Is it a question of if or when?
Let's assume that there is intelligent life elsewhere in the universe, far far more intelligent than us - is it a question IF or WHEN will they visit ...
Let’s assume that there is intelligent life elsewhere in the universe, far far more intelligent than us – is it a question IF or WHEN will they visit us? I know that one could say "Well, the universe is so vast that the chances of them visiting this one planet in our one solar system is very improbable", but what if they too are looking for planets capable of life, and with their assumed advanced technology, planet Earth came up on their radar? Will they act like foreigners passing through Los Angeles and skip the small uncivilized "ghetto" planets?
If they are intelligent enough they won’t have anything to do with us.
Seems like a question of IF, mate. Anything could happen.
Attention. Attention: We ARE a small uncivilised ghetto planet!
Constant war, constant crime. Most people just grubbing along trying to get by. Technology just barely getting off first base. Still based on biology. No robots yet. No artificial intelligence yet.
What could possibly draw an advanced race here? Think advanced. They have propulsion technology that we deem is impossible. What other impossible technology must they have. Do you really think truly advanced races look like little twentieth century dudes with funny haircuts who wear outfits rejected from a Kiss concert? Do you really think they would still be based on biology? We have nothing to offer that their technology could not create right there in their own planetary system.
My vote would be "IF". I think the flying spaghetti monster will surely get here first.
Cheers!
Surprise!
They ARE here now.Just Google for ufo sightings and you will find a legit sighting 7 days a week somewhere in the world.I have personally seen an Alien Space Craft approx three hundred feet away.
Here is a depiction of what 2 friends and I observed:
http://www.members.shaw.ca/val5662/ufo14feb2011.html
Val
Neither.
It is a matter of us finally accepting the fact that, while we may not be technically alone in the Universe, we will never encounter anyone else.
We must behave as if we are unique and special in the Universe. There are no space-brothers who will come down from the heavens and make everything make sense for us. It isn’t going to happen.
On the other hand, that also means that no one is going to land on the White House lawn and commence probing people or eating our brains.
I would say it is WHEN. There is a huge possibility of life elsewhere in the universe. But it could also be possible that we are the most advanced in the universe. We just do not know.
You are making an assumption that with an "advanced radar," they could see us as we are. But that is not true. An "advanced radar" of any kind would use signals that travel at the speed of light. Therefore, if they are at least 5,000 light years distant, as seems likely given what we know about the local universe, then they would be seeing the light that left here 5,000 years ago. They would therefore see the Earth as it was (here in our frame of reference) 5,000 years in our past. There would no signs of life beyond vegetation; and there would be no signs of civilization visible from space.
Based on such an observation, it is not clear to me why they would spend the time and resources that would be required to travel here. Even if they had some unknown technology that we do not possess, it would require centuries to get here, and they would never be able to return to their home in time and space – they would return at least 10,000 years after they left – as measured on the calendars of their home planet.
This is not a question of technical barriers that can be overcome with more knowledge, or bigger engines, or better radar. It is just the way our universe works. This may sound like arrogance on my part – as if I am claiming to understand what they will or will not be able to accomplish by simply applying more power and higher intelligence. I wish it was that simple. Sadly, it is not.
Tips For Eyes…
[...]Is it a question of if or when?[...]…