When I think in the context of intelligent life on planets other than this one, I always think of the unimagineable odds, of life evolving into something even microscopicly similar to us. And say this did happen. For us to witness it, it would have to happen in the same ‘window’ of time that we are experiencing; which for us, has been a very very short time in comparison to, fe, the age of the earth. If i had to guess, I think there probably is life somewhere out there, but it could be dinosaur like, or fish like, or maybe something much cooler, but i doubt that it would be something able or even willing to communicate like we are at this point.
Another thought: Most of us consider the human race to be the ‘alpha’ or ‘top dog’ of all the different species here on earth. We are probably the most intelligent, we have basically mastered life on earth, and most importantly, we have thumbs. But at the same time we are, more or less…rookies. If you’ve ever looked an alligator or crocodile in the eye, you can almost sense their hatred. Of course to us, it seems like they hate everything; they show absolutely no emotions, which is probably why they scare the hell out of most people. But if they have any idea of how much longer they’ve been around in comparison to us, then their hatred is for good reason. The question I’m trying to get at is this: Can you see the potential in any line of species, that has a ‘chance’ to evolve into something smarter or more capable than us?
-gunner
My bolding. I think you’re making the common, erroneous assumption that species are evolving in a “direction”. What will cause a species to evolve more intelligence is if enviromental factors and random mutations combine in such a way that more offspring are produced by the more intelligent members of the species. But big brains are very expensice organs to maintain. If an animal is born with a bigger brain, but doesn’t have the diet available (or the means to exploit that diet) to support that brain, then it will be more of a liability than an asset.
I didn’t(or mean to at least) assume that species are evolving in a ‘direction’. What i meant to ask, or should have asked, is that given the conditions we live in today and the available species, is there one in particular that has the ‘potential’ to evolve into something that could ‘outsmart’ us for the ‘dominant’ position. Also that the conditions will sustain for a long enough period of time for this to happen. The first mammel that comes to mind is an elephant, but given their size, and that they use all four limbs for walking, they don’t really stand a chance. This is a pretty irelevant question in terms of my life, but I entertained the thought and went ahead and posted it. Also i’ve never heard of the Drake Equation, but it obviously took my ‘theory’ far beyond where i had it. thanks for the cite man…
As long as we’re around, I can’t see another species evolving to dominate us thru intelligence. Or even to come close-- evolution works too slowly. More likely we’ll be done in by a parasite or a virus or some other “lowly” life form.
The parasite is good example and I would have never thought of it. All it really would take is horrible virus or bacteria to wipe us out. And I guess that would be, in a sense, ‘outsmarting us’.
probably bc this thread sucks. I seem to always get ‘ideas’, and think they’re awesome, then have someone tell me that my ‘idea’ has already been thought of, tested, proved wrong, etc. Next time i’ll do a little research before I ‘theorize’.
If we restrict the discussion to large mammals (which as a pretty reasonable thing to do), you probably won’t see major evolutionary changes unless there are major environmental changes to drive them. So wait until the next ice age, and then you might see something dramatic happen.
I read a book a while ago about something like this (Prey by Michael Cretion <-- not spelt (spelled?) right). Aside from the book’s dubious science, I would reccomed it. The basic plot was that humans created a bunch of self replicating nano machines then (SPOILERS)
(SPOILERS) the nano machines started imitating humans, and there was an evolution of the machines, until they formed a communial intellegence. So I suppose you could say that these were critters that were more intellegent than humans.
But at the same time we are, more or less…rookies. If you’ve ever looked an alligator or crocodile in the eye, you can almost sense their hatred. Of course to us, it seems like they hate everything; they show absolutely no emotions, which is probably why they scare the hell out of most people. But if they have any idea of how much longer they’ve been around in comparison to us, then their hatred is for good reason. The question I’m trying to get at is this: Can you see the potential in any line of species, that has a ‘chance’ to evolve into something smarter or more capable than us?
If only Ms. Cleo were still in buisiness…