfortable situation of having two well-developed candidates for the quantum theory of gravity. We need to reduce these to one theory. We can do this either by finding that one is wrong and the other right, or by finding that the two theories can themselves be unified.
Its only since the middle 1980s that real progress began to be made on unifying relativity and quantum theory. The turning point was the invention of not one but two approaches: loop quantum gravity and string theory. Since then, we have been making stea

Bagdads Batteries

War can destroy more than a people, an army or a leader. Culture, tradition and history also lie in the firing line. Iraq has a rich national heritage. The Garden of Eden and the Tower of Babel are said to have been sited in this ancient land. In any war, there is a chance that priceless treasures will be lost forever, articles such as the "ancient battery" that resides defenceless in the museum of Baghdad. For this object suggests that the region, whose civilizations gave us writing and the wheel, may also have invented electric cells - two thousand years before such devices were well known.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/2804257.stm

More Microsoft Spyware

The Inquirer is reporting that a group in Germany has deciphered the information sent to Microsoft during an update using Windows Update and says that information on all software installed on your computer is sent, even that which is not Microsofts own software.
http://slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=03/02/26/1320231&mode=thread&tid=109&tid=158

Time Not Quantized

The conclusion that time is not quantized poses large problems for scientists. According to Lieu, "The Big Bang theory supposes that at the instant of creation, the quantum singularity that became the universe would need to have infinite density and temperature. To avoid that sticky problem, theorists invoked the Planck time. They said if the instant of creation was also a quantum event, when space and time were both blurry, then you dont need infinite density and temperature at the start of the Big Bang." Without quantum time, the universe becomes mathematically uglier at the moment of its inception. Like so many maps that were supposed to lead to the Holy Grail, our notions of quantized time have failed to lead us to a unified quantum theory.
http://www.astronomy.com/Content/Dynamic/Articles/000/000/001/219fcvov.asp

Nethack 3.4.1 Released

The NetHack DevTeam is pleased to announce the release of NetHack 3.4.1. NetHack 3.4 is an enhancement to the dungeon exploration game NetHack. It is a distant descendent of Rogue and Hack, and a direct descendent of NetHack 3.3.
http://nethack.sourceforge.net/v341/downloads.html

New StrongBad Email

http://www.homestarrunner.com/sbemail64.html