SETI - is it wise

[ludwig]

This question is a follow up to andyvon's one below about the possibility of contacting alien life. The question is - should we actually want to?

The example of life on earth (which is the only one we have) shows us that whenever two different species or even same species / different cultures come into contact, the experience usually ends unhappily for at least one of them.

So, if there is intelligent life out there, are we wise to want to contact it?

[Rasman]

Hawkin says no.

http://www.timesonlin...ce/article7107207.ece

[mibn2cweus]

It's better that we learn as much about each other as we can before one of us finds the other on their doorstep. There more we know about how to relate to each other in advance the better chance we have for us getting along together.

[naomi24]

Stephen Hawking thinks not. It's nice to think we would encounter ET - although I wouldn't give much for his chances with us - uncivilised, stupid, warmongering morons that we are - but on the other hand we might encounter something far worse than Alien - ie, something with the technology to easily obliterate us..

[naomi24]

ps .... I actually find the prospect incredibly exciting.

[jomifl]

Any other intelligent species is probably listening very carefully and keeping very very quiet.

[R1Geezer]

well I often wondered what would happen in an "Independence day" type situation, would the Muslims join the infidel in fighting the aliens?

To answer the question, In the extremely unlikely event that aliens made it here they'd be so advanced that they would probably treat us as an infestation allong the lines we treat woodworm. So on balance, no!

[naomi24]

I love that movie. God! Imagine seeing something like those space ships hovering above you! Terrifying - but fascinating!

[Old_Geezer]

One would hope that any species intelligent enough to reach another intelligent species, would have developed morally enough to get beyond our past human squabbling for resource/power. And if they aren't well there is only so long one can hide from a species you aren't even aware exists. One has to look forward hopefully and embrace the future, and not live, metaphorically cowering in our cave.

[Andyvon]

I don't think any contact would last more than a few days. Look at what has happened every time one culture has contacted another on Earth. Every contact results in war or the destruction of one of the cultures. The Romans destroyed the Celts, Europeans destroyed the North and Meso-Americans etc.

I think our biggest concern would have to be the reaction of the Americans. They would soon insist the new arrivals adopt 'Freedom' and 'Democracy'. If they didn't - the US would probably attack!

[Khandro]

To answer your question "if there is intelligent life out there, are we wise to want to contact it?" - a definite no. When you consider that we can't communicate with the rest of the creatures we share this planet with, how could we expect to interact with aliens. Wittgenstein said,I f we could talk to lions, we wouldn't understand a word they said, because they would be thinking as a lion.

[ll_billym]

Leaving all the technical difficulties out as to how we would actually make contact with alien life, warmongering as we are I don't think that we would destroy another planet if we found it contained intelligent life that didn't attack us, if they are intelligent enough to have equipment that can communicate with us then I would think that they wouldn't be so primitive that they would attack us for no reason either. I'm not saying it would be easy but intelligent life in the universe is quite obviously so rare that both sides would try and learn rather than destroy.

[ludwig]

Putting aside how it might endanger US for a second, If we found another planet that had advanced intelligent life on it - mammalian type things that just chewed vegetation and said the alien equivalent of 'mooo' - let's be honest - we'd just eat them wouldn't we?

[mike11111]

I firmly believe that aliens have already visited Earth. However, they had the misfortune to land in the USA, took one look at McDonalds and buggered off sharpish.