5 ms·

If we had the resources wouldn't we visit another planet with intelligent life? Wouldn't that become a primary focus for the human race?

amelius 9y ago
I don't want to sound negative, but considering we have so many problems with racism already, think of the problems we'd face when there would be another intelligent species around! There's probably a reason why there is only one intelligent species on Earth, and it isn't pretty. Finally, by the time we'd be able to visit another planet, we'd probably prefer sitting in our Holodecks all day.
- ekianjo 9y ago
  > There's probably a reason why there is only one intelligent species on Earth, and it isn't pretty. ONe intelligent species on Earth? So you are assuming most animals are moving objects without any thought or emotion?
- Broken_Hippo 9y ago
  Maybe, maybe not. It would more depend on circumstances - friendly encounter might not go so badly. Just because we haven't solved some things doesn't mean we shouldn't try others or open other doors. Even if we do it despite the fact that racism is still a problem.
- throwanem 9y ago
  > only one intelligent species on Earth Dolphins are pretty smart! Mean like us, too. If we and they didn't inhabit incompatible environments, I suspect we'd have had some complicated history with them, and probably now speak of them in the past tense - or they'd speak so of us.
  - pjmlp 9y ago
    Ravens as well.
    - throwanem 9y ago
      They are! I recently had to make peace with a family of them, one of whose fledglings I had inadvertently upset by getting too close with a camera. Fortunately, ravens are smart enough to recognize the combination of repeated food offerings, and a demurral to repeat the initial rudeness, as earnest of good intent - walking out the door with my camera no longer provokes alarm calls and surveillance overflights. Catbirds, not so much - I pissed off one of those back when there was snow on the ground, and I suspect he'd still quite happily rip my lungs out if he could.

amelius 9y ago

I don't want to sound negative, but considering we have so many problems with racism already, think of the problems we'd face when there would be another intelligent species around! There's probably a reason why there is only one intelligent species on Earth, and it isn't pretty. Finally, by the time we'd be able to visit another planet, we'd probably prefer sitting in our Holodecks all day.

ekianjo 9y ago
> There's probably a reason why there is only one intelligent species on Earth, and it isn't pretty. ONe intelligent species on Earth? So you are assuming most animals are moving objects without any thought or emotion?
Broken_Hippo 9y ago
Maybe, maybe not. It would more depend on circumstances - friendly encounter might not go so badly. Just because we haven't solved some things doesn't mean we shouldn't try others or open other doors. Even if we do it despite the fact that racism is still a problem.
throwanem 9y ago
> only one intelligent species on Earth Dolphins are pretty smart! Mean like us, too. If we and they didn't inhabit incompatible environments, I suspect we'd have had some complicated history with them, and probably now speak of them in the past tense - or they'd speak so of us.
- pjmlp 9y ago
  Ravens as well.
  - throwanem 9y ago
    They are! I recently had to make peace with a family of them, one of whose fledglings I had inadvertently upset by getting too close with a camera. Fortunately, ravens are smart enough to recognize the combination of repeated food offerings, and a demurral to repeat the initial rudeness, as earnest of good intent - walking out the door with my camera no longer provokes alarm calls and surveillance overflights. Catbirds, not so much - I pissed off one of those back when there was snow on the ground, and I suspect he'd still quite happily rip my lungs out if he could.