Are We Alone in the Universe?

[DrDawkinstein]

But saying there's intelligent life out there is like looking at the plankton in the same cup and saying "Look! Whales!"

 

Quite simply: you don't know what you don't know.

 

I think the point is to avoid speaking in absolutes before you know for sure, either way.

[Ramius]

While i do believe unquestioned that there is life out there, there's no telling what "form" it takes and what type of "intelligence" it has. Furthermore, on the chance that we DO discover signs of life elsewhere, there is absolutely nothing we can do about it once discovered.

[ajzepp]

While i do believe unquestioned that there is life out there, there's no telling what "form" it takes and what type of "intelligence" it has. Furthermore, on the chance that we DO discover signs of life elsewhere, there is absolutely nothing we can do about it once discovered.

 

One thing is certain...if there is other intelligent life in the universe, they have a little more respect and admiration for "The Beautiful Game" than you do, mister.

[CosmicBills]

Good stuff in this thread.

[PromoTheRobot]

Re: UFO's...there are plenty of flying objects one might not be able to identify. So yes, UFOs are real but they are more likely secret military craft than alien spaceships.

 

While I am certain there advanced alien races somewhere, I doubt we will ever make contact due to the distances between stars. Also consider the sliver of time civilized races exist before destroying themselves, as we are apt to do eventually. By the time we get a signal from them and respond, they will have blown themselves up because their god told them to smite their version of infidels.

 

PTR

[Jim in Anchorage]

Re: UFO's...there are plenty of flying objects one might not be able to identify. So yes, UFOs are real but they are more likely secret military craft than alien spaceships.

 

While I am certain there advanced alien races somewhere, I doubt we will ever make contact due to the distances between stars. Also consider the sliver of time civilized races exist before destroying themselves, as we are apt to do eventually. By the time we get a signal from them and respond, they will have blown themselves up because their god told them to smite their version of infidels.

 

PTR

Maybe on their world Eve never ate the apple.

[DC Tom]

Re: UFO's...there are plenty of flying objects one might not be able to identify. So yes, UFOs are real but they are more likely secret military craft than alien spaceships.

 

While I am certain there advanced alien races somewhere, I doubt we will ever make contact due to the distances between stars. Also consider the sliver of time civilized races exist before destroying themselves, as we are apt to do eventually. By the time we get a signal from them and respond, they will have blown themselves up because their god told them to smite their version of infidels.

 

PTR

 

I'll bet you're a real hoot at parties.

[CosmicBills]

Another option should be added to the 2nd question:

 

"No because mankind will cease to exist before contact is made".

That's a good call ... I'll make that change.

[CosmicBills]

This made my head hurt but it belongs in this thread.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=nQOyJUDTKdM

Edited April 20, 2012 by tgreg99

[LeviF]

OK, time to fess up: who said that they had a genuine sighting?

[truth on hold]

IDK but that "ancient aliens" series on history channel was awfully entertaining and informative from a "places of interest" perspective.

[Bufcomments]

Yes, I'm bored. But I'm also curious. Now, it could just be because of the industry I work in or the state I live in, but it seems to me that more people than ever are openly proclaiming that there is other intelligent life in the universe outside of our solar system. I remember growing up at a time when believing in ETs was tantamount to wearing a sign on your back that either read "Delusional" or "Please wedgie me now" depending on your age.

 

But within the last decade we've seen NASA announce the discovery of hundreds of new planets outside out solar system (with the numbers rising by the day) and it seems more and more people believe we're not alone. Heck, even the Vatican came out recently and said that there is other life out there in the cosmos besides our own. Is that a sign they know something we don't and are trying to get ahead of the game? Or is it just the Vatican's way of trying to stay relevant in light of humanity's ever growing understanding of the universe?

 

So now I turn to my constant source of knowledge and wisdom: Off The Wall. What say you? Are we alone in this universe? I understand the temptation will exist for this thread to become an unending string of one-liners. And I'm certain that at least some of those will be downright hilarious. But still, I'm hoping to get honest responses from the people out there.

You bet this is more life out there somewhere. God would not limit himself just to Earth. But he did send his Son here so we extra special.

 

Was that to deep? I hope not

[Cugalabanza]

This made my head hurt but it belongs in this thread.

 

youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=nQOyJUDTKdM

Wow, that guy is tripping out hard in those woods.

[LeviF]

You bet this is more life out there somewhere. God would not limit himself just to Earth. But he did send his Son here so we extra special.

 

Was that to deep? I hope not

Yeah dude. That **** blew my mind. Boom. Wow.

 

We extra special now.

Edited April 23, 2012 by LeviF91

[Fan in San Diego]

Re: UFO's...there are plenty of flying objects one might not be able to identify. So yes, UFOs are real but they are more likely secret military craft than alien spaceships.

 

While I am certain there advanced alien races somewhere, I doubt we will ever make contact due to the distances between stars. Also consider the sliver of time civilized races exist before destroying themselves, as we are apt to do eventually. By the time we get a signal from them and respond, they will have blown themselves up because their god told them to smite their version of infidels.

 

PTR

 

Ya, what if the other planets are Al Quieda and proclaim Jihad on us.

[Pilsner]

If there was a planet called Lesbos...

 

I think PTR is right with his sliver thinking. Who knows how old the universe is or how large. We just don't know and it's beyond our scope of thought. How many intelligent life forms have flourished for who knows how long in the past and suddenly or slowly ceased to exist. If there is a God he would surely work his wonders in other regions besides our little planet.

 

There isn't a question asking if we think some sort of contact has already been made in the past.

Edited April 23, 2012 by Pilsner

[Chandler#81]

What we understand as basics for life (breathing, water, minerals) may not be essentials 'elsewhere'. If we do encounter alien life, it will likely be them visiting us as we're pretty much stuck on how to further and faster propell us outward and we dont live very long -all things considered. As such, if they can find us, they're going to be become immediate masters of our world.

 

So I hope there's nothing else..

[Pilsner]

Chandler you're probably right about the essentials. We just don't know what we don't know. Also it is a bit unnerving that if beings visited earth they would have their way with us if they were so inclined. On the other hand if somehow we were able to visit another world we would probably try to take advantage of the situation to the detriment of our new found friends.

[Ramius]

One thing is certain...if there is other intelligent life in the universe, they have a little more respect and admiration for "The Beautiful Game" than you do, mister.

 

What?

[DC Tom]

What?

 

I think he's talking about boxing.