4 ms·

I think it ends up being a relatively boring outcome, because then it would very strongly imply that some previous step between organic sludge, and intelligent

by M_Grey 10y ago

I think it ends up being a relatively boring outcome, because then it would very strongly imply that some previous step between organic sludge, and intelligent tool users is very VERY unlikely to occur. It would be good news in a sense, because it would imply nothing sinister about our future by comparison to past species, but it would be lonely. In the best estimate, I suppose you've seen that version of humanity in the various "Ancients" or "Proteans" and other first races in sci-fi.

XorNot 10y ago
Conversely I've always wondered what the effect on the zeitgeist would be if we discovered the ruins of an obviously advanced civilisation. Like an Earth-like habitable zone planet who's atmosphere was heavily contaminated with fission byproducts.
- deleted 10y ago
  [deleted]
- sand500 10y ago
  It would probably enforce the idea of The Great Filter[1]. It would also show that it's not uncommon for civilizations to develop similarly to humans. I would argue that the concept of war is a very human concept and doesn't necessarily have to apply to alien live which developed completely independently of Earth life. 1. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Filter https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Filter
- M_Grey 10y ago
  I think it would have less long-term impacts than many would like to thin. Human nature isn't so easily changed, and over time people who don't want to believe in the discovery simply won't. We still have flat-earthers and moon hoaxers, this needn't be any different. Even assuming that people believe it, when faced with the reality of the hard choices to be made in changing our course, how long would it take to rationalize the fear away? Not long, I suspect, except for the usual people who would have been reasonably concerned before any such discovery.

4 ms·

I think it ends up being a relatively boring outcome, because then it would very strongly imply that some previous step between organic sludge, and intelligent

by M_Grey 10y ago

XorNot 10y ago
Conversely I've always wondered what the effect on the zeitgeist would be if we discovered the ruins of an obviously advanced civilisation. Like an Earth-like habitable zone planet who's atmosphere was heavily contaminated with fission byproducts.
- deleted 10y ago
  [deleted]
- sand500 10y ago
  It would probably enforce the idea of The Great Filter[1]. It would also show that it's not uncommon for civilizations to develop similarly to humans. I would argue that the concept of war is a very human concept and doesn't necessarily have to apply to alien live which developed completely independently of Earth life. 1. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Filter https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Filter
- M_Grey 10y ago
  I think it would have less long-term impacts than many would like to thin. Human nature isn't so easily changed, and over time people who don't want to believe in the discovery simply won't. We still have flat-earthers and moon hoaxers, this needn't be any different. Even assuming that people believe it, when faced with the reality of the hard choices to be made in changing our course, how long would it take to rationalize the fear away? Not long, I suspect, except for the usual people who would have been reasonably concerned before any such discovery.