I'm Futurist Dr. Stan Schatt --Ask Me Anything!

a reply to: StanSchatt

Thank you for giving a prospective on the question. It does make the idea seem irresponsible for an alien intelligence to do that, but on the other hand it also makes for a very dark possibility if that race ever comes back to check in on us.

a reply to: AutumnWitch657
Sounds like a great SF novel idea, but unfortunately you've put your finger on a real ethical issue. We are just about able to do what you say. If we breed out certain genes, we don't really understand what else we will lose as a race. It would be much more economical for an insurance company to insist that an embryo with certain genetic problems have those problems solved via a DNA fix.

What we do know now is that we have all kinds of "junk" DNA that we don't understand as to what it actually does. We also don't understand all the interactions of genes. So, us monkeying with DNA could be like a child who randomly changes lines in a huge program. The child wouldn't understand the long-term ramifications.

So, I hope we go very slowly in this area.

a reply to: Philippines
Water is the future oil when it comes to the most valuable commodity. Especially with climate change, the "haves" and "have-nots" will have a lot to do with how much fresh water they have. Look at the middle east --would so many people really care about that area of the world if there weren't oil there? If I were Norway, I'd start to worry about protecting myself.

We should see migrations based on where the water is.

a reply to: Guyfriday
There are people who believe that a planet comes this way every 36,000 years and is where the race that "seeded" us resides.

Welcome!

Question for you good sir!

How do you think we as humans can maximize our potential in light of emerging machine consciousness? In other words, how to we maintain relevance in an age of intelligent machines?

I for one have noticed that we as a species are becoming more machine like, whereas our machines seem to be taking on more human-like qualities. Do you believe someday in the distant future that machines may have to teach us about how to be "human"?

Thank you for your time!

Hello Mr. Schatt.

On your website you state:

There have been persistent rumors as well as statements by some former astronauts that the Moon already is occupied by extraterrestrials who have made it clear we’re not welcome there. If this sounds silly to you, then you need to read some of the astronauts’ own words.

Could you please elaborate? Which astronauts said this and what are the sources of these quotes?

a reply to: fakedirt
So, you're assuming that a benevolent alien race comes and loves humanity but doesn't love our power-hungry governments. You also mention telepathy.

First of all, I think human nature being what it is, our government would see aliens as a threat, particularly if they showed disdain for the trappings of authority and power. Imagine, if you will, what might happen if aliens announced themselves. Mass media and individuals would all try to contact the aliens for their own selfish purposes. That wouldn't make humanity look that good, would it? It would be great if the aliens loved us but just didn't like our leaders. I'm not sure that's realistic since people are likely to not show their best side to the aliens.

As far as telepathy. It's a handy device in novels, but I'm inclined to think that a race that developed on another world with a different evolutionary pattern would have brains that function quite differently than ours. Even here on Earth, if we could look into the mind of a dog or a dolphin, could we make sense of what we saw or heard?

a reply to: MystikMushroom
The two seem to be moving closer together, no question about it. In some ways humans want the immortality associated with machines while we would like to think that someday machines would aspire to what is human. I'm not sure of the latter. I do think that we will try to imprint on machines what we believe are basic human values. Imagine a situation several hundred years from now when there's a trial because an intelligent refrigerator destroyed an intelligent toaster. Is it murder if one device destroys another device that has machine intelligence?

a reply to: draknoir2
I write about it in my new book, but here's a quote from an article that offers several quotes:
www.syti.net...

a reply to: draknoir2
www.syti.net...

Welcome Stan.
I have not seen a ufo yet but countless others have. So don't you think that even if one sighting is genuine and is not of this earth, then we are not alone?
a reply to: StanSchatt

a reply to: StanSchatt

first, thank you for giving us your time.

second, what are your thoughts on how deeply our love for technology will take us? do you foresee a digital integration a la the matrix, or a more physical expression in the way of bionic augmentation? or will it maintain a happy medium?

again, thank you for your time.

edit: i know its not really ufo related, but can i still ask?

a reply to: Nochzwei
I don't believe we are alone in the universe, but I'd like to see proof that is so obvious that no one could argue with it. I have no idea what that UFO over Peru was, and it seems real enough, but I'm not 100% sure.

In the field of ufology, which 2-3 people do you most respect or admire? If time allows, could you quickly explain why? Thanks.

a reply to: TzarChasm
That love for technology is real. My grandson told me recently that he wanted to work with technology when he grew up. He said that the way previous generations would say they wanted to be a doctor or lawyer or baseball player. You know there is one theory that the reason we can't see any aliens is that we're already in a simulation in which aliens are not included.? That's a real theory by some mathematicians.

I do think the line between us and machines is becoming more difficult to distinguish. Quadriplegics who use mental commands to devices on their arms and legs that allow them to walk and use their hands --that's smudging the boundaries between man and machine. I think humanity's question for immortality or at least longevity will make us more and more machine-like.

a reply to: StanSchatt

do you feel that becoming more machine like might lead to a hivemind society?

Welcome to the site and thanks for spending your time answering people's questions.

I plan on offering the aliens coffee and cookies if they stop by. I want the first contact to be memorable, so will have only homemade cookies. If they give me some advanced warning, I will make homemade blueberry pie.

I'll have to check out what others are asking, my only question for you is whether you have seen any spaceships that could really be ET.

a reply to: TzarChasm
Yes, that's possible. Imagine if all the AI on this planet ever interconnected and developed a consciousness. Here's another wild idea. What if we ever developed spiritually enough to establish contact with Gaeia-- al the living things on this planet. Then we would have a hive mind of sorts. We're starting to see SF writers write more and more about aliens with hive minds. They make terrifying foes because of the power behind that kind of mental ability.

Welcome, and thank you for a fascinating AMA. My question is about manipulating plant and animal DNA. Do you think that we'll create Dangerous Things or ruin the planet by engineering organisms in a way that might sound good, but might ultimately be quite harmful? GMO foods spring to mind as an example. What happens when we attempt the same type of "improvements" with animals?

a reply to: rickymouse
No, I never have seen a UFO, but I'd love it if I did. As far as your "offering" to aliens, imagine what would happen if tens of thousands or even millions of people tried to engineer their own first contact with aliens. I wonder what they would think of us as a race. Imagine media types rushing up with microphones and demanding answers to their questions--kind of like a Presidential press conference but with far less control.