[Buffy]

Originally Posted by Fishteacher73

Life chugged along quite nicely before anything even remotely resembling intelligence arose ... any altercation in the timeline develops a very different world, one that perhaps intelligence is not needed, and therefore not selected for.

You betcha. I always thought there'd be a big ratio in the Drake equation of "planets with life" and "planets with intelligent life" but I also believe we underestimate the intelligence of animals. Just because they don't build things doesn't mean that dolphins for example aren't more highly evolved or more intelligent than we are ("so long! and thanks for all the fish!")...

There's also the notion from Babylon 5 and a bunch of other SciFi that there might be "waves" of progression: the "Original" civilizations of Bablyon 5 might just actually be us! I'm convinced though that "civilization" is a frequent occurrence, although, not an inevitable one for every planet that evolves life.

Cheers,
Buffy

[paultrr]

One thing even SETI has begun to see caution on is exactly earth like worlds. What we have begun to find out is nature seems to have a wide variety of planetary systems in its brush work, so to speak. We've also begun to discover that life seems to find a way even in harsh conditions. At the same time I think it is safe to say that intelligence itself needs a bit wider definition. Human's, as intelligent as we are, are not the mold when it comes to defining either life or intelligence. We are simply just one of many molds out there.

[Qfwfq]

I'm sure that around some other stars there are planets where there are dolphins, gorillas, dogs and many other highly intelligent creatures. Unfortunately I fear that these creatures may also be subject to the utter nuissance of beings somewhat like us.

I am, however, skeptical about travel between Sun and other stars.

[niviene]

I voted There's intelligent life in the universe and they've visited. I think that it's kind of arrogant to assume we're the smartest things in this universe... I feel that in all the space, there are more than one intelligent life forms, and I wouldn't doubt if one of them at least knows we are here. ...Perhaps one of them is where we came from.... *Twilight Zone music..*

[IMAMONKEY!]

OK niviene... i think its highly improbable that they visited. but what i mean by that is that i dont think they visited when we were intelligent. I said there is intelligent life out there because it is extremely selfish and arrogant to think otherwise. Howver, they have not visited Earth for the same reason we havent visited them. The Universe is too... stinkin big!!!! There are probably life forms elsewhere, in fact i think the probability of that is extremely high. I just think they are too far away to visit us. People that think aliens constantly visit us are ignorant and stupid. I cant believe anyone would agree to such bull! Those rumors have been around for... what... 30 years?!?! NOw if u think about it... an alien race advanced enough to cross the galaxy and find us and do it within their lifespan, would have to be advanced enough to finish their tests within 2 days! i mean come on! seriously... and theyd be advanced enough to know that it would be smart to reveal themselves and then stay unless threatened or provoked... and if i get any bull about them being shy... ill shoot the person that says that!

[Tormod]

Originally Posted by IMAMONKEY!

People that think aliens constantly visit us are ignorant and stupid. I cant believe anyone would agree to such bull! Those rumors have been around for... what... 30 years?!?!... and if i get any bull about them being shy... ill shoot the person that says that!

Admin warning: This kind of language will get you banned from our forums. Please watch it and show some respect for our members.

[IMAMONKEY!]

sry... forgot this is a science forum not a gaming forum... im so used to that... geez i have to stop playing the computer... lol... it wont happen again.. note any posts after this from hereonout will not do that... pls dont hold any others before this post agianst me!

[orbsycli]

heh. it's been a lot longer than 30 years, i'd say at least double that. wasn't it 1945 when the UFO craze hit america? that's just a guess, but i believe it was around there.

[Fishteacher73]

Roswell occured on July 5, 1947 (my mom's birthday....and she was adopted...That would explain a lot).

[orbsycli]

haha nice, i was close.
from my understanding that was all just a weather balloon.
the shiny material, the pink symbols, what do you guys think?

plus...how could you have an alien spacecraft made out of shiny thin material like that?

i kind of feel bad for the hardcore believers....