5 ms·

Since this is recirculating in the public consciousness, I'm going to repeat my pet theory: they're automated Von Neumann probes that have been in the solar sys

Since this is recirculating in the public consciousness, I'm going to repeat my pet theory: they're automated Von Neumann probes that have been in the solar system (and probably ~all star systems in the galaxy) for longer than humanity has existed, and are performing reconnaissance now that there are signs of intelligent life on the planet. I like this theory because it obviates large problems with other theories, ie crossing interstellar distances just to visit us (they were already here), the lack of observed Von Neumann probes when they should be common (now they've been observed), the idea that some earthly nation has managed to develop technology so far beyond all others and keep it secret (nope), etc.

wbhart 7y ago
Why would Von Neumann probes make silent, sharp, right angled turns at impossible speeds with no visible thrust, defying the known laws of physics. It can't be evidence of aliens if it isn't even possible.
- 64738 7y ago
  That makes no sense to me. If something is doing something, then it's automatically possible, which, if lacking another explanation, automatically means it could be evidence of aliens. And, defying the known laws of physics isn't impossible, either. We can't even know how much we don't know. That leaves a lot of wiggle room.
- Rodeoclash 7y ago
  I don't know "how" they do it, but those kind of motions do remind me of how AI agents move in computer games when unconstrained by the rules of physics.
  - holler 7y ago
    perhaps some alien in another dimension was moving his mouse a different direction?
- Tossrock 7y ago
  It doesn't violate the laws of physics, just of typical human aircraft engineering. The lack of visible thrust could be due to using interaction with the Earth's magnetic field[1] to generate thrust, as one random example. 1: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electrodynamic_tether https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electrodynamic_tether

wbhart 7y ago

Why would Von Neumann probes make silent, sharp, right angled turns at impossible speeds with no visible thrust, defying the known laws of physics. It can't be evidence of aliens if it isn't even possible.

64738 7y ago
That makes no sense to me. If something is doing something, then it's automatically possible, which, if lacking another explanation, automatically means it could be evidence of aliens. And, defying the known laws of physics isn't impossible, either. We can't even know how much we don't know. That leaves a lot of wiggle room.
Rodeoclash 7y ago
I don't know "how" they do it, but those kind of motions do remind me of how AI agents move in computer games when unconstrained by the rules of physics.
- holler 7y ago
  perhaps some alien in another dimension was moving his mouse a different direction?
Tossrock 7y ago
It doesn't violate the laws of physics, just of typical human aircraft engineering. The lack of visible thrust could be due to using interaction with the Earth's magnetic field[1] to generate thrust, as one random example. 1: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electrodynamic_tether https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electrodynamic_tether