[xerula]

On the temporal / spatial scale of the universe we are virtually non-existent. On a scale that ranks everything in the universe according to physical / informational complexity & organization, we appear so far to be quite significant.

[znowi]

Our yardstick is far too short to make any universe scale ranking on this subject. However, what we lack in knowledge, we thoroughly compensate in sense of ego and self-importance as species :)

[xerula]

Our yardstick is pretty good. We have characterized a vast range of the objects we share out universe with in immense structural detail, from lifeforms here on earth to astronomical objects billions of light years away. The human brain sticks out.

I wrote my comment precisely because it has become a cliché to say what you're saying – how small, ignorant and insignificant we are in relation to the universe, how we compensate by being arrogant. Taking a different view, that human brains are really quite extraordinary compared to everything we can see out there, is not necessarily egotistic. The more I feel a sense of wonder at the preciousness and privilege of human life, the more I want to spend mine being helpful, nurturing, productive.

:)

[Retric]

We know a lot about a tiny area, and a tiny amount about a large area. But, suggesting we know anything about life / AI outside our solar system is pure hubris.

[xerula]

The universe presents overwhelmingly as a vast void. Of the total space in the universe, what fraction at most do you think is occupied by self-aware minds? What is the maximum percentage of all the matter in the universe that is organized into conscious beings? Regardless of whether life is common or rare on other planets, it is certainly vanishingly scarce overall.

[Retric]

Of the total space in the universe, what fraction at most do you think is occupied by self-aware minds?

Somewhere between vary close to 0% and vary close to 100%.

What is the maximum percentage of all the matter in the universe that is organized into conscious beings?

Somewhere between vary close to 0% and vary close to 100%.

Regardless of whether life is common or rare on other planets, it is certainly vanishingly scarce overall.

That makes plenty of rather large assumptions life may or may not only consisting of organic life on planets. For example, as our view of the universe is hobbled by the speed of light most of the planets in existence may have been transformed into Dyson spheres by AI (as one possibility) and we have no way of knowing. Or to bring up a classic idea the observable universe may be an influentially small part of a larger organism.

PS: Now, I suspect your probably more or less correct. However, just because something seems to be the most likely possibility does not make it the only option.

[henningb]

Says the two week old baby with limited vision.

[chinpokomon]

After reading the article, I got fixated on why you were dividing time by space... finishing the sentence, I realized that wasn't what you were trying to say at all. :-)

[baddox]

How exactly are you measuring "complexity" or "organization" such that you reached this conclusion?