# It seems more likely that there would be aliens than there wouldn't **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [November 16, 2001, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-seems-more-likely-that-there-would-be-aliens-than-there-wouldnt/93833 "2001-11-16T22:40:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![whatever1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/8dc957/32.png) [@whatever1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/whatever1)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2001, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-seems-more-likely-that-there-would-be-aliens-than-there-wouldnt/93833/1 "2001-11-16T22:40:25Z")
First off, I don’t think that aliens ever visited this planet. But since the universe is so huge(maybe never- ending), and made up of stars with planets revolving around them, just like our, it seems way more likley that there is living creatures on other planets. I don’t know if that is obvious to some poeple, but quite a few people I know don’t believe that there is other life out there So what do you thinks ---
**Author:** ![Ferrous](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Ferrous](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferrous)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2001, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-seems-more-likely-that-there-would-be-aliens-than-there-wouldnt/93833/2 "2001-11-16T22:49:48Z")
Agreed quite likely Existence of animals Nonterrestrial ---
**Author:** ![scotth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b9e5f3/32.png) [@scotth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scotth)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2001, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-seems-more-likely-that-there-would-be-aliens-than-there-wouldnt/93833/3 "2001-11-16T22:54:04Z")
Wow, I feel like I am following Ferrous around now. I will still agree with your proposition, though. I would even go so far to say that it is likely that there is or has been other intelligent life out there somewhere. I will also agree the evidence for visits to this planet of the type claimed by (way to) many is very poor. ---
**Author:** ![Reeder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c6cbf5/32.png) [@Reeder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reeder)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2001, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-seems-more-likely-that-there-would-be-aliens-than-there-wouldnt/93833/4 "2001-11-16T23:00:27Z")
The way I look at it, is that there is life out there. Either that or we are the start of life in the Universe. ---
**Author:** ![Ferrous](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Ferrous](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferrous)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2001, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-seems-more-likely-that-there-would-be-aliens-than-there-wouldnt/93833/5 "2001-11-16T23:04:47Z")
Come on, guys! We’re supposed to be conducting this debate in verse! At least, that was the impression I got from the OP…? ---
**Author:** ![geepee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ebca7d/32.png) [@geepee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/geepee)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2001, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-seems-more-likely-that-there-would-be-aliens-than-there-wouldnt/93833/6 "2001-11-16T23:41:05Z")
Of course there is non earth based life , to think other wise would be grossly arrogant of humanity. There was a search for life on earth (TV program) in inhospitable places such as the cones of semi active vocanoes where the water acidity was so high nobody thought anything could live there .Places where it was so cold scientists found life (albeit in basic bactierial forms) and places where there was no sun light (which people used to think was THE power source of all life) such as the deep oceans there was life on volcanic vents . So water + some form of energy = life (though maybe not your independance day (film) type aliens). Now in our very own solar system theres this moon called Europa that has thick sheets of ice and its speculated maybe there is life under the ice. ---
**Author:** ![2nd\_guest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/2/d07c76/32.png) [@2nd\_guest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/2nd_guest)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2001, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-seems-more-likely-that-there-would-be-aliens-than-there-wouldnt/93833/7 "2001-11-18T20:29:42Z")
I assume that there are aliens visiting us all the time. But they are shaped like roaches, and easily squashed, so we never try to connect on an intellectual level. ---
**Author:** ![2nd\_guest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/2/d07c76/32.png) [@2nd\_guest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/2nd_guest)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2001, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-seems-more-likely-that-there-would-be-aliens-than-there-wouldnt/93833/8 "2001-11-18T20:34:35Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Ferrous \* > \*\*Come on, guys! We’re supposed to be conducting this debate in verse! > > At least, that was the impression I got from the OP…? \*\* I think you have a point! I’ll rephrase my last post There once was a cockroach Max Headroom Who wanted to visit my bedroom I squashed him at once For he looked like a dunce But actually he was an alien that could have given us the formulae for cold fusion if I hadn’t booted him into the Deadroom. ---
**Author:** ![whatmove](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/ecc23a/32.png) [@whatmove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/whatmove)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2001, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-seems-more-likely-that-there-would-be-aliens-than-there-wouldnt/93833/9 "2001-11-18T21:09:26Z")
{scene opens on dark café, man dressed in all black on small stage, beating on drum} ::beat:: ::beat:: ::beat:: ::beat:: ::beat beat beat:: ::beat beat beat:: ::beat:: ::beat:: ::beat beat beat:: ::beat beat beat:: ::beat beat beat:: (silence) EXISTANCE!!! ::beat:: ::beat:: ::beat:: {man steps down} ---
**Author:** ![ACoverOfNoise](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a3d4f5/32.png) [@ACoverOfNoise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ACoverOfNoise)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2001, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-seems-more-likely-that-there-would-be-aliens-than-there-wouldnt/93833/10 "2001-11-19T19:58:52Z")
Try searching the net for the Drake Equation When it comes to ETs, it’s the latest sensation The chances, it seems Based on grandest extremes Leads the hopeful to have a high expectation To the quest of “are we alone?” In this universe, vast it has grown Many times have I thunk That it’s probably all bunk But let’s throw SciFi writers a bone ---
**Author:** ![Asylum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/53a042/32.png) [@Asylum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asylum)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2001, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-seems-more-likely-that-there-would-be-aliens-than-there-wouldnt/93833/11 "2001-11-19T20:58:10Z")
> [@](#): > > _Originally written by Bill Watterson_\*\* > Sometimes I think the surest sign that there is intelligent life in the universe is that they’ve never tried to contact us. \*\* ---
**Author:** ![gobear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8dc957/32.png) [@gobear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gobear)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2001, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-seems-more-likely-that-there-would-be-aliens-than-there-wouldnt/93833/12 "2001-11-19T21:33:02Z")
> [@](#): > > Of course there is non earth based life , to think other wise would be grossly arrogant of humanity. I have never understood this argument. How can you say “of course, there is alien life” when we simply do not have enough information to make an intelligent answer to the question? The universe is huge, and with the multitude of galaxies, each containing millions of stars, many with planets, I feel sure that there’s life elsewhere, but that’s mere conjecture based on no evidence. The best evidence to show that life is possible elsewhere is that we’re here. On the other hand, Earth is the only life-bearing planet out of nine in the solar system. Even if life is relatively common, the physical limitations of the universe ensure that we will never be able to visit any other races Out There. For all we know, there are many life-bearing planets in our galactic neighborhood, but none of them have developed intelligence. We have yet to pick up any alien TV shows or radio broadcasts, which doesn’t bode well for the chances of sentient life anywhere close by. ---
**Author:** ![Ikujinashi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/f19dbf/32.png) [@Ikujinashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ikujinashi)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2001, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-seems-more-likely-that-there-would-be-aliens-than-there-wouldnt/93833/13 "2001-11-19T21:36:09Z")
The universe has been around for a while, Life too, on earth, but not for as long. How do they compare? I don’t know, we’re not done. But if we should make it another million years Before petering out, we’re a short bang In a long pause of empty silence. What I’m trying to say is aliens: sure. Plenty of planets can produce life, But why should their bang and our bang coincide? We can find dead aliens, aliens can find dead us, Unimaginable coincidence if we coincide. ---
**Author:** ![Triskadecamus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b19c9b/32.png) [@Triskadecamus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Triskadecamus)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2001, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-seems-more-likely-that-there-would-be-aliens-than-there-wouldnt/93833/14 "2001-11-20T04:11:26Z")
If a trillion civilizations, Each expanding at the speed of light, Lived out its million years, each one, Since the galaxies first coalesced; Then there probably isn’t one nearer Than a million light years from us, And hasn’t been for half a billion years. It’s a very big universe. ## Tris “Sic transit gloria mundi. And Tuesday’s usually worse.” ~ Robert A. Heinlein ~ ---
**Author:** ![Ikujinashi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/f19dbf/32.png) [@Ikujinashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ikujinashi)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2001, 5:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-seems-more-likely-that-there-would-be-aliens-than-there-wouldnt/93833/15 "2001-11-20T05:39:54Z")
This galaxy’s an empty neighborhood? Agreed, the sign of civilization is this: Broad cast electromagnetic waves that would Stand out from the background hiss. From some distant star: ‘Jerry, Jerry, Jerry!’ But these alien missives fly to, and past, At light’s fastest speed, they donot tarry. How long have we sat in wait for outerspace telecasts? Not long, and so the absence we see out there Might have been under one century, not so serious. If only Marconi had listened with more care, He might have caught the final 'cast: Survivor: Sirius. ---
**Author:** ![FriendRob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ecc23a/32.png) [@FriendRob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FriendRob)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2001, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-seems-more-likely-that-there-would-be-aliens-than-there-wouldnt/93833/16 "2001-11-21T17:27:51Z")
In culture more advanced in age than ours Neutrino beams are the latest rage, their powers Are greater far than electromagnetic: Earthlings are really rather pathetic. One day on the beams we’ll hear, I think, “Earth, **you** are the weakest link: Bye-bye!” ---
**Author:** ![Phobos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Phobos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phobos)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2001, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-seems-more-likely-that-there-would-be-aliens-than-there-wouldnt/93833/17 "2001-11-21T18:55:36Z")
As has been said, given the size & possibilities in the universe, there’s a good chance that there is E.T. life. We can’t quantify the probability due to the uncertainties of the Drake Equation and the fact that we haven’t even figured out abiogenesis on Earth yet. It’s possible there is no other life, but to me, that seems highly unlikely for the reasons everyone has stated. People who are convinced that there is no E.T. life are usually clinging to some modern version of a geocentrist “humans are the center and the purpose of the universe” mentality. Or perhaps they’ve never given it much thought to begin with. Not enough people look upwards & ponder such big questions. ---
**Author:** ![MonkeyMensch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@MonkeyMensch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MonkeyMensch)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2001, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-seems-more-likely-that-there-would-be-aliens-than-there-wouldnt/93833/18 "2001-11-21T20:01:14Z")
[QUOTE] \*Originally posted by gobear \* \*\* > [@](#): > > Even if life is relatively common, the physical limitations of the universe ensure that we will never be able to visit any other races Out There. \*\* Actually the physical limitations of the Universe aren’t that restrictive. If I had a spaceship capable of generating one G of acceleration for thirty days the relativistic time dilation would be sufficient for me to go anywhere, pretty much, in the Universe. If I also get to decelerate at one G for thirty days I would be able to stop and visit. The drawback is I don’t get to send any information back to Earth in a timely manner, and while I’ve been away on my little jaunt the Earth will have experienced a time passage of millions and millions of years. [QUOTE] _Originally posted by geepee_ \*\* > [@](#): > > So water + some form of energy = life (though maybe not your independance day (film) type aliens). Now in our very own solar system theres this moon called Europa that has thick sheets of ice and its speculated maybe there is life under the ice.\*\* Well I’d say it more like _water + some form of energy = life in a lot of places on Earth_. The idea that our little corner of the Universe is typical of the whole is generally referred to as the Principle of Uniformity (not the Geologic one). If there IS life on Europa that would be evidence that, at least, life on Earth is not unique. But scientifically, the amount of evidence we have for life outside of our Solar System is nil. There’s a terrific article in Scientific American, this month or last, that postulates the first civilization to start colonizing the Galaxy would spread faster than life elsewhere would evolve. Thus you basically get to “take over the Galaxy.” Maybe we’re just to first to have evolved a technological civilization. ---
**Author:** ![erislover](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/71e660/32.png) [@erislover](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/erislover)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2001, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-seems-more-likely-that-there-would-be-aliens-than-there-wouldnt/93833/19 "2001-11-21T21:10:42Z")
As I hit reply Alien thoughts coalesce oops, not haiku thread [sub]with strict apologies to spiritus mundi[/sub] ---
**Author:** ![Slip\_Mahoney](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e47774/32.png) [@Slip\_Mahoney](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slip_Mahoney)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2001, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-seems-more-likely-that-there-would-be-aliens-than-there-wouldnt/93833/20 "2001-11-22T13:55:02Z")
The Drake Equation can’t be used to determine the probability of extraterrestial life. It only tells us what we don’t know. I’m leaning towards fifty-fifty on the chance of life out there. Either there is, or there isn’t. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-seems-more-likely-that-there-would-be-aliens-than-there-wouldnt/93833.md?page=2)