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Given he so eloquently puts the arguments, it baffles me to think that we might just be an extremely lucky and rare occurrence in the universe. To me, it is mor

Given he so eloquently puts the arguments, it baffles me to think that we might just be an extremely lucky and rare occurrence in the universe. To me, it is more terrifying to think we are the only ones, than to think there are aliens. The vastness of spaces suddenly seems so claustrophobic.

cristianpascu 14y ago
I don't see what difference does it make if we're 7blns on this planet and alone in the Universe, or if there are other planets populated with bacteria or intelligent life. Actually, I think, it makes no difference. Look at Star Trek, a large series of civilizations which are pretty much variations on the same human theme. Claustrophobia starts when acknowledging that there's nothing else but the Universe. And nothing beyond our limited life. That's the scary thought.
- axusgrad 14y ago
  I like his ideas about biological life not being suited to spread throughout the galaxy, that it's going to be mechanical or at least completely engineered. If that's the case, why would engineered life ever want to land on a planet? It seems easier to take everything from asteroids and stay near shining stars and away from other gravity wells. Visiting/colonizing planet Earth doesn't make much sense, other than the challenge.
- saraid216 14y ago
  > Actually, I think, it makes no difference. Look at Star Trek, a large series of civilizations which are pretty much variations on the same human theme. Honestly, without an actual alien sapience to compare ourselves to, we haven't a clue what similarities or differences there can be. Fiction written by human beings is limited to the imagination of human beings and the interest of human beings. I have never found the authorial claims of how different species or races in science-fiction or fantasy or horror are to be particularly convincing. They're just humans proxying questions of racial stereotypes.

cristianpascu 14y ago

I don't see what difference does it make if we're 7blns on this planet and alone in the Universe, or if there are other planets populated with bacteria or intelligent life. Actually, I think, it makes no difference. Look at Star Trek, a large series of civilizations which are pretty much variations on the same human theme. Claustrophobia starts when acknowledging that there's nothing else but the Universe. And nothing beyond our limited life. That's the scary thought.

axusgrad 14y ago
I like his ideas about biological life not being suited to spread throughout the galaxy, that it's going to be mechanical or at least completely engineered. If that's the case, why would engineered life ever want to land on a planet? It seems easier to take everything from asteroids and stay near shining stars and away from other gravity wells. Visiting/colonizing planet Earth doesn't make much sense, other than the challenge.
saraid216 14y ago
> Actually, I think, it makes no difference. Look at Star Trek, a large series of civilizations which are pretty much variations on the same human theme. Honestly, without an actual alien sapience to compare ourselves to, we haven't a clue what similarities or differences there can be. Fiction written by human beings is limited to the imagination of human beings and the interest of human beings. I have never found the authorial claims of how different species or races in science-fiction or fantasy or horror are to be particularly convincing. They're just humans proxying questions of racial stereotypes.