Q20 - Paula: Earthlike planets seem to be the rule

[Laura Damone]

Question Type:
ID the Disagreement

Stimulus Breakdown:
Paula: Earthlike planets are the rule, not the exception. As such, there are probably intelligent aliens who would have basically the same understanding of math and physics as we do, and thus would have discovered all the things that led to technologies like radio communication. So, we can experct our radio telescopes to detect signs of intelligent aliens.

Ashley: Saying aliens would develop the same technology we have is like saying they'd have the same legal or political systems we have. Our science, math, and technology are unique outgrowths of our physiology, cognitive makeup and environment. Using radio telescopes to search for intelligent life is a waste of time and money.

Answer Anticipation:
There's a lot of text here, and Paula makes a lot of wild claims, but there seem to be two principles on which Paula and Ashley disagree. The first is whether or not the existence of intelligent life implies that the intelligent aliens would develop radio technology. The second is whether searching for intelligent life using radio telescopes is likely to be successful.

Correct answer:
A

Answer choice analysis:
(A) Right out of the gate, a match to our prephrase! If we interviewed the speakers about this, Paula would say that it is probable while Ashley would say that it is not.

(B) While Ashley implies that this is improbable, Paula hasn't articulated an opinion on it.

(C) Again, Ashley weighs in on this but Paula doesn't.

(D) Tricky! Paula definitively states that this is likely. But Ashley doesn't dispute that. She only disputes the chances of them developing radio technology and the use of radio telescopes to locate them.

(E) Neither speaker addresses this. Ashley says the radio telescope searches are a waste of time and money, but not that searching for intelligent life more generally is a waste.

Takeaway/Pattern:
Don’t get intimidated by long stimuli. Paula's argument isn't hard to understand. When you get to Ashley, make sure you consider what pieces of Paula's argument she's actively refuting. That will point you to the right answer.

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