Has ET already dismissed us as unintelligent?

[+Hammerclaw]

Ah so aliens would have lungs then? I thought that was just an earthbound trait. I thought you were thinking out of the box? I mean why should aliens be like us in any way?

Your octopus is of earth. I just evolved it. You're making progress. In what ways will alien metabolisms be similar or wildly divergent? It's happened on earth. During caboniferous period the Earth's atmosphere would be toxic to human life and insects grew to extraordinary size.

[Junior Chubb]

Your reading comprehension skills need some work.I'll say it in simple words. Your idea of an alien is just like a human, with maybe pointy ears and arched eyebrows.

I did not say that, I mentioned that life evolving in a similar fashion to Earth is just as probable as any other suggestions that you or anybody else in this thread has made.

I added to your thinking rather than disagreeing with it.

The only part of your post I directly disagreed with was your need to open your post by being amused at and insulting other peoples opinions.

So again please show where in my response to your post I ruled out sentient life and put forward an idea of humanoids with pointy ears and arched eyebrows. It would be nice if you could do so without trying to goad me with veiled insults.

Edited June 19, 2014 by Junior Chubb

[+Hammerclaw]

sounds like a bit of doubt has crept into your theory... or maybe youre just afraid of a head to head with me?

I would never inflict my rapier-like wit on one so intellectually unarmed.

[+Hammerclaw]

I did not say that, I mentioned that life evolving in a similar fashion to Earth is just as probable as any other suggestions that you or anybody else in this thread has made.

I added to your thinking rather than disagreeing with it.

The only part of your post I directly disagreed with was your need to open your post by being amused at and insulting other peoples opinions.

So again please show where in my response to your post I ruled out sentient life and put forward an idea of humanoids with pointy ears and arched eyebrows. It would be nice if you could do so without trying to goad me with veiled insults.

Humans are sentient lifeforms and your premise of evolving similarly implies your aliens would be more-or-less human like. Edited June 19, 2014 by hammerclaw

[seeder]

I would never inflict my rapier-like wit on one so intellectually unarmed.

ha, I think you may be in for quite a surprise son... go on, do your best? I double dare you? But thats what you want isnt it? A diversion from the questions youve been asked - and so far have failed to give a valid answer...

[S2F]

yes I edited that in just before you quoted it

edit was "AFTER - first having sourced all the materials and made a design/plan"

You are right though, an octopus could not assemble such a contraption even with Lego instructions (which are fascinating, the level of detail and intuitive design that goes into Lego instructions, but that is neither here nor there...). However if the contraption was engineered a little more cephalo-centric?

Edited June 19, 2014 by Slave2Fate

[zoser]

I would never inflict my rapier-like wit on one so intellectually unarmed.

I've been here for years talking to these people.

It ET turned up on the doorsteps of some folk, they would think that someone slipped mushrooms in their coffee.

No proof is ever enough for some.

[S2F]

I've been here for years talking to these people.

It ET turned up on the doorsteps of some folk, they would think that someone slipped mushrooms in their coffee.

No proof is ever enough for some.

And anecdotes are too much for others.

[Junior Chubb]

Humans are sentient lifeforms and your premise of evolving similarly implies your aliens would be more-or-less human like.

Please re-read my first post, it was not as black and white as your original response or as you suggest now. The use of the words, 'could' and 'some may even argue' and 'possible' should alert you that I was putting forward ideas, some of which may not be my own and that these ideas are adding options and variations rather than contradicting yours.

And yet you come back with a similar response for the third time, telling me what you assume my version of ET life would be while ignoring the questions I put to you...

Please show me where I ruled out whatever your impression of alien life might be?

Please show me where I suggested aliens are humanoid with pointy ears and fluffy eyebrows?

[zoser]

And anecdotes are too much for others.

Look for corroborating testimony and trends.

That's the key. Next look for testimony from ordinary everyday folk; school kids, Farmers, Mr and Mrs Brown etc.

Try this:

[bubblykiss]

First Joke;

ETs are a bunch of racists.

First observation;

I have often wondered about the minds and thought processes of alien intelligent. To cross the gulfs of time and space just to come to a place like Earth only to mutilate cattle and probe rednecks.....well, that seems.....odd.....

[Sweetpumper]

First Joke;

ETs are a bunch of racists.

First observation;

I have often wondered about the minds and thought processes of alien intelligent. To cross the gulfs of time and space just to come to a place like Earth only to mutilate cattle and probe rednecks.....well, that seems.....odd.....

There's an original post.

[seeder]

First Joke;

ETs are a bunch of racists.

First observation;

I have often wondered about the minds and thought processes of alien intelligent. To cross the gulfs of time and space just to come to a place like Earth only to mutilate cattle and probe rednecks.....well, that seems.....odd.....

[zoser]

First Joke;

ETs are a bunch of racists.

First observation;

I have often wondered about the minds and thought processes of alien intelligent. To cross the gulfs of time and space just to come to a place like Earth only to mutilate cattle and probe rednecks.....well, that seems.....odd.....

Very odd ; a study of Ufology tells you that the truth is stranger than fiction.

[S2F]

Very odd ; a study of Ufology tells you that the truth is stranger than fiction.

Really? I've received the opposite opinion after all these years.

[zoser]

Really? I've received the opposite opinion after all these years.

Check out these two cases:

Close Encounters S01E01 HDTV XviD AFG

[+Hammerclaw]

ha, I think you may be in for quite a surprise son... go on, do your best? I double dare you? But thats what you want isnt it? A diversion from the questions youve been asked - and so far have failed to give a valid answer...

How does one give a "valid" answer to a question that can only be answered with speculation?

[+Hammerclaw]

Considering how many evolutionary factors that gave rise to the human form, most occurring purely by chance, including at least one asteroid strike, the odds of anything other than a vague resemblance of the human form evolving anywhere else is infinitely remote. So, what will an alien sentient lifeform look like? The short answer is almost certainly anything other than like us.

Edited June 19, 2014 by hammerclaw

[+Hammerclaw]

Check out these two cases:

Close Encounters S01E01 HDTV XviD AFG

UFOs were a passion of mine in my youth. The first book I read about them was Flying Saucers, Serious Business by Frank Edwards. Over the years i've become rather jaded and skeptical. The lack of believable photo documentation in an era of the unbiquitous HD camera is singularly depressing.

[psyche101]

It's amusing how simple-minded people think an alien sentient species is going to more-or-less look, act and think just like humans. The odds of meeting anything remotely similar to ourselves in form and technological level are literally astronomical. Humans have always created gods in their own image, and modern man entertains childish fantasies of human-like aliens who will land and share their wisdom with us and lead us into a bright new future. The minds of these people are filled with comicbooks and video fantasies, trekkies waiting to shake hands with the Vulcans.

Seeming as you are the one invoking Gods I'll assume the simply minded comment was directed back at yourself.

What you are telling me here is that you "do not get" evolution. It is nothing short of ridiculous to think that under "the right conditions" a blob of anything can life, account, utilise leverage, control fire and manipulate an environment.

You are stuck in the "in mans image" stupid believer argument without thinking about it. You think "different planet must be different" very basic thinking. It is egotistical of you to even inoke that argument, as it is WE who must step up to the bar, not the Universe measuring up to man, you have the entire idea back-ass backwards. We have to be able to control fire, we have to understand leverage, we have to account, all in order to attain an industrial revolution. 50 billion body shapes have risen here on this planet, and only one is capable of initiating an Industrial Revolution. We had to develop over the course of millions of years to step up to this bar, which is set by nature, not man. To be stuck in "different planet, must be different inhabitants" is what I find a closed minded and extraordinarily simplistic view of evolution and the rise of life. I'd say you have not thought about the actual possibilities at all.

Rather than comic books and TV shows, I challenge you to illustrate how the premise of an anthropomorphic shape is not the best design to attain intelligence. You argument is so far comprised of only a very limited personal view and in no way supports the notion you have placed forth. Yes, they will more than likely be anthropomorphic, aside from trying to Ad Hom, what actual reasoning do you have to support your personal view?

[psyche101]

'Simple-minded people' is a bit harsh, these people are only expressing their opinions on a subject that none of us know anything about, including yourself.

The only place ignorance has to back into is ad hom

Life from another world could be remarkably similar to life on Earth if that life has evolved in similar conditions. Some may even argue that it is likely to be very similar to life on Earth if the rules of evolution are universal and the conditions needed for life are narrow, even more so if Panspermia is something they see as possible.

Indeed we look for life in "Goldilocks zones" on "earth like planets"

Technology wise, you are right. ATM there is no chance of finding a civilisation that has the same level of advancement as ourselves, but that is pretty obvious considering we haven't taken man past the moon yet and if a matching civilisation haven't got past their moon (so to speak) we won't be crossing paths any time soon.

[psyche101]

So you lack the imagination to conceive of manipulative extremities that don't resemble human hands?

Resemble?

So you are falling back on anthropomorphic elements for your design now?

What a shock!! NOT.

LOL, strong or light gravity would make unimaginable being capable of leverage LOL, you just fight about it, try thinking about it for a bit.

[psyche101]

Look for corroborating testimony and trends.

That's the key. Next look for testimony from ordinary everyday folk; school kids, Farmers, Mr and Mrs Brown etc.

Try this:

Unless they are NOT ETH positive, then you don't so much as acknowledge them do you?

Which would be the definition of a hypocrite would it not?

[psyche101]

Considering how many evolutionary factors that gave rise to the human form, most occurring purely by chance, including at least one asteroid strike, the odds of anything other than a vague resemblance of the human form evolving anywhere else is infinitely remote. So, what will an alien sentient lifeform look like? The short answer is almost certainly anything other than like us.

Then how did we end up with so many Great Ape species after the strike? All quite similar in design, all of which competed to leave is sapiens standing. We are the last man, you seem to be ignoring the many other hominids that arose and ran the planet for a decent period of time there.

[+Hammerclaw]

Seeming as you are the one invoking Gods I'll assume the simply minded comment was directed back at yourself.

What you are telling me here is that you "do not get" evolution. It is nothing short of ridiculous to think that under "the right conditions" a blob of anything can life, account, utilise leverage, control fire and manipulate an environment.

You are stuck in the "in mans image" stupid believer argument without thinking about it. You think "different planet must be different" very basic thinking. It is egotistical of you to even inoke that argument, as it is WE who must step up to the bar, not the Universe measuring up to man, you have the entire idea back-ass backwards. We have to be able to control fire, we have to understand leverage, we have to account, all in order to attain an industrial revolution. 50 billion body shapes have risen here on this planet, and only one is capable of initiating an Industrial Revolution. We had to develop over the course of millions of years to step up to this bar, which is set by nature, not man. To be stuck in "different planet, must be different inhabitants" is what I find a closed minded and extraordinarily simplistic view of evolution and the rise of life. I'd say you have not thought about the actual possibilities at all.

Rather than comic books and TV shows, I challenge you to illustrate how the premise of an anthropomorphic shape is not the best design to attain intelligence. You argument is so far comprised of only a very limited personal view and in no way supports the notion you have placed forth. Yes, they will more than likely be anthropomorphic, aside from trying to Ad Hom, what actual reasoning do you have to support your personal view?

Practically every astronomer and scientist. But you go on and keep waiting on them Vulcans, ya hear.