http://metachat.org/index.php?disp=comments en-US http://backend.userland.com/rss 60 Fri, 10 Oct 2008 19:43:46 +0000 c442465@http://metachat.org Ah, Extraterrestrial anthropology is getting some hits. Extraterrestrial anthropology is getting some hits.]]> http://metachat.org/index.php/2008/10/10/askmecha_academic_disciplines_dealing_wi#c442465 Fri, 10 Oct 2008 20:23:28 +0000 c442472@http://metachat.org Exobiology or xenology? xenology?]]> http://metachat.org/index.php/2008/10/10/askmecha_academic_disciplines_dealing_wi#c442472 Fri, 10 Oct 2008 20:47:33 +0000 c442476@http://metachat.org An actual academic discipline? Uh, what do they study? I can imagine it discussed in sf-type circles as a hobby and given a fancy name, but outside of extracurricular courses, I can't imagine teaching anyone anything about it. Beyond broad and horribly sample-biased assumptions, that is. * The Drake equation is academically interesting, at least in terms of examining one's assumptions * Exobiology is a term originated by Carl Sagan; astrobiology is something actually practiced by NASA scientists actual academic discipline? Uh, what do they study?

I can imagine it discussed in sf-type circles as a hobby and given a fancy name, but outside of extracurricular courses, I can't imagine teaching anyone anything about it. Beyond broad and horribly sample-biased assumptions, that is.

* The Drake equation is academically interesting, at least in terms of examining one's assumptions
* Exobiology is a term originated by Carl Sagan; astrobiology is something actually practiced by NASA scientists]]> http://metachat.org/index.php/2008/10/10/askmecha_academic_disciplines_dealing_wi#c442476 Fri, 10 Oct 2008 22:19:31 +0000 c442484@http://metachat.org I bet you're thinking of Speaker for the Dead. http://metachat.org/index.php/2008/10/10/askmecha_academic_disciplines_dealing_wi#c442484