Are we alone in the universe?

[nickstricks007]

You watch too many documentaries on TV, although that can be good too.

Actually, the last "documentary" I watched was the hatfield and mccoy mini series on history channel lol.

OT: You can definitely make an argument for or against life elsewhere in the universe. I just think there are too many variables and unknowns to argue against it, yet. Once we know and understand the universe and all its moving parts fully (which I don't see happening anytime soon if ever) only then will we be able to somewhat answer this question. And even then, we'd still be guessing until we actually contact said civilization.

 

[Zenodroid]

Ofc not

 

[davislane1]

Are we alone? Probably not.

Does that matter? Unless someone out there has a particular interest in this planet, no.

 

[davislane1]

I am surprised no one religious showed up yet, not that I have anything against it, it's just weird.

I'm a theist, if that counts. However, seeing as most popular tech sites are populated by atheists and a smattering of agnostics, it's not surprising at all.

 

[wiyosaya]

I am surprised no one religious showed up yet, not that I have anything against it, it's just weird.

As I see it, modern religions are generally accepting of scientific views of the universe. From my viewpoint, one finds rejection of science only on the extremely conservative end of the religious spectrum. Long gone are the days of persecution of scientists by "religious" authorities. It is pretty hard to argue against something like the uranium-lead cycle, for instance, that is used in radio-dating.

 

[Igrecman]

Today's scientists think they can understand how the Universe works, but their theories as always will be imperfect, until they know all the laws that rule the vastness of space. They are only starting to grasp how strange quantum mechanics is. They suspect there are 11 dimensions, but they only know four of them (String theory possibly the fifth one). They know nothing about dark matter but they know it's there and that it's important.

So how can we trust that any theory they put forward is perfectly spot on? Because of mathematics? Possibly... but only if the theory and the perceived data to do the math with is right. One can very well have a wrong idea but make it seem right by adjusting the math to match our human perceptions. If an alien civilization is able to perceive and make use of, let's say 8 of the 11 dimensions, they would be able accomplish things we think are impossible.

Perhaps one of the dimensions allows them (if they exist) to dematerialize and transfer themselves as pure energy to any area of the universe and rematerialize once there.
Perhaps their energy source is dark matter, or the vacuum itself. (it's proven the vacuum of space is or has energy).
Perhaps they have discovered an element that, used in a certain way, has anti-gravity properties. (element 115 Ununpentium, in some scyfy docu)
The more we will know about the universe, the more it will seem strange, maybe almost as strange as quantum mechanics. In the meantime, everybody will keep speculating and being far from the truth.

 

[misor]

Science meet Religion, Jesus was an extraterrestrial.
Seriously though, that's a question that can have multitudes of different answers without ever knowing if any of them are right. I believe the best way to go about answering it is to have an open mind and know that even though we have math and science we still can't accurately estimate how many civilizations could exist in our timeline. I'm sure the ant in the front yard is never aware of the spider in the backyard. We could just ask Scott Waring to explain it to us, but he'd probably deny they exist outside of our solar system. Just keep looking up.

if I remembered correctly, there was a science-religious movement in Cebu City, Philippines about two decades ago: spaceship 2000 E.T by someone named Father Tropa (?). this old man believes that jesus is an alien and will come back again using his spaceship. I did not laugh at his beliefs since I saw how he cared deeply for the environment.

as for the question, yes we are alone. pics or we are really alone...

 

[Uncle Al]

So many opinions, so much evidence, so many theories all being pro and con. Unfortunately, this topic like so many is riddled with fables and out right lies that any attempt at a pure and sincere answer will always be tainted, so until there is evidence .... irrefutable evidence, it will always be a big MAYBE. Part of me wants us to know and the other part is deathly afraid to find out. Perhaps this is part of the big master plan of having a few questions that can not or probably will not be answered; all in effort to test our commitment, our faith, and the sincerity of our own beliefs. To what end we will probably never know .........

 

[Adhmuz]

The question shouldn't be "Are we alone in the Universe" but instead How long before contact is made with us. There should be no question regarding whether there is life apart from us out there, but how long before it reaches us. Given the vastness of space and the distance separating us from even the nearest galaxy even a civilization with far superior technology could potentially be thousands if not tens of thousands of light years away. Factor in a round trip for said civilization and it becomes a huge risk to even consider traveling that far and for that long without first knowing what awaits you on the other end.

As it stands right now, humans don't live long enough nor have we come up with a viable way of preserving a life for extended space voyages, however even then we have monumental challenges ahead of us to consider.

 

[tonylukac]

You know, I'm pretty lonely altho a battleax lives next door.

 

[Igrecman]

Not so long ago, scientists thought that what couldn't be seen with the naked eye couldn't possibly exist. That's one example out of hundreds that reality will never cease to surprise us as science evolves. Still today, there is surely stuff we are wrong thinking it's impossible or simply can't be. I think some huge discoveries we know nothing about now, will shape humanity in the coming centuries. Thankfully, nobody will be there to prove me wrong LOL.

 

[captaincranky]

So many opinions, so much evidence, so many theories all being pro and con. Unfortunately, this topic like so many is riddled with fables and out right lies that any attempt at a pure and sincere answer will always be tainted, so until there is evidence .... irrefutable evidence, it will always be a big MAYBE. Part of me wants us to know and the other part is deathly afraid to find out. .

Well, perhaps its a null discussion. I'm sure we've all been inundated with enough sci-fi fantasies that we'd like to believe that "warp drive" is possible.

More that likely, it isn't. And the aliens you imagine will be coming to turn earth into a cattle farm, (with us on top of the menu), will also, just like us, live until their inevitable extinction, in their own little ghetto. They'll also likely do it with the same drug issues, the same racial tensions, and the same underfunded school systems with which we do. Um, while their governments listen in to their cell phone calls.

 

[deemon]

Yes you guys are alone. I'm just watching you from shadows ... with all my other alien brothers and sisters.

 

[SirGCal]

On the flipside, show me "intelligent" life on THIS planet... A few individuals sure, but as a whole... bleh.

 

[cliffordcooley]

Morals is what we lack, not intelligence.

 

[Raoul Duke]

I am a solipsist, so of course I am alone in the universe. In fact, none of you exist either so I guess I'm just talking to myself

 

[treetops]

So many opinions, so much evidence, so many theories all being pro and con. Unfortunately, this topic like so many is riddled with fables and out right lies that any attempt at a pure and sincere answer will always be tainted, so until there is evidence .... irrefutable evidence, it will always be a big MAYBE. Part of me wants us to know and the other part is deathly afraid to find out. .

Well, perhaps its a null discussion. I'm sure we've all been inundated with enough sci-fi fantasies that we'd like to believe that "warp drive" is possible.

More that likely, it isn't. And the aliens you imagine will be coming to turn earth into a cattle farm, (with us on top of the menu), will also, just like us, live until their inevitable extinction, in their own little ghetto. They'll also likely do it with the same drug issues, the same racial tensions, and the same underfunded school systems with which we do. Um, while their governments listen in to their cell phone calls.

If they can travel this far and with enough consistency to enslave us. They would likely have unlimited food supply. Drugs without hang over or dependency. Brain radio wave education (whether you like it or not).

 

[ET3D]

I try to find new angles, so here's my current one:

How much out of a planet's life will a civilisation last? We know that it took life on Earth about 3 billion years to evolve to a technological society. We don't know how much our civilisation will last, but we know that the more advance a civilisation is, the more it is capable of harming itself and its planet. So let's assume that technological civilisations implode after 3000 years. Now the question is what happens, do they kill all life or do they kill only themselves. Suppose they leave enough life to develop to another technological civilisation in 300 million years. So 1 / 100,000 of the time (ignoring the first rise of technology) would have a technological civilisation.

Now, what's the chance of two technological civilisations to exist at the same time? I'm too lazy to continue at this moment, but that's where I'd like to go.

 

[Mister_K]

This question again... You would be a damn fool to think that we are.

 

[Razer]

Simple answer: Yes, we are alone ..until now

 

[cliffordcooley]

Yep and the Earth was flat until the 17th century.

 

[Camikazi]

I am a solipsist, so of course I am alone in the universe. In fact, none of you exist either so I guess I'm just talking to myself

Does your name happen to be Jessica Sorrow?

 

[darkzelda]

It would be the saddest discovery ever, there should be at least thousands of planets booming with life.

 

[captaincranky]

Yep and the Earth was flat until the 17th century.

Was the earth still "flat" when Columbus discovered America? Because that was the 15th century.

Although I'm certain there are quite a few who are clinging to the concept, even at this very minute. To name just a "few", all of ISIS, Pat Robertson, Jerry Falwell, George W. Bush, and what's his name, the dictator from North Korea.

I cling to the same belief system that Donald Trump does, the world revolves around me. I just don't have the means to announce it to the rest of the world. (Which is why I'm posting it here ).

 

[captaincranky]

If they can travel this far and with enough consistency to enslave us. They would likely have unlimited food supply..

It would appear you've never watched the TV mini-series "V".

Drugs without hang over or dependency.

I still believe "Soma" is out there, somewhere in the Himalayas.

Brain radio wave education (whether you like it or not)

We have "brain wave education" already. It's called either "advertising", or "the internet", or possibly, "internet advertising which you can now access on your cell phone". But you're quite right, I don't think it's the best idea ever, especially the cell phone aspect of it.