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On a statistical basis, the sheer number of stars makes it almost certain that life had developed somewhere else though probably we will never know for certain. I think it likely that intelligent life could have evolved elsewhere. While it is not too likely that we will ever know that, either, we must consider that they may also be looking for us. Like us, they probably feel the need to move on from global to intergalactic conflict.
I voted 'It may exist'. Given the sheer size of the universe, I'd be surprised if it didn't. However, it's a harsh, chaotic and cruel universe, so who knows, we may be it.
My thinking is exactly the same, but I picked probably exists. Maybe that's evidence the last poll option is the correct one?
On a statistical basis, the sheer number of stars makes it almost certain that life had developed somewhere else though probably we will never know for certain. I think it likely that intelligent life could have evolved elsewhere. While it is not too likely that we will ever know that, either, we must consider that they may also be looking for us. Like us, they probably feel the need to move on from global to intergalactic conflict.
I agree. Billions and billions of stars with planets makes it almost a certainty that there are some planets that can support life. Some of those DO support life. Some of those started developing life long before ours. Some of them are in earlier stages.
Therefore, I'm deducing that there are civilizations out there that are much advanced over ours. (Just think of the technological advances made in the last 200 years and then assume that another civilization has a 5000 year head start on us.) I also infer that the opposite is true. There are cave men on some other planets.
It may also be a stretch to assume that another civilization would have any interest in ours. They might just as easily look at us through their telescopes and laugh as our poor attempts at technology.
Billions and billions of stars with planets makes it almost a certainty that there are some planets that can support life. Some of those DO support life.
Yes, and when Earthlings leave the home planet and populate the universe, we will almost certainly want to visit and, most likely, colonize those planets.
I'm pretty sure extraterrestrial life exists. I just wonder whether we should be searching for it. We could be biting off more than we can chew!
With current technology it is doubtful we could expect anything more than radio contact and that will be mostly one way conversations as we have yet to detect any artificial radio signals. Which probably means any civilization of radio is at least several hundred light years distance from us. If we send out a deliberate radio signal today, it will be hundreds of years before anybody receives it.
With current technology it is doubtful we could expect anything more than radio contact and that will be mostly one way conversations as we have yet to detect any artificial radio signals. Which probably means any civilization of radio is at least several hundred light years distance from us. If we send out a deliberate radio signal today, it will be hundreds of years before anybody receives it.
You raise a valid point. The greater the distance of an object, the farther back in time it is. If there's an alien civilization located say 500 light years from us and are just now detecting the Earth, they'd be detecting the Earth as it was 500 years ago, long before we had any means of transmitting radio signals.
Even by sending out radio signals from Earth at the present time, I suspect those signals could be incredibly weak the farther out they travel. We're pressing the limits of current technology just to pick up signals from distant probes we've sent out. We'd have to have extremely powerful transmitters to stand out from all the other noise and static of interstellar space.
Even if a highly intelligent civilization close enough to pick up some of the earliest transmissions from Earth, it's unlikey there's anything to be concerned about in terms of a threatening invasion, simply because of the distance required to travel through space. On the other hand, if such alien intelligent life has a technology that's highly advanced, they might have found a way to use quantum entanglement with their transportation, in effect, instant teleportation regardless of the distance. If that's the case, then all bets are off.
I'm pretty sure extraterrestrial life exists. I just wonder whether we should be searching for it. We could be biting off more than we can chew!
I am of the same opinion as Stephan Hawking. I don't think we should be advertizing our existence. If the laws of nature are truly universal, then surely the universe is full of "lions, tigers, and bears".
For anyone interested in this theme, I highly recommend "The Forge of God", and it's sequel "Anvil of Stars", by Greg Bear. It describes in detail what could happen if we come into contact with these "lions, tigers, and bears".
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