Discussion of Extraterrestrial Life/Interstellar Travel

One of my hobbies I do in my spare time is study space. I want to hear the community's opinions on matters of space. Do you think there is other life out there in the universe? If so, would you believe this life to be intelligent? The Fermi Paradox states that the chances of there being intelligent life somewhere in space is significantly large, however, if this is true, why haven't we heard from them? Is this because intelligent life eventually self destructs before reaching a point of intelligence that allows them to travel in terms of interstellar means? Hopefully, we can make interstellar travel possible one day to answer so many questions.

 

bumperoni

 

Well it also has a lot to do with vastness.. The fermi paradox is true because of the unknown possible infinite size. However, when the speed of travel is limited to the speed of light, you soon find that you cannot achieve a great distance in comparison to the size within the timescale of a life-time.

However, I believe it just hasn't happened yet. It's pretty naive to think there is no other intelligent life out there.

 

If we get a hold of anti-matter, we can possible travel faster than the speed of light by contracting and expanding space time. I believe it's called "Alcubierre Drive". Also, anti matter can theoretically make and stabilize worm holes which we can use to achieve travel in great distances.

 

Well the theory of which would suggest so. However, it's not something we know is possible yet? Isn't it just a theory?

If that was possible in the future then yes we could achieve far greater distances in shorter periods of time. But going off our current understanding for what's achievable this is all we have to go with.

I remember seeing a picture of how far our first strongest radio waves had travelled in comparison to our galaxy. And it was the equivalent of a pixel in size/radius.. Since 1938.

 

Yes, it's true that it's just a theory, however, astronomers are very certain that dark matter does exist (they can't account for the majority of matter of the universe). If we can somehow synthesize or harvest this dark matter, so many things can be done, and I'm hopeful that we can use this for interstellar travel.

 

There is definitely life on other planets. But even if we met them face to face we would have no clue how to interact/speak with them

 

You can achieve a warp bubble with nuclear fusion too, not to mention that wormholes are also a theoretical option (in this case we would need antimatter and a buttload of energy). As for aliens, it's a bit tricky, since it's possible we could be the first ones or one of many on our way to sci-fi level advancement. Some other intelligent species may also be stuck in their own medieval ages; so if we were to cast out radio signals to different planets, they could land on inhabited worlds but that the signals would land on deaf ears.

 

Very true about the aliens. However, one could say that a civilization never gets advanced enough for interstellar travel because it self destructs before it gets that intelligent.

 

Well, I think we're likely a prime example of that theory, we won't destroy the planet.. The planet will be fine. However, we will not be able to survive on it.

I remember watching a documentary on the possibility of a lightsaber. Which ended up being a very high energy form of plasma capable of enough heat to cut through anything instantly. The only way to power it was with the currently developing nano-batteries that were capable of housing the required energy for it. Not sure on the relevance. However, it's that level of storage of energy that we will require as well as fission to recharge them. I can only assume, I'm no scientist. Interesting thought processes currently ongoing though. I too myself like to think of interstellar travel and the film interstellar was a well made film that fits in with most of these theories.

 

But the question is, even if we encountered aliens. Would it even be possible to communicate with them?

 

It would probably be possible with a space rover with the specific task of studying them from a distance. Watching their actions via satellite to determine if they are hostile or not. After that, contact could be done with the same rover.

 

Yeah but they would be so much different than us. Who knows maybe they dont even communicate vocally, their form of communication could be so much different than ours, the possiblities are endless

 

I think it's safe to assume that any advanced civilization would have to be formed by a species with at least visual capabilities of some form. You can actually listen to/read the stuff they sent on voyager here. I'm very interested in studying the mechanics of language and some of the stuff they sent are great examples of describing fundamental concepts to entities that obviously won't speak our language.

 

The answer is: they don't want contact. Can't blame them; we are a self-destructive species with no outlook on a long lasting future. Why would any advanced civilization out there want to have contact with a species that hates its own kind?

 

Depends on who is trying to contact them.

Egoism is primitive and leads to selfishness, but an advanced race would be highly individualistic: They would not "beam down" a message to "humanity" because fuck humanity--they are as interested in Barack Obama as they are an insect or a worm. Logic and mathematics is the language of the cosmos, and the first ET messages will be received by a computer via the internet, not a telescope.

Arguably the entire internet is already ET technology--we just don't do enough low-level programming to access the proper channels. It was invented by the DOD as ARPANET: The Intergalactic Computer Network.

Yes. Intergalactic.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intergalactic_Computer_Network

http://worrydream.com/refs/Licklider-IntergalacticNetwork.pdf

 

Who is this traitor?! Who is interested in sharing vital information with the xenos?

 

Not initially but overtime it would be possible, we'd need time to examine them before attempting to communicate (and by examine I mean observe, not dissect). I believe in life on other planets, intelligent life that is. I find it hard to believe we're the only intelligent beings in existence, I hope that when I die my soul travels to another planet, sort of like a fantasy world.

 

Aliens are real, I've seen em