Close encounters of the third kind

[Sephiroth]

Why are all the extra-terrestrials dead? And where are the next lot?

Originally Posted by Hom3r

The Drake Equation give an answer to the possibility to life out there

The problem with this is we have a sample size of precisely one when estimating life in the universe. It's all pretty speculative.

We have no idea of how common or uncommon life actually might be, we can assume it's relatively rare because if the universe was teaming with the life you think we could have more evidence of that now than random unsubstantiated sightings.

I think there is life out there but it's rare and intelligent life is rarer still. Intelligent life then can develop technologies to travel the universe and/or communicate with us extremely rare.

The sheer size of the universe means that odds could still be met but, in my opinion, so rare would these civilisations would exist hundreds of millions or billions of light years away making any contact impossible under our current understanding of the laws of physics. It might be they existed billions of years ago in a galaxy billions of light years away, they might have formed, developed, and died before life even started here.

[idi banashapan]

It’s also difficult for us the imagine technologies based on physics, build with materials or using concepts we don’t understand. We can’t imagine them. but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist or is impossible. People used to worship Gods to to ensure rainfall and rising suns because they didn’t understand celestial complexities. As a species we have so much to learn still. To think we know it all is absurdly naive.

In terms of life, I agree. But again, rare does not mean impossible. Mathematically, these is always a chance we are not alone and that another life form could get to us.

Originally Posted by idi banashapan

It’s also difficult for us the imagine technologies based on physics, build with materials or using concepts we don’t understand. We can’t imagine them. but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist or is impossible. People used to worship Gods to to ensure rainfall and rising suns because they didn’t understand celestial complexities. As a species we have so much to learn still. To think we know it all is absurdly naive.

In terms of life, I agree. But again, rare does not mean impossible. Mathematically, these is always a chance we are not alone and that another life form could get to us.

I agree but there isn't much evidence of those concepts allowing them to reach us.

It could be we're dealing with billions of light years. Maybe one day we'll receive a signal from a long-dead civilisation, or one on their way. Maybe life self-terminates after a certain point, i.e not long after they split the atom (). Maybe it isn't the case that intelligent life ever developed anywhere but here.

I find all of these topics far more interesting that the idea of a Government cover-up. The idea that we might be alone, or that we weren't alone but something happened to other life, or the implications of what it means if we find out we're not alone and receive a signal one day are all so much more interesting. Imagine the consequences of receiving such a message from civilisation millions of lights years away, hopefully, they write something more than 'hello?'.

[idi banashapan]

Originally Posted by Damien

I agree but there isn't much evidence of those concepts allowing them to reach us.

It could be we're dealing with billions of light years. Maybe one day we'll receive a signal from a long-dead civilisation, or one on their way. Maybe life self-terminates after a certain point, i.e not long after they split the atom (). Maybe it isn't the case that intelligent life ever developed anywhere but here.

I find all of these topics far more interesting that the idea of a Government cover-up. The idea that we might be alone, or that we weren't alone but something happened to other life, or the implications of what it means if we find out we're not alone and receive a signal one day are all so much more interesting. Imagine the consequences of receiving such a message from civilisation millions of lights years away, hopefully, they write something more than 'hello?'.

I think this is the point of bringing it to congress. There might actually be evidence, but it’s being kept from the public domain.

[Sephiroth]

What's missing here is any confirmed physics that describes how aliens from thousands of light years away could conveniently get here.

Wormholes are the missing "X" in General Relativity, without which it would be meaningless.. As in "How do I explain the rules abut the speed of light and hw fast matter can travel before it - whats? Ah yes, it must be the wormhole so that distant objects can travel to the Alpha Sector in a short time without breaking the speed of light rules I've just created".

Harry Turtledove came closest in my eyes with his COLONIZATION series. These advanced lizards came from 20 light years away. So they hibernated for 20 years and arrived at Earth.

Originally Posted by idi banashapan

I think this is the point of bringing it to congress. There might actually be evidence, but it’s being kept from the public domain.

It doesn't seem very likely though. Leaving aside the remote possibility that they've reached us it's then further unlikely the US Government could easily cover it up.

[idi banashapan]

Originally Posted by Damien

It doesn't seem very likely though. Leaving aside the remote possibility that they've reached us it's then further unlikely the US Government could easily cover it up.

Agreed, if we only go by our current knowledge and understanding around the laws of physics, propulsion systems, automated drones, long distance comms and length of lifetimes.

We only have our own experience as a gauge. What if our knowledge is just too limited to explain things? This is the exciting part it true. Imagine what we might learn.

[GrimUpNorth]

Originally Posted by Sephiroth

What's missing here is any confirmed physics that describes how aliens from thousands of light years away could conveniently get here.

Wormholes are the missing "X" in General Relativity, without which it would be meaningless.. As in "How do I explain the rules abut the speed of light and hw fast matter can travel before it - whats? Ah yes, it must be the wormhole so that distant objects can travel to the Alpha Sector in a short time without breaking the speed of light rules I've just created".

Harry Turtledove came closest in my eyes with his COLONIZATION series. These advanced lizards came from 20 light years away. So they hibernated for 20 years and arrived at Earth.

They've been talking about wormholes pretty often in season 4 of The Secret Of Skinwalker Ranch

[Pierre]

I have an open mind. However, in this age of total surveillance and that everyone now has an hd camera in their pocket.

Likewise, in regards to ghosts and other supernatural phenomena.

I would just think, if it all existed. We’d have a decent photo, or video by now, and we don’t.

[Sephiroth]

… and we’d be receiving messages in RF if they were within reasonable reach.