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phoenix_fire · Oct 17, 2007, 12:24 pm

Simple question. Do you believe in the possibility of the existence of life on other planets?

5010 · Oct 17, 2007, 12:37 pm

It's hard not to expect that life exists elsewhere, given the mind-bogglingly huge collection of observed stars and confirmation that there is nothing special about the existence of planets around our star.

SoylentGreen · Oct 17, 2007, 12:38 pm

Simple answer Yes, I believe in possibility

ZNFYRH · Oct 17, 2007, 02:46 pm

Damn... Soylent said it before I could.

I also believe in possibilities.

Pegs · Oct 17, 2007, 02:58 pm

Given that we know that life can evolve it seems hugely unlikely that Earth would be the only spot in the vastness of the universe in which it did. And from what we can observe of life here, it finds a way to thrive in even what we would consider hostile conditions.

HelioPrime · Oct 17, 2007, 03:39 pm

Of course. Hopefully little green or purple men make contact sometime soon.

I'd support the idea they would have a Star Trey Federation type policy of not contacting planets until they achieve faster than light speeds or some other cultural or tech goal. We have a long way to go.

Cephus · Oct 17, 2007, 03:42 pm

Sure, it's hard to believe that with all the planets out there, we're the only one that developed life. Have they been here in flying saucers doing anal probes on people and mutilating cattle? Hell no.

grandpa · Oct 17, 2007, 03:45 pm

Quote:

Quote by: Pegs

Given that we know that life can evolve it seems
hugely unlikely that Earth would be the only spot in
the vastness of the universe in which it did.
And from what we can observe of life here, it
finds a way to thrive in even what we would
consider hostile conditions.

True. And the common idea is that certain life forms evolve up the
ladder of complexity to survive. Life in the greater universe seems baffling, but we know survival occurs in many forms against many hostile entities. This is because, thankfully, one can generally find pieces of information confirming evolution without trying hard.

It's interesting, though, that this mostly scientific question is in the "philosophy and religion" section. It's not that I've never put threads in strange places, but still.
Maybe this is to weed out any Heaven's Gate-ish UFO cult members.

Grandpa h.

GHook93 · Oct 17, 2007, 03:48 pm

Quote:

Quote by: phoenix_fire

Simple question. Do you believe in the possibility of the existence of life on other planets?

I don't believe its a possibility, I believe it to be a certainity. The universe is too big for there not be life on other planets or moons!

GHook93 · Oct 17, 2007, 03:50 pm

Also believe within the next 50 years there with be humans (Earthlings if you will) living other planets, specifically Mars!

grandpa · Oct 17, 2007, 03:51 pm

Quote:

Quote by: Cephus

Sure, it's hard to believe that with all the planets
out there, we're the only one that developed life.
Have they been here in flying saucers doing anal probes
on people and mutilating cattle?

I once saw a television program about crop circles, and the things aren't even that hard to make. I think people pay too much attention to the pop cultural takes on aliens, and not enough scientific inquiry is considered.

When cattle mutilations are reported, I wonder why some people instantly conclude its aliens.

Grandpa h.

grandpa · Oct 17, 2007, 03:54 pm

Quote:

Quote by: GHook93

Also believe within the next 50 years there with be
humans (Earthlings if you will) living other planets, specifically Mars!

I don't know. People have a hard enough time living on a planet as hospitable as this.
But who knows, maybe in the future we'll see a "War on Terror" on mars.

Grandpa h.

Cephus · Oct 17, 2007, 03:56 pm

Quote:

Quote by: grandpa

When cattle mutilations are reported, I wonder why some people instantly conclude its aliens.

Same reason they see a piss-stain on a wall and instantly see Jesus? Some people are just gullible and stupid.

Ken Carman · Oct 17, 2007, 04:29 pm

Quote:

Quote by: phoenix_fire

Simple question. Do you believe in the possibility of the existence of life on other planets?

Yes. Statistically I don't see how it's possible for there to not to be, but I wouldn't think "green..." though... possible. I'm not one of those who think going beyond the speed of light: hence the distance factor, will always be a barrier to finding out. We only know what we think we know now. The same has been true throughout the history of humanity and many "absolutes" have been modified or even discarded. However, I'm not sure we'll ever find them, or they... us. I don''t believe the Star Trek/Sci Fi scenario is all that likely. They probably are so different, and use a means to communicate we don't recognize that even if they were right next to any of us: right now, we wouldn't know. Hell... maybe they already are and we can't see or recognize them. They traveled a great distance and found what they thought was nothing.

The nature of life may be far more exotic than we think on a universal scale.

Just a guess.

Ken Carman · Oct 17, 2007, 04:34 pm

Quote:

Quote by: grandpa

I don't know. People have a hard enough time living on a planet as hospitable as this.
But who knows, maybe in the future we'll see a "War on Terror" on mars.

Grandpa h.

Maybe, but not the way we've been going. NASA has become a joke, IMO, only because they seem to be "piddlin around" with space travel. We need a bold, new vision, space-wise, but don't expect any JFKs these days. Of all the things JFK did that one can question, space was probably the best.

Ken Carman · Oct 17, 2007, 04:37 pm

Quote:

Quote by: Cephus

Sure, it's hard to believe that with all the planets out there, we're the only one that developed life. Have they been here in flying saucers doing anal probes on people and mutilating cattle? Hell no.

Probably only on South Park!

Thanatos · Oct 17, 2007, 06:59 pm

Quote:

Quote by: phoenix_fire

Simple question. Do you believe in the possibility of the existence of life on other planets?

The odds say there should be a few, but the fact that we hear nothing but the background hiss of the universe when we point instruments upwards pretty much rules out a Star Trek-esque plethora of civilizations. No radio, no optical lasers, no gravity waves, nothing.

1. They're using something so advanced humans don't even know how to look for it.

2. They don't exist.

3. The vast majority of tool-using intelligent species either kill themselves off before they build much of a civilization or kill eachother when they first meet.

4. They're up there, but they don't think like us and aren't very talkative.

Dieval · Oct 17, 2007, 07:17 pm

Quote:

Quote by: phoenix_fire

Simple question. Do you believe in the possibility of the existence of life on other planets?

Yes.

Cephus · Oct 17, 2007, 09:02 pm

Quote:

Quote by: Ken Carman

Probably only on South Park!

In fact, such a popular idea that they based the pilot on it. Go figure. :)

Madeline · Oct 17, 2007, 09:05 pm

Quote:

Quote by: phoenix_fire

Simple question. Do you believe in the possibility of the existence of life on other planets?

yes

Oct 17, 2007, 12:24 pm	#1 (permalink) (top)
phoenix_fire Paladin Location: Narnia Posts: 4,277	Little Green Men Simple question. Do you believe in the possibility of the existence of life on other planets? Place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm; for love is as strong as death, its jealousy unyielding as the grave. It burns like blazing fire, like a mighty flame. -- Song 8:6

Oct 17, 2007, 12:37 pm	#2 (permalink) (top)
5010 mostly harmless Location: USA Posts: 1,284	It's hard not to expect that life exists elsewhere, given the mind-bogglingly huge collection of observed stars and confirmation that there is nothing special about the existence of planets around our star. - solo (my site)

Oct 17, 2007, 02:46 pm	#4 (permalink) (top)
ZNFYRH Volcanic Erupter Posts: 4,375	Damn... Soylent said it before I could. I also believe in possibilities. IT'S A BOY!!

Oct 17, 2007, 03:39 pm	#6 (permalink) (top)
HelioPrime Hucking Fuskies Location: Conn Posts: 2,391	Of course. Hopefully little green or purple men make contact sometime soon. I'd support the idea they would have a Star Trey Federation type policy of not contacting planets until they achieve faster than light speeds or some other cultural or tech goal. We have a long way to go. What do you say to an atheist who sneezes? Yourdeadthatsit! - Dane Cook

Oct 17, 2007, 03:42 pm	#7 (permalink) (top)
Cephus Hot Lava Location: Redlands, CA Posts: 2,258	Sure, it's hard to believe that with all the planets out there, we're the only one that developed life. Have they been here in flying saucers doing anal probes on people and mutilating cattle? Hell no. Jesus loves me? No thanks, I don't swing that way. Blog Me! http://BitchSpot.JadeDragonOnline.com

Oct 17, 2007, 12:38 pm	#3 (permalink) (top)
SoylentGreen Volcanic Erupter Posts: 2,633	Simple answer Yes, I believe in possibility

Oct 17, 2007, 02:58 pm	#5 (permalink) (top)
Pegs Handsome Pirate Posts: 43	Given that we know that life can evolve it seems hugely unlikely that Earth would be the only spot in the vastness of the universe in which it did. And from what we can observe of life here, it finds a way to thrive in even what we would consider hostile conditions.

Oct 17, 2007, 03:50 pm	#10 (permalink) (top)
GHook93 Aristotle Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 4,405	Also believe within the next 50 years there with be humans (Earthlings if you will) living other planets, specifically Mars!