The possibility of aliens

[AquaShrimp]

Lets say for a moment that extraterrestial aliens exist.  Its likely that they do, simply due to the massive amount of planets in the universe.  Now lets say that these aliens eventually make contact with Earth.

Its most likely that aliens would be hostile. For two reasons, the need for resources, and self preservation. Earth is very valuable due to our moderate temperature ranges.  Though the aliens would likely have very advanced technology, it would still require a tremendous amount of energy to heat or cool a planet to acceptable temperatures.  The aliens would most likely be heterotrophic, meaning they eat other organisms (like we do).  So for their own preservation, and the cultivation of food, they would need a planet like ours.

On Earth, whenever one organism invades the territory and resources of another, violence usually arrupts.  We see this happening with exotic species.  But we can also look at humans.  We are a sort of 'advanced alien' compared to other animals.  We exploit animals that are usefull to us, and we kill those that are not.

I believe the US Airforce ran an exercise in the 90s that simulated an alien contact.

So what are your opinions on alien contact?

[xrtoronto]

I'm cool with aliens as long as we don't have to submit to anal probes

[Vulcan]

I want to believe...

[Chairboy]

Pure speculation, I'd assume that a race that had the capability of interstellar travel would have the tools and technology to construct essentially unlimited living and food production space.  The advantages of having multi-mile wide food stations that could take advantage of round the clock sunshine clustered around stars blow the uncertainty of weather on a planet out of the water.  The same applies to animal husbandry, etc.

At a certain point in technological development, I imagine a planet becomes a liability for food production and living space.

Fingers are crossed hoping that the folks who get here have hit that point already.  

[BlueJ1]

Even if the aliens are not hostile due to the need for resources or whatever. They will want nothing with us. We have little to offer to a race that has mastered space travel.

I wonder how many of  we'll see in this thread.

[Chairboy]

John Varley's Steel Beach book is interesting.  Humanity exists on Luna and the rest of the planets/moons in the solar system, exclusing the Jupiter system.  The reason?  Aliens, who they refer to as "The Invaders", came in and, without any fuss or muss, exterminated humanity and its works on Earth, almost casually, then went to Jupiter.  Humanity speculates that it has something to do with the whales, and evidence suggests that The Invaders have established a colony inside of Jupiter, but at no point is there any contact.  It is as if humanity is insect-like in significance to them, and that they are so far advanced as to be beyond comprehension to the humans.

There's very little chance that actual alien contact will be like Star Trek, where the major races are at about the same technology.  Look at what humanity did in 65 years, from first airplane to first moon landing.  Now think about how the universe is billions of years old.  If one culture just develops 1% faster than another...  they're at "magic" level while the next guy is still learning that the trick is to bang the rocks together.

[BlueJ1]

Originally posted by Chairboy


There's very little chance that actual alien contact will be like Star Trek, where the major races are at about the same technology.  Look at what humanity did in 65 years, from first airplane to first moon landing.  Now think about how the universe is billions of years old.  If one culture just develops 1% faster than another...  they're at "magic" level while the next guy is still learning that the trick is to bang the rocks together.

And then look the years following the moon landing. *cricket cricket*

[AquaShrimp]

Casual extermination, now theres a thought.

Humans didn't give much thought to exterminating species like the dodo.

[lukster]

We're , uh, I mean they're probably not hostile.

[Gunthr]

I believe Arthur C. Clark's (science fiction author/dreamer) statement that
"Any sufficiently advanced technology will be indistinguishable from magic."                    
 i.e., that if they can get here, they would be so far advanced that we would have no clue to their technology.  We would be like simple bugs to them...  or less.


We may never know....

[Wolf14]

I read an old sci-fi book called "Gentle Giants of Gannimede". I just wish I still had it so I could read it again and post the gest of what the giant aliens percieved of humans evolution. They said something to the fact that it shouldnt have happened.

Anybody else read this book?

[lukster]

Originally posted by Wolf14
I read an old sci-fi book called "Gentle Giants of Gannimede". I just wish I still had it so I could read it again and post the gest of what the giant aliens percieved of humans evolution. They said something to the fact that it shouldnt have happened.

Anybody else read this book?

Was part of a series. I much enjoyed most of Hogan's books.

[lasersailor184]

One of the main needs for interstellar travel is a good source of fuel.  


Rocket fuel is nice and all, but take a look at the amount of rocket fuel it takes to get the shuttle in the air.  You need something more efficient and powerful.

Either we haven't found that source yet, or we don't have it.


If we don't have it, why would they come here for it?

[Slash27]

Originally posted by AquaShrimp
Lets say for a moment that extraterrestial aliens exist.  Its likely that they do, simply due to the massive amount of planets in the universe.  Now lets say that these aliens eventually make contact with Earth.

Its most likely that aliens would be hostile. For two reasons, the need for resources, and self preservation. Earth is very valuable due to our moderate temperature ranges.  Though the aliens would likely have very advanced technology, it would still require a tremendous amount of energy to heat or cool a planet to acceptable temperatures.  The aliens would most likely be heterotrophic, meaning they eat other organisms (like we do).  So for their own preservation, and the cultivation of food, they would need a planet like ours.

On Earth, whenever one organism invades the territory and resources of another, violence usually arrupts.  We see this happening with exotic species.  But we can also look at humans.  We are a sort of 'advanced alien' compared to other animals.  We exploit animals that are usefull to us, and we kill those that are not.

I believe the US Airforce ran an exercise in the 90s that simulated an alien contact.

So what are your opinions on alien contact?

 Just get through watching 'Signs' ?

[Vulcan]

Take me take me!



(anyone else have a fetish for green chicks?)