Column Chronicles: Many Earths could mean many life forms

Many Earths could mean many life forms

Frank Cotolo
March 10, 2016

Astrophysicicists are at it again. As if they don't have enough to do while studying the universe for pieces of information that could lead to more understanding of our planet, they are now looking beyond our own universe and counting stars that are similar to our Sun. They currently took a break at the number 500 quintillion.

"That is five billion billion," said one astrophysicicist, even though I did not ask. "That amount means two things, if not more. First, that some could be orbited by planets like Earth. Second, that we better find a new symbol for the number zero because when you get into the billion billions you are talking some large amounts of zeroes."

It's estimated that 20 percent of those stars most likely have a planet with Earth's conditions and that could mean two things, if not more. First, that there could be life as we know it. Secondly, that life as we know it on any of those planets has replaced cigarettes with VaporFi cigarettes.

Think of it - if these astrophysicicists are anywhere near correct, there could already 10 quadrillion civilizations of intelligent life (a quadrillion is 10 million billion, don't ask me how many zeroes goes with that number).

I wondered if the term "intelligent civilization" could mean that on other planets with life forms people ask for gluten-free food at restaurants.

Professor Thomas "Tootles" Temporary, who studies the quirks of mankind, brought up some interesting related possibilities.

"I suspect that other life forms may have conquered many of the problems of which our species still struggles," he said while noticing the elastic in his socks were no longer functional. "I suppose some life forms have outlawed commercial trampolines, proving right there they are smarter than us. I would like to think they do not have those little ads that run on the side of the screen while people watch shows on television."

Professor Temporary also surmises that other civilizations have learned to cope with heroine addiction, as well as hero addiction, and with baseball games that go into extra innings beyond 18.

It boggles the mind, at least my mind boggles, how Earthlings can consider themselves alone in the vast eternity that surrounds our planet or that they still feel nauseated on a Merry-Go-Round. We are certainly a young species, like children, if not embryos; that's how young a species I am suggesting are Earthlings.

Frank Cotolo can be found hosting the talk and interview programme Cotolo Chronicles. You can send him an e-mail at this address: frank@148.ca.