h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Do you think we are alone in the Universe? Or does the idea of countless alien civilisations appeal to you?

What do you think the implications would be if either of these opinions were found to be correct?

Most estimates based on probability lead to the conclusion that there are probably several thousand intelligent civilisations within this galaxy. Personally, I would like nothing more than to see some of them. In fact, I would probably _literally_ like nothing more.

I agree. Personally, I find it difficult to comprehend the idea that Earth is the only place in the Universe that harbours life. I think it is quite arrogant to assume that we are alone, that theory makes the human race the most special think in the universe.

Of course we are not alone... but we do as a race feel alone though, remember we are on one of the outer arms of our galaxy, we are not near to any other solar systems, we are the equivalent of Hull in the galaxy... no one well probably spare the time to come and visit us, when they more than likely have lots and lots of people in nearby starsystems that they can go and visit and say Hi and so on..

Good point about Hull.

I sometimes compare the Earth as a whole to an ancient Amazonian tribe - cut off from everyone but themselves, while at the same time, the Europes and Asias of the Universe are exploring, building enormous structures, creating fantastic works of art, forging alliances and fighting wars.

Imagine what we are missing!

It certainly seems more implausable to think that among the billions upon trillions (probably even more) of stars in the 'known' universe, that the accidental circumstances that led to us has not happened to a fashion elsewhere... unless you beleive the Bible or whatever...

and I don't subscribe to the argument that says, well if there is intelligent life out there, why haven't they visited us?... well, we haven't visited anyone have we... haven't gone further than the moon yet...

I know some people will say 'perhaps we have been visited'... but that's another story altogether...

Life i think there is, civilisations i'm less sure. How can we assume that evolution leads to the rise of 'civilisations' even a minute fraction of time it runs its course. Of these civilisations how many would want, or be able to escape their own gravitational fields. Even if they did, would they so short-lived as to miss each other completely. So many questions, so few answers

Remember that probability estimates are based on a whole series of assumptions multiplied up that could each be wildly inaccurate ... and the upshot of all that is - i'm firmly on the fence. We don't know. But its a great question

Our 'civilisations' have only been able to flourish because we had the chance to develope big brains and dominate the rest of the planet.

Maybe the story of the dinousaurs is a much more common one in the Universe i.e. stupid but powerful creatures dominating the environment, stopping more fragile (but potentially more intelligent) forms of life from flourishing.

I think we were very lucky the dinosaurs were wiped out.

Show us a second planet anywhere else that supports life and you can postulate thousands or even millions of others. Until such time it is possible that the Earth is unique. Unlikely but possible. Huge numbers of stars and star systems mean nothing until the second inhabited planet turns up.

Just because the earth is unique doesn't rule out different kind of life starting on different kinds of planets. I think we are far to arrogant when it comes to this - always looking for star trek type aliens when it's far more likely that life evolved completely differently on completly inhospitable (to us) planets.

"What do you think the implications would be if either of these opinions were found to be correct?"

Particularly for religion if other intelligent life is out there... and they perhaps have their own, disimilar faith system....

Lots of scientists believe that we will stumble across life many times without recognising it because we look for the familiar (carbon-based etc).

Why aren't we drilling Europa yet?!?!?!?!?!?!

I wouldn't be surprised to discover that there are many faith-systems similar to our own in place in Alien civilisations. It seems a fairly 'natural' thing to believe (if I can use the word 'natural' in this thread).

I agree, but i can't see life developing in the absence of water. Is this arrogance? No, i think this is a decent argument. On Earth there is life almost everywhere there is water, and vice-versa. Is it just an accident of how life developed on Earth, or something more fundamental? If you agree that water is essential, then that places real limits on where life can develop - then we're into finding 'habitable zones' where liquid water can exist. Water seems - so far - to be quite rare in the solar system, especially in its liquid form. But who knows about the rest of the universe?

ermmm that was a reply to post 10

ah, but maybe the biological make-up of such creatures renders the need for a religious faith redundant... particularly if they are sufficiently advanced to have a greater understanding of the universe.. quantum theory, alternative universes etc...

how would anybody of faith on earth now be able to continue with their beleifs...

I agree to a certain extent. But I think of water more as a catalyst for life, rather than a nessessity. Perhaps life just takes longer without water - the elements required don't get washed around as much without it. A stormy planet with high and constant winds could do the same job as water, i.e. mixing up elements and so on.

Of course, this is pure speculation, but thats what this thread is about.

that was a reply to post 14 by the way.

FiedlersFizzle,

I think the church would have to undergo an enormous reform to encorporate that sort of things into the dogma, and I think it would lose some support and influence. But I think faith will always be in us.

yes.. the church would certainly have some explaining/re-interpreting to do... I guess you're right, they will manage to skew the texts to fit any new developments...

after all, discovering the world is round didn't stop them...

anyway, that's off topic...

back to intelligent life out there....