Aliens or no aliens; what scares you more?

Originally posted by ShadeWolf
No aliens. The very concept scares me. It means that once we screw up the planet and annhiliate ourselves, the universe as we know it is dead. No life whasoever. That's like saying that once I crush a bug, the whole insect world dissapears. Scary.

That isn't entirely correct.

Even if we were the only intelligent beings on the universe, doesn't mean life wouldn't EVOLVE somewhere else after we were gone.

We are certain that there's bacteria and other life forms out there in the cosmos. It would be just a matter of time, taking into consideration our own example.

Of course this 'matter of time' could and possibly means millions or billions of years.

Originally posted by ShadeWolf
No aliens. The very concept scares me. It means that once we screw up the planet and annhiliate ourselves, the universe as we know it is dead. No life whasoever. That's like saying that once I crush a bug, the whole insect world dissapears. Scary.

I don't think that was the question. The Universe is probably full of 'life', and may even be full of sentient beings. But as far as we know, from what we can deduce, it seems extremely uncommon that any of them have been able to get off planet.

In addition, they don't appear to have been able to develop beyond Type I civilizations, so are unable to spare the wattage needed to send out a beacon that those listening passively might pick up, let alone send 'ships' here.

So, just because we are never able to detect any other civilizations, we will probably stumble across 'life' in our own Solar System (say on a moon of Jupiter).

As I've mentioned in another post, I think that very fact makes the Universe a significantly more dangerous place, due to the ease that explorers might inadvertently bring back microscopic life to Earth, resulting in a deadly epidemic. I'd put that as the number 1 cause of civilizations who are space faring as not lasting long enough to colonize.

No aliens. And for the reasons Shadewolf said. I know, the idea itself is not exactly right but it is just the thought for me which is scary. Just one massive void filled with planets and yet not a single sentient lifeform or animal. Like one giant desert with no life at all.

I'm not going to debate about what if theres evolution somewhere.

[edit on 5-8-2007 by CidCaldensfey]

FSFGDS

I keep double posting.

[edit on 5-8-2007 by CidCaldensfey]

I would just like to say that i do believe in aliens, the possibility that they don't exist is just to improbable, and i am so happy that this is on the home page as it is only my second thread. also thank for quoting my first thread

explanation for ghosts, monsters and aliens?

it is unlikley that if aliens exist that they would be hostile, they wouldn't want to wreck our planet for it's resources because we have almost depleted them and if they where smart enough to get here they would be smart enough to teraform planets

I also believe that aliens exist, and I think that it is highly probable that they have visited Earth. That said I'm glad that other life exists elsewhere in the universe, but still- nothing scares me more than those big head, black-eyed creatures! I think I would have a heart attack if I saw one with my own eyes.

Originally posted by andyzero1234
That said I'm glad that other life exists elsewhere in the universe, but still- nothing scares me more than those big head, black-eyed creatures! I think I would have a heart attack if I saw one with my own eyes.

But you would have that reaction because such creature is unknown to you. I bet man also had the same reaction the first time it encountered some animals that he had never seen before.

first of all, this is assuming "reality" and the tangible universe is NOT a projection of the collective unconscious, nor a projection of our own individual conciousness.

moving on, i believe it is highly improbable that earth is the only life bearing planet in the Universe. however, i also highly doubt an extraterrstrial species belonging to our own plane/universe/dimension of existence would travel the vast distances only to perform secretive abductions and experiments.

"aliens" and "ufos" in my opinion, are either time traveling humans, or beings from a plane/universe/dimension of existence different than our own, where distance would be a non-issue.

so, while it is highly probable life (whether it is intelligent or not, i cant say) exists elewhere in the Universe, i doubt they know of our existance, or assuming they do, care about us enough to travel here.

[edit on 8/5/2007 by prototism]

I just wonder why you ask such a question in the first place. What do you really think? How was your up bringing when it came to UFo phenomenon?
I am curious because you stated that most are probably dangerous to us here on earth. If they are more advanced and can travel to our planet don't you think that they could have destroyed us or worse long before now? Now as to your question, do me a favor and look at the universe and even our own neighbor the milky way. The possibilities are astounding. If we were the only inhabitants in this vast arena it would be hell.

As far as I can see, most of you have not answered the initial question at all. The question was not whether you believed in alien life(whether simple bacteria or advanced, intelligent life forms), because none of you can prove or disprove neither exists. The question was basically, what scares you the most...the possibility of earth having the only life in the universe, or the possibility of us being attacked by far superior life forms?

For me...option A is more scary.

Now, going into other discussion, that most of you have gone into, that does not deal with the initial topic at all, I must say, I believe in alien life. From the simple bacteria, to advanced beings capable of bending space/time or distant travel using faster than light speeds. Why do I believe in alien life...aside from my own experiences & the eperiences of others? Becuase of numbers...many, many numbers.

That being said, some of you see it as impossible for hostile aliens to attck Earth. Why? Because of numbers it's very possible. I highly doubt it's one type of alien life form Earth has encountered since it's beginning. Maybe, just maybe, the hostile aliens haven't attacked yet. Maybe, they'll get hostile after we befriend them, and some stupid, high ranking human disrespects them in some form or fashion. Oh, it's possible...very possible.

Originally posted by Badge01
So, I agree with Stephen Hawking. On the subject of communicating with aliens I think it's best to keep your head down.

Hmmm, I would disagree, but that's just my opinion. If there was a sentient, communicating alien species nearby, then I would want to say hello.

Sure, they might wipe us out with an epidemic (which would spare the need to send an armada of battlecruisers), but unless we manage to step away from Earth and colonise other planets, we're doomed anyway.

Back to the original question for me

Whats worse aliens existing - finding confirmation of sentient life and a larger neighbourhood - and the possibility of hostility


Or

Confirmation there is none - its just us - alone - in a vast expanse no matter hwo far we travel or reach we will always be alone


For me

The third choice is the greatest of fears

Alien life is the greatest hoax of control and domination ever conceived and their arrival will be to trigger the dawning of a new world - as after so many years so many want and need it to be true - it would become a religious new age revolution of sorts with people utterly blinded by the dance of lights and awe of technological wonder

The first option is more scary to me that we are tottaly alone , not the common concensus but scary never the less.

as with regards to alien hostility , lets say for instance the theory of evolution and yes folks it is just a theory, is true . then its survival of the fittest .. this would spill over in a galactic sense once a civilization become common space travelers .. so be afraid be very afraid. and if we ever get consistently off this rock .. i feel sorry for them if there all benign coz the monsters are comming.

Originally posted by tezzajw

Originally posted by Badge01
So, I agree with Stephen Hawking. On the subject of communicating with aliens I think it's best to keep your head down.

Hmmm, I would disagree, but that's just my opinion. If there was a sentient, communicating alien species nearby, then I would want to say hello.

Think of it this way, perhaps as if you're trying to play a video game.

You get some advanced radar and detect the glimmer of a sentient species off a few light years away.

You are a planet bound civilization, able to get into low earth orbit and have some primitive fission weapons. You lay low until you can gain money to build ships and get control of your spaceways, maybe develop some defensive weapons.

THEN, you try to contact the other civilization. That way you're bargaining, even if for Peace, from a stronger position.

So, for now, I think it's best not to advertize that we're here. The risks far outweigh the benefits.

Sounds like you are here just wanting validation of the 1950-60's UFO scare mentality. You are seemingly not open to any other options. I always wonder just how many people would think the way you do if what you put out is what you get back when they do decide to reveal themselves...With your views I would suggest you go about your merry business and leave them alone.

I heard somewhere that micro-organism are true life, that multi-cellular organisms are a random by product of them, and are therefore rare, and that intelligent life is not a nessisary step in evolution, look at cochroaches, they will likly outlast the human race. That and if we are any good of a sample of intelligent life, then in the very rare chance it appears someone where else, the chance of it doing so while we are around. We have only been around for a blink of an eye in galactic time, so the liklyness of how rare intelligant life being around at the same time as us is so highly unlikly, its not funny. I mean look at us, I have my doubts the huamn race will last another thousand years.

The fact that aliens are out there for some reason does not scare me. As a human species just as we have our criminals, so wouldn't the alien species. Assume for a moment that there are many aliens who want human destruction but it's only the peaceful aliens who are in power which deny it.

Maybe you could say that we're already living option # 2 us humans standing so alone in the vast universe. Never having a chance to reach out to the stars. Dying like that would be the most scary to me.

I would love to see us evolve if for no other reason than to experience what it will be like when "All" the centers in the brain are functioning at the maximum.
As long as we are only using a fraction, it's hard to comprehend or understand what our fullest potential can be.
In my heart ,I hope that there are other civilizations that coexist here within our universe that have reached that point. It has to be profound and enlightening.
And knowing what I do on a personal level with the goodness in our hearts I believe it would be impossible for any race to evolve if all there were not light to guide them. Remember that darkness is just a pregnant void awaiting the birth of light.

Yes I am sure that life is out there. The idea we are alone is not possible. Now do I think they are flying around Earth sticking probes in peoples butts and noses...Ummmm no. I believe that we could be the most advanced of all life forms and the first to reach the others...Which will make us the aliens.....Wonder if we will be probing them..hehe....I think we have had communtication or rather the government has.