TFA has the same problem the Drake equation has in general. We lack the insight to judge whether -24 is a reasonable exponent. Why shouldn't it be -35, or any other number?
I don't think the paper is arguing whether it is a reasonable exponent or not. They are just saying IF the exponent is -24 or smaller, then there is more than one technologically advanced species. It makes no claim about how close to reality that exponent is.
Comments
TFA has the same problem the Drake equation has in general. We lack the insight to judge whether -24 is a reasonable exponent. Why shouldn't it be -35, or any other number?
I don't think the paper is arguing whether it is a reasonable exponent or not. They are just saying IF the exponent is -24 or smaller, then there is more than one technologically advanced species. It makes no claim about how close to reality that exponent is.
Right, TFA is at least as pointless as the Drake equation itself.