Are We or Aren't We Alone the Universe?

[San Lumen]

This.

Yay!

I think its far more terrifying finding out we are alone than finding out we are not.

[New haven america]

Considering there are billions of star in The Milkey Way, about twice as many planets, and even more moons (And this is just in one galaxy), there's probably some other life forms out there.

[Renewed Dissonance]

Its beyond arrogant to say [that] in order to have intelligent life you must have conditions exactly like that of Earth and our solar system.

The statement isn't really arrogant so much as it is consistent with our current empirical knowledge. In order to recognize life on other planets, we need a model -- some conditions or characteristics that we can point at and say "that's life."

So far, we have only one model, so that's the one we use. Since it's likely that the nature of physics (and thus chemistry and biology) are similar across at least our galaxy, if not the entire observable universe, use of this model is entirely reasonable.

Some also say if aliens do exist why haven't we had first contact yet or had definitive proof of their existence? Firstly we can only scan a small part of the sky at one time and secondly maybe extraterrestrials don't want to contact us directly?

A suitable explanation is far simpler.

Taking Earth as our model (again, for the reasons explained above) we can reasonably anticipate that intelligent life (spacefaring, able to send and recieve information via electromagnetic transmissions, etc) is quite rare.

If I understand correctly, it's estimated that there have been at least 5 billion species in the full history of life on Earth. Precisely one of those species meets the definition of "intelligent life" above. So the probability of such a species on an Earth like planet is 1 in 5 billion.

There are something like 200 billion stars in the Milky Way galaxy alone. 20 to 40 billion of those are Sun-like. If we're (very) generous and assume that each of those Sun-like stars has an Earth-like planet orbiting it, the probable number of "intelligent life" species in our galaxy is approximately 4 to 8 (1 in 50 billion species X 20-40 billion stars).

So, the reason why we haven't seen any signs of other intelligent life is simply because the problem is akin to looking for 4 to 8 needles among 200 billion stellar haystacks. Since there's no reason (I think) to assume that the other probable 3 to 7 are anymore technologically advanced than us, then, like us, they've only been transmitting and receiving intentional signals for less than 150 years.

Even if we all knew exactly where to look, there hasn't been even remotely enough time to communicate with each other anyway.

EDIT: Some quick googling suggests that we could reasonably expect an Earth-like planet orbiting 1 in 5 Sun-like stars, so the probable number of "intelligent life" species is likely even lower. Of course, it may be entirely possible that some other kind of not-Earth-like intelligent life exists, but we still run into the problem of even being able to identify and recognize it if we happened across it.

[The Greater Ohio Valley]

I heard recently on the show Ancient Aliens that a number of America's founding fathers such as John Adams, Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin openly talked about the idea of life on other planets. I still think its beyond arrogant to say this is the only planet in the entire universe with life.

I think anything said on Ancient Aliens should be taken with a metric ton of salt.

Indeed. The general theme of the show seems to be a series of "Alien of the Gaps" arguments in place of "God of the Gaps" which hurts my brain over how ridiculous it is.

[Maljaratas]

Of course yes, when just based on Earth-like stuff, life is relatively rare. However,
1. I'm pretty sure some of the proto-human life could be classified as intelligent - just not as advanced (more species than 1 in 5 billion)
2. A star does not need to be sun-like in order to have habitable planet, any planet could orbit closer or farther away

[The Hobbesian Metaphysician]

Get ready to keep waiting. I'd give it at least a few hundred thousand years.

That statement was my sarcastic way of saying that I don't believe in aliens.

They certainly don't require your belief.

[Ifreann]

That statement was my sarcastic way of saying that I don't believe in aliens.

They certainly don't require your belief.

Unless they're the Ori.

[Allet Klar Chefs]

Hell, we're alone in ourselves, OP, I don't think the very probable existence of aliens will change that.

[San Lumen]

Hell, we're alone in ourselves, OP, I don't think the very probable existence of aliens will change that.

What does that mean alone in ourselves?

[The Sotoan Union]

I've thought about this question a lot recently. When scientists or people say we are alone in the universe and come up with crazy theories as to why it bugs me.

Its beyond arrogant to say this is the only planet in the entire universe that has life and in order to have intelligent life you must have conditions exactly like that of Earth and our solar system. We will never find a planet or star or solar system exactly like ours. All planets adapt to their stars.

We have found life in some of the most inhospitable places on Earth. What's to say life could not develop on other planets in conditions very different from Earth? I accept that liquid water is likely needed but perhaps it might not be.

Some also say if aliens do exist why haven't we had first contact yet or had definitive proof of their existence? Firstly we can only scan a small part of the sky at one time and secondly maybe extraterrestrials don't want to contact us directly?

I think there is absolutely other intelligent life in the universe and ridiculous to think otherwise. I even think its plausible extraterrestrial beings might have visited us in the distant past but i know i will get flack for saying that.

What do you all think? What is your response to a question that has been asked for decades?

There is no definitive answer, and that's really the only actually correct answer.

[Renewed Dissonance]

1. I'm pretty sure some of the proto-human life could be classified as intelligent - just not as advanced (more species than 1 in 5 billion)

Which, in the case of life on Earth, is perfectly well and true. But, for the purposes of the topic of discussion here, "intelligent life" generally means life capable of sending an intentional signal that we can recognize as intelligent, or returning a signal in response to our greeting. Thus, "intelligent" must have a specific definition.

To the knowledge of our species (or, at least, to the particular member typing this), that specific kind of intelligent life is extremely rare.

2. A star does not need to be sun-like in order to have habitable planet, any planet could orbit closer or farther away

Maybe. Unfortunately, any such stars and planets are entirely hypothetical. The only working model of life we possess so far looks like our Sun and Earth. Thus, these are simply the models we look for in other places, since these are the ones we are most likely to recognize.

This is entirely reasonable and proper. "Arrogance," as claimed by the OP, really has nothing to do with it.

[Grenartia]

Yay!

I think its far more terrifying finding out we are alone than finding out we are not.

I'd go as far as saying that if we find no other forms of intelligent life in the observable universe, then its damn near as close as you can possibly get to proof of the existence of a creator.

[Ifreann]

I think its far more terrifying finding out we are alone than finding out we are not.

I'd go as far as saying that if we find no other forms of intelligent life in the observable universe, then its damn near as close as you can possibly get to proof of the existence of a creator.

Personally I've never given much credence to the notion that unlikely events prove divine interference.

[Seventh Oblivion]

“Two possibilities exist: either we are alone in the Universe or we are not. Both are equally terrifying.” - Arthur C. Clarke

This is my view on the topic, while it may be reasonable to say that it is definitely possible for there to be aliens out there somewhere, it is also equally reasonable to be terrified if it is found that we are indeed completely alone.

[Ifreann]

“Two possibilities exist: either we are alone in the Universe or we are not. Both are equally terrifying.” - Arthur C. Clarke

This is my view on the topic, while it may be reasonable to say that it is definitely possible for there to be aliens out there somewhere, it is also equally reasonable to be terrified if it is found that we are indeed completely alone.

What's terrifying about being alone in the universe?

[Seventh Oblivion]

“Two possibilities exist: either we are alone in the Universe or we are not. Both are equally terrifying.” - Arthur C. Clarke

This is my view on the topic, while it may be reasonable to say that it is definitely possible for there to be aliens out there somewhere, it is also equally reasonable to be terrified if it is found that we are indeed completely alone.

What's terrifying about being alone in the universe?

For me, quite a lot. After all this time spent looking for other forms of life, it is scary to think that we as a planet are the only living things in the entire universe. I don't know, but it is just personal preference.

[San Lumen]

What's terrifying about being alone in the universe?

For me, quite a lot. After all this time spent looking for other forms of life, it is scary to think that we as a planet are the only living things in the entire universe. I don't know, but it is just personal preference.

I agree it would be very scary to find out this is the only planet in the entire universe with life. It would be far more comforting and not scary to find out we are not alone. That's just my opinion though.

[Ifreann]

For me, quite a lot. After all this time spent looking for other forms of life, it is scary to think that we as a planet are the only living things in the entire universe. I don't know, but it is just personal preference.

I agree it would be very scary to find out this is the only planet in the entire universe with life. It would be far more comforting and not scary to find out we are not alone. That's just my opinion though.

So I suppose asking you how it would be scary will similarly yield nothing substantial.

[Grenartia]

I'd go as far as saying that if we find no other forms of intelligent life in the observable universe, then its damn near as close as you can possibly get to proof of the existence of a creator.

Personally I've never given much credence to the notion that unlikely events prove divine interference.

Except the only possible explanation would be supernatural interference. If something is statistically certain to happen, and it does not, there is something unaccounted for. If you point a loaded gun at your head, and upon pulling the trigger, find that the gun has gone off, but you are utterly unharmed, but there's a bullet hole in the wall on the other side of your head, then clearly, something has interfered in the universe.

[GlobalControl]

Well this is a not-so-easy-to-answer kinda question.

BUT, i am certain, that there is Intelligent, and space faring life.

[Xanixi]

Personally I've never given much credence to the notion that unlikely events prove divine interference.

Except the only possible explanation would be supernatural interference. If something is statistically certain to happen, and it does not, there is something unaccounted for. If you point a loaded gun at your head, and upon pulling the trigger, find that the gun has gone off, but you are utterly unharmed, but there's a bullet hole in the wall on the other side of your head, then clearly, something has interfered in the universe.

I respectfully disagree. In no way do I see a necessity for there to be supernatural interference in the common existence -- or lack thereof -- of intelligent life in the Universe. The Universe is so vast and so endlessly complex, so far beyond our comprehension. Not understanding how the Universe works, in all its splendor, is not synonymous to there being supernatural interference. In the same way you present supernatural interference as a factor not taken into account -- presumably because of a lack of knowledge of the factor in question -- there could be a variety of factors that we have not taken into account for the mere reason that humanity is but a speck along the immense timeline of our Universe, and thus, has not had the opportunity to even come close to observing everything there is to observe.

[Ifreann]

Personally I've never given much credence to the notion that unlikely events prove divine interference.

Except the only possible explanation would be supernatural interference. If something is statistically certain to happen, and it does not, there is something unaccounted for.

But there isn't any statistical certainty of life existing on other planets. It's likely, because the universe is quite big. But unlikely things can happen.

If you point a loaded gun at your head, and upon pulling the trigger, find that the gun has gone off, but you are utterly unharmed, but there's a bullet hole in the wall on the other side of your head, then clearly, something has interfered in the universe.

That would be a physical impossibility. It is entirely physically possible for life to not exist.

[Renewed Dissonance]

I agree it would be very scary to find out this is the only planet in the entire universe with life. It would be far more comforting and not scary to find out we are not alone. That's just my opinion though.

So I suppose asking you how it would be scary will similarly yield nothing substantial.

It scary in the same way that standing alone in a field, looking up at the stars, and asking "why does this all exist" and having no one respond would be scary (and wondrous, but still scary).

Such is not a plea for God. It is a plea for a fellow intelligence.

[Alvecia]

Personally I've never given much credence to the notion that unlikely events prove divine interference.

Except the only possible explanation would be supernatural interference. If something is statistically certain to happen, and it does not, there is something unaccounted for. If you point a loaded gun at your head, and upon pulling the trigger, find that the gun has gone off, but you are utterly unharmed, but there's a bullet hole in the wall on the other side of your head, then clearly, something has interfered in the universe.

If something is statisitcally certain, it is literally impossible for anything else but that thing to happen.

[Internationalist Bastard]

I think it's likely there's intelligent life on other planets. Just seems odd Earth would be the only place it'd evolve, escpecially since we found alien bacteria