I was wondering what the implications are, of finding life on another planet? What does it matter if we find micro organisms on jupiter’s moon IO? What’s it gonna change? You think it might cure cancer?
I figure it would certainly have religious implications but it really wouldn’t change my life too much. My curiosity would be satisfied that’s for sure. Other than the knowledge that we are “not alone” how do you think it might effect your life now or your life in the future?
One of the few to be personally welcomed to this board by Ed Zotti.
life on a microorganismal scale would be of great scientific interest, but probably wouldn’t spark much more than a brief flurry of interest in the public consciousness.
“intelligent” life would probably cause quite a few people to become catatonic. and that would just be for starters. i would like to hope that it would unify our species.
i think that life falling in between these two levels (eg. io “rats” or other intergalactic vermin) would still cause some serious questioning amongst the entire population of the globe. people would have a much easier time passing off a bacterium than a macroscopic organism. but i’m not quite sure what the reaction would be.
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Actually, it might cure cancer. Knowledge gained by studying a new biology perhaps could be applied to human medicine.
Some chemical from the alien biology could have a beneficial effect on the human body, perhaps (or likely) a totally different effect that it has on the alien life form.
It could even simply get scientists thinking about different chemical reactions, and inspire them to create new medicines.
It wouldn’t necessarily have religious implications, unless you interpret your particular ideology to foolishly preclude lifeforms of extraterrestrial origin. I think most current religions could incorporate alien life without too much of a paradigm shift.
Finding life elsewhere, even microscopic life, would be an extremely valuable scientific discovery. This would give scientists the ability to evaluate the abiogenesis and evolutionary theories against another data point. Conversely, it could give evidence for Scylla’s favorite theory, panspermia, if E.T. had DNA and it was similar to the DNA of life on earth.
I think it would fuel a Renaissance in science. More children would want to become scientists, and there would be an increased desire to explore space.
Here is a littel back ground in this debate.Jupiter’s moon io is a hot volcanic world life as we know it can’t exist there. Europa on the other hand might have a liquid sea under the ice that surounds the moon. If that were so then there would be deep sea volcanic vents wich could suport life. On earth these types of volcanic vents suport a vast bace of life. Hope this helps.
You are aware that the folks I am talking about are the ones who don’t even admit that dinosaurs lived and they feel the universe is 6,000 some odd years old, right?
If these people can’t accept science’s word on something as obvious and backed with evidence as the theory of evolution, how do you think they would react to martians?
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They would make a serious attempt to save their souls for Jesus. See Ray Bradbury on this subject, The Martian Chronicles, and other of his stories here and there.
“Why, sometimes I’ve believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast!” - the White Queen
Satan, they would probably incorporate it into their worldview with some unassailable logic like “Well, God put the aliens there to test our faith.” Or “God created them at the same time he created all the other animals.”
Maybe it would motivate them to evaluate things rationally and stop the Anti-Science campaign.
Well, I can dream, right??
BTW, congrats on your smokeless streak. I know it is particularly difficult to relinquish a cherished vice. I find it ironic that Hell’s Overlord would stop burning anything.
They don’t need life to do that. I watched a pretty fascinating space special on The Discover Channel within the past year, which noted that some predict an upcoming space race by huge companies who will fly off to a planet, moon or asteroid somewhere, claim it as their property on a first-come, first-served type of thing, and get insanely rich off exploiting its minerals and other resources.
The technology isn’t there yet for this to happen on a corporate scale, but sometime this century, just you watch …
Everything said so far is pretty interesting but I am selfishly wondering how it might effect my life. My ambient thoughts of my existence might be broader…shit that doesn’t make any sense.
That is to say I might be in wonderment for a while as most people would I imagine, but like the lunar landing, I think it would soon wear off. Unless of course, we found something that could communicate rather than just tiny frozen organisims then * that * would be a continuing interest. But with the technology where it is today I can’t see where getting even a small amount of proof of other intelligent life 5000 light years away is gonna make a difference to us here on earth.
The religious folks are gonna adapt if life of any kind is ever discovered. The creator created us all…that kind of thing and they might be right. Now if we could contact intelligent life out there, who had somehow made contact with the creator…then that * would be * life changing.
One of the few to be personally welcomed to this board by Ed Zotti.
From a religious perspective, it would not bother me at all.
In fact, I believe there is intelligent life on other planets, but unless there is sometime about space travel that we have not yet figured out (that traveling at the speed of light thing for one, maybe a wormhole and the ability to use it) then we are not going to be able to get to them and in a like manner they cannot get to us. Never mind the slim chance of them coming to see us periodically.
On a personal level, I think it would be quite fascinating, but as aha said, I do not think it would have long term effects on me, unless we started an interstellar trade or something.
Well, maybe so Jeff, but in your time on this board, you’ve shown that in spite of your limitations (living in the South, a Southern Baptist, a Braves fan), you AIN’T LIKE THEM OTHER LOONIES! You’re SMART and stuff…
(And lest anyone think I hate the South or Southern Baptists: ;))
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I don’t know if this helps but I once read a story (and, dammit, I cant remember who it was by) where an alien radio signal was detected but was completely undecipherable (and not repeated).
The story dealt with the effects of the alien message on Humanity. There were some strange effects (religious conflict, some suicides, a renewed, almost obssesive interest in science, etc).
To my mind, just the knowledge of E.T.s will profoundly affect us.
The discovery of life on other planets would have two major religious effects that I can think of:
It would demonstrate that life simply happens, rather than requiring a creator. Although, of course, not all religerazzi will recognize this. “God made microbes on Mars for us to find!” Ugh…
It would give rise to the question of whether or not human beings are really God’s favorites, as many would like to believe. Suddenly, we wouldn’t be as unique or special. And many would likely be unable to deal with this concept.
How would the believers deal with these issues? Ya got me; I’m cool with 'em both.
I have been complemented by Satan. I guess I had better not mention this to either my minister or my parents.
As to the questions raised by Max. No religion I have knowledge of has made any statements in recent times that there can be no life on other planets.
I believe God made all planets and all creatures on them. Why would microbes on another planet be an indication that God does not exist?
I also do not believe that God favors humans or beings from Earth. I believe he loves all his creatures. No matter how small and no matter on what planet they reside.
I am not sure where the problem you are perceiving is.
