Why do we assume that aliens would have technology?

[Australian rePublic]

We like to discuss finding advanced extraterctiral civilisations with advanced technology, but why do assume that aliens would need technology. "Advanced" is usually defnined by having an understanding of mathematics, but that doesn't necasserily mean you need technology. Firstly, let's look at some of the reaons why humans have technology:

-Food- Food is a major reason why we have tehcnology. Firstly, we needed weapons in order to hunt food, then we needed technology to be able to keep animals from running away. Therefore, if aliens were to build technology because of food, they would need to eat of have some equivilant of eating

-We're weak-Humans simply need technology to compensate for the fact that we're a weak species. Polar bears are strong enough to survive the cold, but humans aren't, which is why we need technology. Other animals caan tolerate the rain, but humans can't, which is why we build shleter. Even if there were alien life out there, what are the odds that the dominate species of a different planet would be weak enough to need technology, even assuming that mortality exists

-Sleep- sleep is something unique to animals and humans. We need to protect ourselves in our sleep

-Climate-humans have adjusted to a warm climate, and people can, and do, even in this day and age, survive in tropical climates with little technology, so if a planet with an advanced species has a single climate, they may find no need for technology

-Lazy-Much of human technology exists because of laziness. We build technology to make our lives easier. What makes us assume that aliens would do the same

-War and peace- War with other animals and other humans is a major advancor of technology. A lot of technology exists because of war, and a bit of technology exists as a peace keeping effort. We build weapons to defeat stronger weapons. Also, things like the internet exist to try to prevent future race wars. What makes us assume that aliens would have a concept of war?

-Expoloration and adventure-A major reason for technology is because humans have a sense of adventure and exploration, we have inhabbited nearly the entire planet because of our sense of exploration and adventure, and modern humans need technology to travel across the planet. For example, yesturday I travelled from Sydney to Dallas, just to explore North America. Expoloration is turely a human trait, and technology exists to assist in it, furthermore, we need technology in order to explore different planets and different galaxies. Why do we automatically assume that aliens would have that same desire?

Anyway, NSG, what do you think?

[Ashmoria]

I think we assume that space aliens that we might ever come in contact with would have technology. how else would we find them or them us?

we could find some "aliens" on mars in the form of primitive single cell organisms of some sort. that wouldn't have or need technology but that isn't what we are talking about, eh?

[Australian rePublic]

I think we assume that space aliens that we might ever come in contact with would have technology. how else would we find them or them us?

we could find some "aliens" on mars in the form of primitive single cell organisms of some sort. that wouldn't have or need technology but that isn't what we are talking about, eh?

Hmmm, yea, okay, but what if, for example, we would find birds on Mars? Exactly like Earth birds? Complex organisms, but no technology (unless you count bird nests)

[Risottia]

We like to discuss finding advanced extraterctiral extraterrestrial civilisations with advanced technology, but why do assume that aliens would need technology.

The very concept of civilisation implies technology - not to mention space travel. Any "alien civilisation" who were to send some of their individuals here would be a technological one.

"Advanced" is usually^{citation needed} defnined ^{[color=blue]by whom?}by having an understanding of mathematics,

[The Derpy Democratic Republic Of Herp]

Because they have

[Risottia]

Hmmm, yea, okay, but what if, for example, we would find birds on Mars? Exactly like Earth birds? Complex organisms, but no technology (unless you count bird nests)

That wouldn't be a civilisation.

We can take fairly for granted that humans are the only civilisation in the whole Solar System. Non-technological life cannot be ruled out (Europa would be a likely prime candidate for life), but technology... meeeeehhh.

[Cou Sasio Forte]

Considering that we can barely reach our own moon, any aliens we meet we have to be more advanced technologically than we.

[Cetacea]

yeah one of the great conceits is assuming that humanoid life is important and must exist 'out there'. Its far more probable that just like Earth the dominant life 'out there' is made up of bacteria and archaea and Eukaryotes are relatively rare, complex forms being even rarer.

now if alien civilization does exist I contend that it is likely to be humanoid in form as I believe that binocular vision and fine manipulators (hands) are essential for advanced tool use. Getting from flint knapping to space flight however is a very very complex process.

our ancestors were a species of woodlands dwelling tropical scavengers who used sticks and sharp stones to defend themselves from predators and then as tools, they were social and able to communicate and learn and who eventually achieved manipulation of fire.

[Dooom35796821595]

Considering that we can barely reach our own moon, any aliens we meet we have to be more advanced technologically than we.

We are quite capable of going to the moon, we did it in the 60s. There is just little incentive to return.

[Ashmoria]

I think we assume that space aliens that we might ever come in contact with would have technology. how else would we find them or them us?

we could find some "aliens" on mars in the form of primitive single cell organisms of some sort. that wouldn't have or need technology but that isn't what we are talking about, eh?

Hmmm, yea, okay, but what if, for example, we would find birds on Mars? Exactly like Earth birds? Complex organisms, but no technology (unless you count bird nests)

those are still not the kind of aliens we are assuming.

we are assuming they would come here or near here. so they would have technology of some kind and the difference between our and their would engage us in a lively trade of ideas.

to understand better look up the novella "the big front yard" by Clifford d simak pulished in 1958.

[Czechostan]

"Advanced" is usually defnined by having an understanding of mathematics, but that doesn't necasserily mean you need technology. Firstly, let's look at some of the reaons why humans have technology:

"Advanced" is usually^{citation needed} defnined ^{by whom?}by having an understanding of mathematics,

^
Also, I don't know what you mean by understanding of mathematics. There are various degrees to which one may understand mathematics.

Firstly, let's look at some of the reaons why humans have technology:
-Food- (...) -We're weak- (...) -Sleep- (...)-Climate- (...)-Lazy-(...)-War and peace-(...) -Expoloration and adventure-?

The common theme of your points seems to be survival. Humans use technology in order to better ensure survival.

-Lazy-Much of human technology exists because of laziness. We build technology to make our lives easier. What makes us assume that aliens would do the same

Well, I don't see why they wouldn't want to make their lives easier if they have the possibility. They'd surely be evolutionarily programmed to pass their genes onto another generation, and usage of technology would increase the odds of survival and thus increase the odds of reproducing.

-War and peace- War with other animals and other humans is a major advancor of technology. A lot of technology exists because of war, and a bit of technology exists as a peace keeping effort. We build weapons to defeat stronger weapons. Also, things like the internet exist to try to prevent future race wars. What makes us assume that aliens would have a concept of war?

Wars are often fought over competition for resources. As long as resources are scarce, I don't see why aliens wouldn't fight for them if necessary, whether these resources would be food, land, or mates. We've seen wars, for lack of a better term, break out among animals too.

Expoloration is turely a human trait, and technology exists to assist in it, furthermore, we need technology in order to explore different planets and different galaxies. Why do we automatically assume that aliens would have that same desire?

Um, are you trying to say "truly," "purely," or "surely"? Regardless, animals are curious and adventurous as well, some maybe more than others; they just haven't explored the world to the extent that humanity has. The question is whether their curiosity coincides with the capability of constructing technology.

[Neanderthaland]

Do We?

[Rusozak]

What, like organic spaceships and such? Otherwise intelligent aliens without technology would just be smart animals.

[Genivaria]

Hmmm, yea, okay, but what if, for example, we would find birds on Mars? Exactly like Earth birds? Complex organisms, but no technology (unless you count bird nests)

That wouldn't be a civilisation.

We can take fairly for granted that humans are the only civilisation in the whole Solar System. Non-technological life cannot be ruled out (Europa would be a likely prime candidate for life), but technology... meeeeehhh.

Attempt no landings there.

[Aclion]

Generally aliens means being capable of visiting us. it's why we use a term that used to mean a foreigner.

Things like animals on other planets we refer to as extraterrestrial life.

[Khalisako]

Unless some space jellyfish with the ability to read cursive ever hollas at a cosmonaut i highly doubt any alien would find us without technowaluigi.

Or maybe the aliens will have technology and fly to us in their sombrero spaceships to steal human jobs.