Finding true love as rare as finding aliens?

Edmonton Journal ^ | unkown | Reuters

[ErnstStavroBlofeld]

Romance may happen every day, but finding true love in London is as rare as aliens in the galaxy, says one London-based economist.

Peter Backus, a teaching fellow of economics at the University of Warwick, has calculated that he has a 0.00034 percent chance of finding love in the British capital using the same "Drake" equation scientists use to determine the potential number of extra-terrestrials in our galaxy.

American astronomer and astrophysicist Frank Drake devised his namesake equation in the early 1960s.

The 31-year-old Backus -- who lives on a narrow boat in central London -- is not even that particular about his ideal match, requiring only that she be a London-based female, aged 24-34, with a university education.

"I am not trying to be an elitist or anything," he said about his educational requirements. "Everyone has preferences. I just think we would have more in common."

[ErnstStavroBlofeld]

A rather interesting use of the Drake Equation.

[FredZarguna]

Basically what Steven Hawking has already said: don’t go looking for aliens. They’re more likely to be like your first wife than the queen of your dreams.

[allmost]

No luck with either here.

[antceecee]

Not all university educations are equal... neither are all who receive them.

[KarlInOhio]

Peter Backus, a teaching fellow of economics at the University of Warwick, has calculated that he has a 0.00034 percent chance of finding love in the British capital using the same "Drake" equation scientists use to determine the potential number of extra-terrestrials in our galaxy.

And the Drake equation does even take into account the likelihood that you are a complete twit which the alien civilization won't want to have anything to do with no matter how much you tell them how wonderful you are.

[OneWingedShark]

>Finding true love as rare as finding aliens?

Couldn’t we increase our chances of finding aliens by going to LA or one of the sanctuary-cities?

[ErnstStavroBlofeld]

I think he is referring to space aliens. But you can find illegal aliens you want in LA

[Daffynition]

The Drake Equation tatt:

[ErnstStavroBlofeld]

That is a long equation.

[happinesswithoutpeace]

hit activesetive comps mam

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B6YOq2xn3k4&feature=related

[happinesswithoutpeace]

work it

[Daffynition]

Pictorially, yes. Then there's this ...

[happinesswithoutpeace]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Attractor

lol

[ErnstStavroBlofeld]

To a certain extent the Drake equation has been discredited. But the equation has expanded even more over the years.

[Tolsti2]

With all the talk lately of multiple universe and gravity being able to pass between them, I'm surprised there's not much talk about that being dark matter or any other gravitation anomaly.

[ErnstStavroBlofeld]

They are talking about dark matter. It is always in either in Scientific American or those magazine.

[rdl6989]

I was going to say people looking for love just need to go to El Paso then.

[happinesswithoutpeace]

All things in time tolsti...also, bb is loz

[Tolsti2]

Yeah, they talk about it. But I don’t see them connecting it to M theory branes much, or ever.

[OneWingedShark]

>I was going to say people looking for love just need to go to El Paso then.

I hate El Paso.

[Daffynition]

To be sure, a tool to attempt to quantify the uncertainty of the factors which determine the number of such extraterrestrial civilizations but applying it to finding love loses me in its calculations. :)

Even the economist finds it in his own back yard and defies the odds. That I'll buy. ;)

[ErnstStavroBlofeld]

Those equations evolve over time. They must be tested to see it observed in the universe. Some times we stumble on to things like “Strange matter”. That was not spoken about until quite recently.

[ErnstStavroBlofeld]

I agree with you. But I think he was having some fun.

[Daffynition]

Fun is a good thing. A wonderful thing.

Here's a great Drake equation calculator [scroll down the page] just plug your numbers in and it will crank out how many civilizations you think there are in the galaxy or what your chances are for amore.

[happinesswithoutpeace]

Love fades as does jupiters stripes : )

[ErnstStavroBlofeld]

Thanks for the link. It was a very good article.

[PIF]

“Love fades as does jupiters stripes : )”

which stripe was removed during Gajin mining operations, else it was removed for decorative puposes by the residents...

[happinesswithoutpeace]

ok

[MIchaelTArchangel]

Gee, I see aliens hanging around the Home Depot parking lot all the time. They aren’t that rare.

[rockrr]

...or that attractive.

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks sonofstrangelove.

The 31-year-old Backus -- who lives on a narrow boat in central London -- is not even that particular about his ideal match, requiring only that she be a London-based female, aged 24-34, with a university education.

[bigheadfred]

Pretty sure my wife is my true love. She’s been telling me that for 23 years. I would like to describe my MIL as otherworldly. But I think she’s a damn alien. What else could make you feel so like a bug under the microscope?