Billions and billions. Carl Sagan used to say that a lot. He used that expression to make a point and it worked. But was his point valid?
The billions and billions Carl referred to were stars. Yes, there are indeed billions and billions of them. His argument went on to say that because there are so many stars, billions and billions, there must be planets, and therefore, life out there in great numbers.
That may be but not just because of the large numbers. Here's something to consider. Our sun is smaller than 99% of the stars, which are other suns, that you can see. And yet, our sun is bigger than 99% of all the other suns out there! Think about that paradox. It's true.
So? Well, think about it. The big suns throw out a lot of dangerous stuff---X-Rays, Gamma Rays and other highly toxic stuff. Destructive stuff. And those big suns are HOT. Really hot. We know that most other suns could not support life.
The little suns don't produce enough heat. For a little sun to support life, it would have to be perfectly placed and perfectly equipped. Life needs water and life needs carbon.
Life needs lots of other ingredients that aren't abundant out there.
We also know that stars hang out in galaxies. As you go toward the center of a galaxy, the stars get closer and closer together. We know that stars are way too close together to allow life forms near the center of our galaxy. Things are just way too intense deep inside a galaxy. Yet that's where most of the stars are. Our little sun is way out, two thirds of the way out, from the center of our own galaxy and we are somewhat isolated on one of the spiral arms. We're special.
Don't get me wrong. I'm not saying there is no life out there. There could be. But just because there are billions and billions of other suns does not prove the case.
Is there a business application to this? You bet. Or rather, you'd better not bet.
When someone tries to sell you advertising, they will get you to picture billions and billions of impressions. Surely all those impressions will generate a fortune for your business! Right?
If your product isn't selling, billions and billions of impressions won't make it sell.
