Extraterrestrial Meetings?
Out of context: Reply #11
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- detritus0
All the statistical abstractions of whatifs and maybes mean nothing if interstellar flight isn't actually practical.
All our hopes are predicated on the assumption that it is somehow possible to achieve a significant percentage of the speed of light in our travels. Beyond that, we assume this can be achieved for significant numbers of the population. And, additionally, that there is the prospect of return.
If so, then game on.
If not - it doesn't matter how many billionfold intelligences there might be - they'll all, for the very large part, be totally and utterly alone for the entiriety of their planetary systems' existence.
It's a totally unknowable unkowable at this stage - either yes, or no. We won't—can't—know for a long time yet.
I, for one, believe in the Prime Directive mode of thought - if "They" are here - we would never, never be able to tell within the confines of our tecnhology. The minute we might be able to , "They'd" retract to where we can't.
Either way. it's pointless thinking about it.
We'd best just adopt the JudeoChristian Doctrine - assume someone's always watching—so look busy and don't dick around with the shellfish.
- I'm thinking in terms of physical UFOs here, not intergalactic spriit consciousnesses, you understand?detritus
- It's an important distinction.detritus
- Yeah its a good point - the existence of aliens, while its far from proven, doesn't contradict the laws of physics. But travelling at the speed of light (which is what it would take for all these ships to get to Earth) definitely doesukit
- travelling at the speed of light (which is what it would take for all these ships to get to Earth) definitely doesukit