The Discovery of Intelligent Alien Life! Now What?

[minorwork]

I have no "missing links" to my existence." My wife keeps me fully informed. She says I am an "alien life-form;" but without the "intelligence." lol Hey; what's intelligence?

Best question so far this year.

Went to a lecture on how science disproves evolution by a young earth creationist who ended up advocating for Intelligent Design. Round and round he went in front of 75 or so people and finally when questioned began getting into religion. The Intelligent Designer was the God of the Bible and yes, he did admit finally that the world could be no older than 12,000 years old. Finally I got to ask him how he could tell intelligence from non-intelligent and asked just what the hell is intelligence anyway? He thought with all eyes on him and finally said, "No ones asked that before."

We Volcons have a thread somewhere about identifying intelligence. Seemed a person is intelligence by meeting a tuff standard. He/she must agree with me.

[Castaway]

Best question so far this year.

The question would certainly apply to "intelligent" alien life.

What exactly would that be? If you were to paint a picture of that; what would the picture look like, or have in it?

[minorwork]

The question would certainly apply to "intelligent" alien life.

What exactly would that be? If you were to paint a picture of that; what would the picture look like, or have in it?

I've read some science fiction accounts, quite a few since my reading Begin in the later '50s, that have broached the problem. From a Jovian moon native that used a small furball as a telepath aid to develop his skills as a doctor to the near galaxy. To intelligent grasshoppers arriving, landing is NOT the right term, in 14th century Europe. Eiffelheim. Great story involving modern day research into the history of the place and why that history was omitted.

The young space doctor almost annihilated the species he was called to save because they were telepathic microbes freshly arrived on a new planet and inhabiting what at first seemed a telepathic humanoid but was the host organism and dumb as a post.

Both required communication to rank as intelligent. Even then, the source of the communication was in question.

In the book Blindsight, I had no idea what the fuck was going on. Some intelligence will be of such an alien species specific kind that another species will not recognize the characteristics AS intelligent. I think that was what was going on in Blindsight. I don't recommend it, so it might even be the most challenging to any definition of intelligence. Is an immune system intelligent?

Is self consciousness necessary to intelligence? Sorry, I've more questions than answers.

Humans rank intelligence by what I call cognitive prowess. The quicker learned is a person, the more intelligent. On the other hand when one celled slime molds are able to emulate the highway system between cities as men have I begin to wonder whether intelligence is but an expression of self righteousness to protect the ego. What intelligence is not might be the easier approach. What passes for a deity that would construct the earth to look old but not be, not intelligent. I'm game. What have you got?

Are dream people intelligent?

[Castaway]

Is self consciousness necessary to intelligence? Sorry, I've more questions than answers.

I'm game. What have you got?

Are dream people intelligent?

I think that often, questions are the perfect answer...they are ONE of the marks of intelligence.

[grandpa]

I think that often, questions are the perfect answer...
they are ONE of the marks of intelligence.

Assuming humans are really the most intelligent species on earth. That's a pretty valid debate, actually.

Grandpa h.

[minorwork]

Assuming humans are really the most intelligent species on earth. That's a pretty valid debate, actually.

Any other nominees? Criteria? Must wear thongs or show skin to win?

[BlackSheep]

I think a better question is why is it significant that it is intelligent?

[minorwork]

I think a better question is why is it significant that it is intelligent?

Two "its." Same antecedent?

[Thanatos]

"Intelligence" is nice because it implies you can negotiate with them, and ultimately include them in the social contract.

If their ability to creatively solve problems is too low to understand the concept of a peace treaty then we need to assess whether or not they're dangerous. If yes, then it's time to see what happens when we nuke them.

[BlackSheep]

Two "its." Same antecedent?

Just for you I will remove the pronouns.

I think a better question is why does it matter that the life we are discussing is intelligent?

[BlackSheep]

"Intelligence" is nice because it implies you can negotiate with them, and ultimately include them in the social contract.

I like intelligence and I think it would be an amazing thing to discover intelligent life, but the real question is why are we only really concerned with out interference with them if they are intelligent.

If their ability to creatively solve problems is too low to understand the concept of a peace treaty then we need to assess whether or not they're dangerous. If yes, then it's time to see what happens when we nuke them.

And if they are not ... who cares?

[grandpa]

Any other nominees?

I would have something to say about that, but you've got me thinking about "skin" and "thongs" now. Way to go!

Grandpa h.