Fermi Paradox. Are there aliens? Of course. Are they in our current time and local space? Probably not. It's it fun to think about? Yes, that's why science fiction exists.
this post was submitted on 07 Dec 2023
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More importantly, are they a lifeforms that we would even recognize as alive? The chances of an alien being humanoid are even slimmer. Then there's whether they develop intelligence, whether they care about space, and whether they survive long enough to get anywhere.
If intelligent life exists anywhere else the biggest chance we have of finding anything would be a self sustaining vehicle sent off into space by them at some point. The chances of us being alive at the same time in close enough proximity to encounter each other is almost zero.
If a vessel could wander space endlessly we have a slightly bigger (but still almost zero) chance of encountering it.
The Old "will the Screensaver hit the corner" method
Nono I said ALMOST zero
This was one of the only cool parts of the film Oblivion. Basically if an intelligence can cross that distance to us it would likely be a digital intelligence. That and if you want to fuck humanity without touching them, crack the moon.
Counterpoint, why do dolphins and sharks look so alike when they have a completely different phylogenetic tree? They separately developed traits that were very well suited to the medium of water. Convergent evolution means that it isn't entirely unlikely that whatever we may find has similar traits to beings on earth, because we all exist in a universe of solids, liquids, and gasses.
Counter-counterpoint: both species come from the same tree of life, several of their traits taken for granted come from previous species' adaptation, e.g. bilateral symmetry. When you see, say, a molusk with the same bodyplan as a shark, we can talk about it being a common possibility.
What about the whole crabification thing?
While carcinisation does exist as a phenomenon, I believe all examples involve animals of the same order, i.e. it's even less extreme than comparing a shark and a dolphin.
Ah fair enough.
It's a fair point, but I guess we would recognise them, especially if carbon-based.
Think of another issue. We evolved in 6 million years. Assuming it takes 4 billion for the planet to form and organisms to form, that means there's 8 bln years where civ can start. What's the chance that they are at a similar tech level as us? Really small.
Do you stop to talk to an ant on a field trip?
At this point I just get mad when they say anything about aliens, it is always to take attention away from other important things.
Indeed.
I suspect the same with Area 51. They used aliens to cover up even worse stuff. Like torture techniques, biological weapons and other stuff banned by international accords like the Geneva convention.
Area 51 was used for testing prototype stealth vehicles like the B-2 Spirit, get your conspiracy shit outta here.
Area 51 is there so you don't look for area 52.
Honestly the whole thing felt like glimpses of why the DoD can't pass an audit not aliens.
Have you tried saying, "come out come out wherever you are" as you menacingly pace with a hunched back
No but I leave a trail of skittles every time I go out to my tool shed
Well there's your problem, it should be Reese's Pieces.
God damn it. I wasted all those skittles for nothing
Nah iev been pretty happy with em please don't stop
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that's how you catch stoners, not aliens
The truth is that there's crazies everywhere. Even in the military
How do you know that truth in particular is the answer?
I don't. But people are acting like one cunt telling a story with no coroboration is a smoking gun. It's not.
If there were aliens, there's zero chance Trump could resist bragging that he knows all about them.
There are military secrets not even presidents are made aware of until necessary.
Truman didn't even know the Manhattan project was a thing for a while
That should scare you. “Leader of the free world.” Oy vey. 🤥
Isn't it funny how every single time there's a huge military fuck-up there's always some kind of confirmation of aliens that pulls everyone away?
Why would the US government be in charge of whether people know about aliens or not?
Because they know what best for us /s
There was a hearing in the Senate too? I only saw the one in the US House. Does anyone have a link?!
I think it was a senate committee but I’m some random on the internet so what I say must be fact