From: Mike Lorrey (mlorrey@yahoo.com)
Date: Wed Jan 22 2003 - 20:07:51 MST
--- "Eliezer S. Yudkowsky" <sentience@pobox.com> wrote:
> Anders Sandberg wrote:
> > Some good news:
> >
> > http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2003/01/030122072843.htm
> >
> > Scientists at NASA and Kansas University have determined that the
> > supernova would need to be within 26 light years from Earth to
> > significantly damage the ozone layer and allow cancer-causing
> ultraviolet
> > radiation to saturate the Earth's surface.
> >
> > *One* thing less to worry about.
>
> No, this is *poor* news, because it eliminates one of the *less*
> forboding explanations for the Great Filter.
Actually not, since our system is currently within a rather empty
volume of space once cleared by a supernova. Alien races may assume
that any star systems within this 'kill zone' are barren worlds, and
thus avoid us.
Furthermore, given that space outside our local zone is more dirty, it
might be far more difficult to travel interstellar distances out there
than in here.
=====
Mike Lorrey
"Live Free or Die, Death is not the Worst of Evils."
- Gen. John Stark
"Pacifists are Objectively Pro-Fascist." - George Orwell
"Treason doth never Prosper. What is the Reason?
For if it Prosper, none Dare call it Treason..." - Ovid
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