OT, Aliens

DrAlan_Grant

Senior
Jan 30, 2019
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Depends on if you wanna go the scientific route or the religious route. Mathematically, yes they do. If they do, no I don't think they would visit us, but if they did, we would know.
 

OxfordComma

Senior
Feb 4, 2020
614
673
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If aliens exist elsewhere in the universe, how would they get to us? Let’s say aliens exist and they have the technology to visit us.

Why would they choose to visit us? Can’t read the mind of aliens, but my guess would be that it’s not good news for us. I suppose it’s possible that these are wise beings and they want to observe our ant-like behavior. But that seems foolishly hopeful, so I dismiss that possibility. That leaves us with bad news if aliens visit. We haven’t seen evidence of that bad news, therefore they haven’t visited us.

So, possibilities:
Aliens don’t exist
Aliens can’t get to us
We aren’t worthy of visiting.
 

RBigredMax1

All-Conference
Jul 16, 2025
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Youre Coming With Me Area 51 GIF
 

BleedRed89

Heisman
Nov 27, 2008
34,371
53,381
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Given the sheer number of galaxies, It seems like a statistical impossibility the Universe isnt teaming with life.

But until we find at least one other example of it, our baseline is just us. So we cant draw a definitive conclusion.

Unless a civilization has developed FTL travel, it wont matter anyway. We'll be stuck here in our bubble.
 

Steely Dannebrog

All-Conference
Jul 8, 2025
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Real. Located us due to atomic weapon testing in the 40's. They keep an eye on us and occasionally shut off our nuclear weapons. I believe they would intervene if a nuclear war was imminent.
 
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BleedRed89

Heisman
Nov 27, 2008
34,371
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Real. Located us due to atomic weapon testing in the 40's. They keep an eye on us and occasionally shut off our nuclear weapons. I believe they would intervene if a nuclear war was imminent
I dont see why they would. If they let us freely kill each other as is, they've clearly taken a hands off approach.

A nuclear holocaust wouldnt wipe out all of humanity. Most of it - but a very small number of humans would survive. And in another how many thousands of years, we'd be back to where we are now.

Unless they have interest in protecting the planet itself for their own needs. In which case, what're you waiting for? Come take it.

Who knows. That 30 second war against the alien civilization might just unite humanity one last time before we go out. That wouldnt be so bad...
 
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HuskerInCarolina

All-American
Dec 2, 2024
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Given the sheer number of galaxies, It seems like a statistical impossibility the Universe isnt teaming with life.

But until we find at least one other example of it, our baseline is just us. So we cant draw a definitive conclusion.

Unless a civilization has developed FTL travel, it wont matter anyway. We'll be stuck here in our bubble.
I agree with this. It’s almost ignorant and naive to think (assume) we’re the only sophisticated life form given the number of galaxies and planets. Idk if there’s like Avatar creatures out there or if it’s a bunch of Star Wars or Star Trek kind of creatures (beings) but I think we humans often limit the capabilities of extraterrestrial life due to our own limitations such as not being able to breathe underwater or in space or to withstand high temperatures, etc.

But if for some reason we are the only sophisticated life, man what a lonely existence for humans on that galactic scale.
 

Steely Dannebrog

All-Conference
Jul 8, 2025
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Why would they intervene?

My best guess: either the effects of a large scale nuclear war might have effects on the cosmos beyond what we are aware of, or maybe they are good samaritans looking out for a fledgling lifeform?

Of course I dont know ****, so there's that to consider as well
 
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