--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Within the scientific community, there is…" description: "\"Within the scientific community, there is healthy skepticism. And the question is, 'How do you ever get to a meaningful null result? How long and how h..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/03d/debra-fischer-19620_alone_within-the-scientific-community-there-is_2977003.jpg" --- # Within the scientific community, there is healthy… ![“Within the scientific community, there is healthy skepticism. And the question is, 'How do you ever get to a meaningful null result? How long and how hard do SETI scientists have to look for extraterrestrial intelligence and find nothing before they say, 'There is nothing. We are alone.'” quote by Debra Fischer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/03d/debra-fischer-19620_alone_within-the-scientific-community-there-is_2977003.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/03d/debra-fischer-19620_alone_within-the-scientific-community-there-is_2977003.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/03d/debra-fischer-19620_alone_within-the-scientific-community-there-is_2977003.jpg) > “Within the scientific community, there is healthy skepticism. And the question is, 'How do you ever get to a meaningful null result? How long and how hard do SETI scientists have to look for extraterrestrial intelligence and find nothing before they say, 'There is nothing. We are alone.'” [Debra Fischer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debra-fischer/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Scientific progress relies on rigorous testing and accepting null results as valuable data. **In simple terms:** Null results guide future research. Key Takeaway Embrace and publish null findings. Themes science skepticism research methodology SETI Mood analytical thoughtful Type educational inspirational When to use this quote - astronomy research - grant proposals - academic publishing - experimental design Key Concepts null hypothesis data interpretation patience Questions to Reflect On - How can we incentivize publishing null results? - What biases affect interpretation of null data? A Different Perspective Null results may be underreported, limiting collective knowledge. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Alone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/alone/) [Community](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/community/) [Extraterrestrial Intelligence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/extraterrestrial-intelligence-566898/) [Health](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/health/) [Healthy Skepticism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/healthy-skepticism-277935/) [Intelligence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/intelligence/) [Long](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/long/) [Science](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/science/) [Seti Scientists](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/seti-scientists-4610829/) [Skepticism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/skepticism/) [Skepticism Question](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/skepticism-question-4610828/) [Space](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/space/) [Truth Seeking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/truth-seeking/) ## Related quotes > [I think I developed a culture of healthy skepticism of claims of certainty on any side of the aisle. A sort of boldness in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-plotz/i-think-i-developed-a-culture-of-healthy-skepticism-of-claims-of/) [David Plotz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-plotz/) > [In science, a healthy skepticism is a professional necessity, whereas in religion, having belief without evidence is regarded as a virtue.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-davies/in-science-a-healthy-skepticism-is-a-professional-necessity-whereas/) [Paul Davies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-davies/) > [I simply go with what works. And what works is the healthy skepticism embodied in the scientific method. Believe me, if the Bible had…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-degrasse-tyson/i-simply-go-with-what-works-and-what-works-is-the-healthy-skepticism/) [Neil deGrasse Tyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-degrasse-tyson/) > [There are science teachers who actually claim that they teach "a healthy skepticism." They do not. They teach a profound gullibility, and their dupes,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-standen/there-are-science-teachers-who-actually-claim-that-they-teach-a/) [Anthony Standen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-standen/) > [As a conservative, I maintain a healthy skepticism of the theory of man-made global warming. I also believe that more people enjoying the fruits…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-bauer/as-a-conservative-i-maintain-a-healthy-skepticism-of-the-theory-of/) [Gary Bauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-bauer/) > [“They were completely lacking in the sort of healthy skepticism needed to attain any degree of wisdom.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/haruki-murakami/they-were-completely-lacking-in-the-sort-of-healthy-skepticism-needed/) [Haruki Murakami](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/haruki-murakami/) > [I came in with a healthy skepticism about these programs. My team evaluated them. We scrubbed them thoroughly. We actually expanded some of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/i-came-in-with-a-healthy-skepticism-about-these-programs-my-team/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [The thing to keep in mind is that we're still in the very early days when it comes to the search for extraterrestrial intelligence.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-shostak/the-thing-to-keep-in-mind-is-that-we-re-still-in-the-very-early-days/) [Seth Shostak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-shostak/) > [“I'm frequently asked, "Do you believe there's extraterrestrial intelligence?" I give the standard arguments- there are a lot of places out there, the molecules…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-sagan/i-m-frequently-asked-do-you-believe-there-s-extraterrestrial/) [Carl Sagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-sagan/) > [Extraterrestrial intelligence could have sent DNA-seed packets out through space to plant life on hospitable planets such as earth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-leary/extraterrestrial-intelligence-could-have-sent-dna-seed-packets-out/) [Timothy Leary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-leary/) > [Once He created the Big Bang... He could have envisioned it going in billions of directions as it evolved, including billions of life-forms and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-hesburgh/once-he-created-the-big-bang-he-could-have-envisioned-it-going-in/) [Theodore Hesburgh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-hesburgh/) > [“My conclusion is a startling one. I think it very likely—in fact inevitable—that biological intelligence is only a transitory phenomenon, a fleeting phase in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-davies/my-conclusion-is-a-startling-one-i-think-it-very-likely-in-fact/) [Paul Davies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-davies/) > [“We humans, as species, are interested in communication with extraterrestrial intelligence. Would not a good beginning be improved communication with terrestral intelligence, with other…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-sagan/we-humans-as-species-are-interested-in-communication-with/) [Carl Sagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-sagan/) > ["I know perfectly well that at this moment the whole universe is listening to us," Jean Giraudoux wrote in The Madwoman of Chaillot, "and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-drake/i-know-perfectly-well-that-at-this-moment-the-whole-universe-is/) [Frank Drake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-drake/) > [Clearly, unless thinking beings inevitably wipe themselves out soon after developing technology, extraterrestrial intelligence could often be millions or billions of years in advance…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-shostak/clearly-unless-thinking-beings-inevitably-wipe-themselves-out-soon/) [Seth Shostak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-shostak/) ## More by Debra Fischer > [The first exoplanet to be found around a sun-like star was discovered in 1995, just two years before I began studying exoplanet detection.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debra-fischer/the-first-exoplanet-to-be-found-around-a-sun-like-star-was-discovered/) [Debra Fischer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debra-fischer/) > [Naturally, we think that finding another Earth-like planet is identifying a site that's at least friendly here for the evolution of life. The primary…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debra-fischer/naturally-we-think-that-finding-another-earth-like-planet-is/) [Debra Fischer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debra-fischer/) > [Kepler's blown the lid off everything we know about extra-solar planets.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debra-fischer/kepler-s-blown-the-lid-off-everything-we-know-about-extra-solar/) [Debra Fischer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debra-fischer/) > [Our field is very focused on finding Earth 2.0, and anything we can do to narrow the search is helpful.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debra-fischer/our-field-is-very-focused-on-finding-earth-2-0-and-anything-we-can-do/) [Debra Fischer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debra-fischer/) > [It now seems logical that all the stars, like our own sun, must have formed with a system of planets around them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debra-fischer/it-now-seems-logical-that-all-the-stars-like-our-own-sun-must-have/) [Debra Fischer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debra-fischer/) > [In 1999, my team discovered that the star Upsilon Andromedae was circled by three gas-giant planets - the first distant multiplanet system ever found.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debra-fischer/in-1999-my-team-discovered-that-the-star-upsilon-andromedae-was/) [Debra Fischer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debra-fischer/) > [Because Alpha Centauri is so close, it is our first stop outside our solar system. There's almost certain to be small, rocky planets around…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debra-fischer/because-alpha-centauri-is-so-close-it-is-our-first-stop-outside-our/) [Debra Fischer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debra-fischer/) > [Diamond planets truly are the most precious.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debra-fischer/diamond-planets-truly-are-the-most-precious/) [Debra Fischer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debra-fischer/) > [As our sensitivity improves, we are finally seeing planets with longer orbital periods, planetary systems that look more like our solar system.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debra-fischer/as-our-sensitivity-improves-we-are-finally-seeing-planets-with-longer/) [Debra Fischer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debra-fischer/) > [Science requires speculation, creativity, and wild ideas.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debra-fischer/science-requires-speculation-creativity-and-wild-ideas/) [Debra Fischer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debra-fischer/) > [There's no doubt that the search for planets is motivated by the search for life. Humans are interested in whether or not life evolves…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debra-fischer/there-s-no-doubt-that-the-search-for-planets-is-motivated-by-the/) [Debra Fischer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debra-fischer/) > [Further ahead, I'd like to see tiny spacebots - smaller than your cell phone - travel outside our solar system to the nearest star…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debra-fischer/further-ahead-i-d-like-to-see-tiny-spacebots-smaller-than-your-cell/) [Debra Fischer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debra-fischer/) > [There may be hundreds of small seed planets - or planetesimals - which grow in the disk of matter around a star.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debra-fischer/there-may-be-hundreds-of-small-seed-planets-or-planetesimals-which/) [Debra Fischer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debra-fischer/) > [The gas-giant planets in our solar system all have large moons.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debra-fischer/the-gas-giant-planets-in-our-solar-system-all-have-large-moons/) [Debra Fischer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debra-fischer/) > [The universe has told us the most common types of planets are small planets, and our study shows these are exactly the ones that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debra-fischer/the-universe-has-told-us-the-most-common-types-of-planets-are-small/) [Debra Fischer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debra-fischer/) [Explore all 32 Debra Fischer quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debra-fischer/) ## More Alone quotes > [I can be taken away from myself quite easily, I kind of start betraying myself and compromising my integrity, to keep someone else happy.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aimee-lou-wood/i-can-be-taken-away-from-myself-quite-easily-i-kind-of-start/) [Aimee Lou Wood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aimee-lou-wood/) > [Perhaps our own opposition to even the level of European integration we have now, let alone any more, is well known.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nigel-farage/perhaps-our-own-opposition-to-even-the-level-of-european-integration/) [Nigel Farage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nigel-farage/) > [If your goal is to look different, you'll see results faster with strength training than with cardio alone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anna-kaiser/if-your-goal-is-to-look-different-you-ll-see-results-faster-with/) [Anna Kaiser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anna-kaiser/) > [With my songs, the question is always, 'Can you pull it off live, alone on just an acoustic guitar?' That's the litmus test. If…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shawn-colvin/with-my-songs-the-question-is-always-can-you-pull-it-off-live-alone/) [Shawn Colvin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shawn-colvin/) > [I should have liked to get married, but over many decades I have lived essentially alone. I go to sleep when I'm tired, get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/felix-dennis/i-should-have-liked-to-get-married-but-over-many-decades-i-have-lived/) [Felix Dennis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/felix-dennis/) > [I am not alone in that I've had times of unemployment - unemployment is huge amongst disabled people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosie-jones/i-am-not-alone-in-that-i-ve-had-times-of-unemployment-unemployment-is/) [Rosie Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosie-jones/) > [I never knew a heart could feel so cold so empty so broken until now , I don't know what to say I don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-never-knew-a-heart-could-feel-so-cold-so-empty-so-broken-until-now/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [If you're disabled or different from what general society deems normal, it's fine. There will always be people who won't accept you, but there…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/millicent-simmonds/if-you-re-disabled-or-different-from-what-general-society-deems/) [Millicent Simmonds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/millicent-simmonds/) > [Real love is a permanently self-enlarging experience…A Journey With My Girl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luckybannu/real-love-is-a-permanently-self-enlarging-experience-a-journey-with/) [Luckybannu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luckybannu/) > [“What I'm trying to say is that I spent the last four months learning to be alone, avoiding the world, hating pretty much anyone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrea-cremer/what-i-m-trying-to-say-is-that-i-spent-the-last-four-months-learning/) [Andrea Cremer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrea-cremer/) > [I'm used to being alone in a quiet, isolated environment - I'm kind of a low-energy, low-vibration, low-stamina person to begin with - so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ethel-cain/i-m-used-to-being-alone-in-a-quiet-isolated-environment-i-m-kind-of-a/) [Ethel Cain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ethel-cain/) > [“When I look back at myself at age twenty, what I remember most is being alone and lonely. I had no girlfriend to warm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/haruki-murakami/when-i-look-back-at-myself-at-age-twenty-what-i-remember-most-is/) [Haruki Murakami](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/haruki-murakami/) > [I have developed a nasty habit of losing to the guy who wins the tournament, and that alone makes you think what you could…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-robertson/i-have-developed-a-nasty-habit-of-losing-to-the-guy-who-wins-the/) [Neil Robertson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-robertson/) > [As a child, I was this record collector/listener that would sit in a room and listen to the entire Beatles catalog alone, over and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-cornell/as-a-child-i-was-this-record-collector-listener-that-would-sit-in-a/) [Chris Cornell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-cornell/) > [How one hates to think of oneself as alone. How one avoids it. It seems to imply rejection or unpopularity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-morrow-lindbergh/how-one-hates-to-think-of-oneself-as-alone-how-one-avoids-it-it-seems/) [Anne Morrow Lindbergh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-morrow-lindbergh/) [Browse all 3,082 Alone quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/alone/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Within the scientific community, there is healthy skepticism. And the question is, 'How do you ever get to a meaningful null result? How long and how hard do SETI scientists have to look for extraterrestrial intelligence and find nothing before they say, 'There is nothing. 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