Earth

What makes Earth special.

Pretty much everything about it. The entire universe is special in a way that makes earth possible. Water in liquid form. Magnetic field protecting it from life destroying cosmic rays. Gas giants protecting it from impacts. Perfect distance from sun. Perfect type of sun. Large stabilizing moon. Perfect amount of spin and tilt. It goes on and on. Almost too many factors to count that combined are all necessary for life to be here.

Those scientists at the end of the article who think life is probably on "billions" of worlds are fooling themselves. There are certainly billions of other planets the size of earth out there, but the statistics are infinitessimally small that any of them would have all the necessary conditions for life.

On top of all this, even more fascinating is that Earth also happens to be in a perfect place in the galaxy and solar system for us to be able to observe our universe effectively, and learn all that we have about it.

The question remains: is this all random chance, or is there a design, plan, and designer? There is a lot of randomness, and a lot of order. Essentially, the question is unanswereable by science, and must be answered by our philosphical and religious preferences.

I personally agree with this interpretation of the data:

The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
2 Day after day they pour forth speech;
night after night they display knowledge.

3 There is no speech or language
where their voice is not heard.

4 Their voice goes out into all the earth,
their words to the ends of the world.

Psalm 19