[svnt]

It is unfortunate that accepting the existence of alien life, which it is hard to argue is not a statistical fact, gives off those vibes.

[oldgradstudent]

How exactly extraterretial life is a statistical fact?

[svnt]

How is it not? Other than extremely anthropocentrically?

There are at least 200 billion trillion stars in the universe that we are aware of. That is a number beyond our comprehension. Stars generate elements. Elements form molecules. Life is built on some of these molecules.

[oldgradstudent]

The statistical argument is basically:

Multiplying a number beyond our comprehension by an unknown probability >= 2

Right?

[svnt]

I would say the statistical argument is the null argument. To invalidate it you should instead need to come up with a reason why in a billion trillion structurally relevant constructions we must be the only one where life emerges.

[oldgradstudent]

I too always claim my position is the null argument.