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In one of the many debates on this topic I've participated in, one of my favorite (because it is optimistic) scenario is that we are not alone and the other civ
by ChuckMcM 7y ago
In one of the many debates on this topic I've participated in, one of my favorite (because it is optimistic) scenario is that we are not alone and the other civilizations are waiting to see if we kill ourselves or not before they stop by to chat.
That line of reasoning started with, "If we knew then, what we know now, would we have claimed the new world for conquest?" There are examples that we would not, for example protecting Brazilian indigenous peoples who have not contacted the outside world from being visited by people. Would "modern" western Europeans wait for the native Americans to sail east and meet them? One could hope they would. With a careful understanding of infectious diseases and respecting their traditions and culture.
It is arguably the case that we have lost much in terms of culture, ideas, and diversity through genocidal colonialism. Would a more enlightened civilization decide not to go there? I would like to think so.
- anon4242 7y ago> are waiting to see if we kill ourselves or not before they stop by to chat Waiting? For how long? How can they tell that we've passed the threshold of being in the group of species that won't off ourselves? I'm more inclined to think that we may not be all that interesting to more advanced species or as the author writes that our time-span simply does not overlap with the time-span of any intelligent life close enough to signal us.
- lostmsu 7y agoI'd wait for a self-sustained off-homeworld base.
- Chris_Chambers 7y agoCulture, ideas, and diversity are being forcibly dismantled and replaced with artificial substitutes worldwide by people who imagine themselves to be our masters in order to turn us into more efficient atomized labor drones. By your logic this means that aliens would subvert and enslave us without ever revealing themselves. Also, the former residents of the Golan Heights would probably disagree with your assertion that the actual rulers of this planet aren't hellbent on conquest.
- richardhod 7y agoi don't think our civilisations are enlightened enough yet, but I appreciate your optimism, and share your wishes. Once we solve the Psychopath-CEO-President-Capital problems, perhaps...