Editing 718: The Flake Equation
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==Explanation== | ==Explanation== | ||
− | This strip parodies the {{w|Drake equation}}, which is an method for estimating of the number of detectable extraterrestrial civilizations | + | This strip parodies the {{w|Drake equation}}, which is an method for estimating of the number of detectable extraterrestrial civilizations iur galaxy. Th Drake equation starts with the best estimate for the number of stars in our galaxy, then multiplies it by successive probabilities (such as the number of stars with planets, the number of planets which can support life, etc), to ultimately calculate how many civilizatins exist. While such a calculation necessarily uses speculative numbers, it gives a good sense of how many civilizations could potentially exist. |
− | + | The Flake equation presented in this strip provides an estimate about how many false or fake stories ''about'' aliens are likely to exis. It does so n simiar nner as the Drake equation, by starting with the entire population, estimating how many people are likely to believe that they've had an alien encounter, and then calculating how liely those stories are to become public. Just inthe Drake euatn, exact numbers are unknownut ca be estimated, and the euation in the comic shows [[Randall|Randall's]] guesses about these values. See an [[#Explanations of values|explanations of values]] below. | |
− | The Flake equation presented in this strip provides an estimate about how many false or fake stories ''about'' aliens are likely to | + | "Flake" is American slang for a person who is casually dishonest or unreliable, implying that such a person wuld be likely to imagine a |
− | + | The final results tells us that there should be about 100,000 tories about aliens that have reliable explnations. (The numbrs given in the equot necessarily mean that many people actually met aliens. | |
− | "Flake" is American slang for a person who is casually dishonest or unreliable, implying that such a person | + | The title text refers to Fermi's Lack-of-a-Paradox. The {{w|Fermi paradox}} refers to the contradiction between high numbers of calc at least seen some clear evidence of their existence. There are multiple explanations for this paradox, but it remains a question of scientific debate. The Lack-of-a-Paradox in this strip, however, is that the math suggests that there should be huge numbers of claimed alien sightings, and that's exactly wha we obsere |
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− | The final results tells us that there should be about 100,000 | ||
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− | The title text refers to Fermi's Lack-of-a-Paradox. The {{w|Fermi paradox}} refers to the contradiction between high numbers of | ||
Another comic parodying this equation is [[384: The Drake Equation]]. The credibility of paranormal reports in general is revisited in [[1235: Settled]], which posits that if such phenomena were real they should have been unambiguously captured on camera by now. | Another comic parodying this equation is [[384: The Drake Equation]]. The credibility of paranormal reports in general is revisited in [[1235: Settled]], which posits that if such phenomena were real they should have been unambiguously captured on camera by now. |