Do you believe in intelligent life forms in Outer Space?

[HappinessNow]

Do you believe in intelligent life forms in Outer Space?

[Nerd King]

I'm having enough trouble finding intelligent life on Earth...

[matthew.ball]

You need to define intelligence.

But yes, surely there exists some form of intelligence.

[izz.y]

Most Definitely, Look at the theory of parallel universes. It has been proven that we are a minute part of all existence, and there is bound to be life someplace else. I believe there is life, but so far no one can prove that. Although this is a little irrelevant, I am completely new to forums of any kind, and I have some major Ubuntu issues, and I can not figure out how to make a new thread, can someone please tell me how, because I seriously can not figure out how to make my own thread to ask a question.

[RichardLinx]

Most Definitely, Look at the theory of parallel universes. It has been proven that we are a minute part of all existence, and there is bound to be life someplace else. I believe there is life, but so far no one can prove that. Although this is a little irrelevant, I am completely new to forums of any kind, and I have some major Ubuntu issues, and I can not figure out how to make a new thread, can someone please tell me how, because I seriously can not figure out how to make my own thread to ask a question.

Just click "New Thread" in any forum section. The button is on the left side mid-top of the screen.

Do I believe there is intelligent life in the Universe? Of course! We can already count (literally) millions of millions of Suns, presumably a large number of those Suns have there own planetary systems. You would have to be extremely ignorant to say "there is no chance of intelligent life in the universe other then us".

[HappinessNow]

I'm having enough trouble finding intelligent life on Earth...
Then you would need to select this option:

"Beam me up Scotty. There's no intelligent life here!"

[HappinessNow]

You need to define intelligence.



Refer to the Wikipedia for definition:


As of yet, no intelligent life has been discovered. However, many scientists, such as Carl Sagan, believe that it is nearly impossible that no other intelligent life exists in the universe.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Extraterrestrial_life

[Eisenwinter]

Of course I believe in that.

I believe the universe is filled with life. We're just on the edge of it so we can't find it yet, and our current technology doesn't allow us to fly through space for months (and even possibly years) at a time.

[RichardLinx]

our current technology doesn't allow us to fly through space for months (and even possibly years) at a time.

Not to mention the whole problem with time dilation as shown by Einsteins theory of relativity. You'd think some higher form of intelligence would have made contact with us by now...

Guess we still don't have the tech to receive there version of high-speed radio waves? :D

[Lupi]

Until it's not scientifically proven, I won't believe it.

[RichardLinx]

Until it's not scientifically proven, I won't believe it.

Ignorance is bliss. "Until it's scientifically proven that the Earth rotates around the Sun, I won't believe it"

Lucky they've proved that one. Aliens will be proven soon enough. ;)

[HappinessNow]

Until it's not scientifically proven, I won't believe it.


Ignorance is bliss. "Until it's scientifically proven that the Earth rotates around the Sun, I won't believe it"

Lucky they've proved that one. Aliens will be proven soon enough. ;)
Nothing in Science is "proven" only supported or not supported.

[RichardLinx]

Nothing is Science is "proven" only supported or not supported.

This isn't a philosophy discussion.

[schauerlich]

They live among us.

:drsmall: :drsmall: :drsmall:

[|Mitch|]

Benjamin Franklin - Believe nothing of what you hear, and only half of what you see.

Until there are documented & proven sightings, I believe none of it. Maybe it's just I could care-less either way.

[HappinessNow]

This isn't a philosophy discussion.


Scientific method refers to a body of techniques (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Technique) for investigating phenomena (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phenomenon), acquiring new knowledge (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knowledge), or correcting and integrating previous knowledge. To be termed scientific, a method of inquiry (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inquiry) must be based on gathering observable (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Observable), empirical (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Empirical) and measurable (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Measure) evidence (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evidence) subject to specific principles of reasoning (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reasoning).[1] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scientific_method#cite_note-Newton.2C1999-0) A scientific method consists of the collection of data (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Data) through observation (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Observation) and experimentation (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Experiment), and the formulation and testing of hypotheses (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypotheses).[2] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scientific_method#cite_note-Merriam-Webster-1) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scientific_method


Karl Popper's hypothetico-deductive method (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypothetico-deductive_method) (also known as the method of "conjectures (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conjecture) and refutations") demands falsifiable (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Falsifiability) hypotheses, framed in such a manner that the scientific community can prove them false (usually by observation (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Observation)). According to this view, a hypothesis cannot be "confirmed", because there is always the possibility that a future experiment will show that it is false. Hence, failing to falsify a hypothesis does not prove that hypothesis: it remains provisional. However, a hypothesis that has been rigorously tested and not falsified can form a reasonable basis for action, i.e., we can act as if it is true, until such time as it is falsified. Just because we've never observed rain falling upward, doesn't mean that we never will—however improbable, our theory of gravity may be falsified some day.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypotheses

[RichardLinx]

Semantics...

[V for Vincent]

Sure. The universe is immensely large and ancient. There could easily be other ecosystems where certain species became fit to survive because they were more intelligent. I don't believe that'll ever be relevant to us, but it just seems more plausible given the near-infinite size of the universe (I'm physicist, so don't take that qualifier too literally here).

[inobe]

no proof that intelligent life exists' however we can't disprove it does exist.

so we can bounce around till it's discovered and get absolutely nowhere in the process, a game of opinionated ping pong.

[SunnyRabbiera]

Yes I think there are intelligent life forms in outer space, after all they are intelligent enough to stay from a stupid species like us.

[Exodist]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K3c_y5p7AVM&feature=fvw

You decide!

[inobe]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K3c_y5p7AVM&feature=fvw

You decide!

that seriously looks like a lab blunder splicing strands of monkey dna.

[ctrlmd]

[ N o ]:D

I believe what i see not what i hear .:rolleyes:

[daverich]

It'd be more incredible for there not to be.

That said, we might never know.

The universe is so big that there isn't enough time between the bang and the contraction for anything that happens on one side of the universe to effect the other so civilisations could easily come and go and we'd never know - unless technology provides some magic portal/warp thingy :)


Kind regards

Dave Rich

[Screwdriver0815]

[ N o ]:D

I believe what i see not what i hear .:rolleyes:
short question: do you believe in God or any other religious thing?

speaking generally:

I think (note the difference! not "believe", THINK) that there is intelligent life in outer space. The space is so huge, why should we be the only ones?
If someone says "we are the only ones", this sounds to me like "the earth is the center of the universe and the sun runs around it because the pope, the only representative of God is here, on earth" - like in the middle ages :lolflag:

[NovaAesa]

I don't 'believe' that there is. That said, I do 'believe' that it is incredible likely. So I voted yes.

[ctrlmd]

short question: do you believe in God or any other religious thing?

speaking generally:

I think (note the difference! not "believe", THINK) that there is intelligent life in outer space. The space is so huge, why should we be the only ones?
If someone says "we are the only ones", this sounds to me like "the earth is the center of the universe and the sun runs around it because the pope, the only representative of God is here, on earth" - like in the middle ages :lolflag:
Dont want to switch the topic to something else but with all respect to other religions
i believe in one god & prophet muhammad and yes i can't see him but he prove his existence a lot by his acts, by what said will happen

were aliens didn't. unless The Devils are the only aliens then yes

[Screwdriver0815]

Dont want to switch the topic to something else but with all respect to other religions
i believe in one god & prophet muhammad and yes i can't see him but he prove his existence a lot by his acts, by what said will happen

were aliens didn't. unless The Devils are the only aliens then yes
okay, your opinion. I have a different opinion about this.

Do you mean with


unless The Devils are the only aliens then yes

that if there is life in outer space, it must be evil? If so, why?

[SunnyRabbiera]

okay, your opinion. I have a different opinion about this.

Do you mean with



that if there is life in outer space, it must be evil? If so, why?

I am kinda with you here, whatever is up there might not be evil as I think all the evil concentrates here on earth...
considering the nature of our race

[Screwdriver0815]

I am kinda with you here, whatever is up there might not be evil as I think all the evil concentrates here on earth...
considering the nature of our race
although I agree with you, I did not mean anything like this with my question.

I just want to avoid that I mis-understand the statement of ctrlmd in the first place and second, I would like to know if he thinks that "aliens" are evil. And if yes, what brings him to this opinion.

regarding "aliens, evil or not?" I say: if we ever meet them (which is kind of impossible) we should of course be careful. But to think that they are evil without knowing them is a little bit... strange in my eyes.

[Exodist]

In regards to the whole "big bang" baloney that most of us where taught in school. Its a big miss conception. Over the past few years astronomers and other theoretical physicists have changed their conclusion of the "big bang" theory. Since super massive black-holes have been discovered in every known galaxy using polar shift in in the infrared spectrum. It is now concluded that there is no one big bang, but a multiple array of big bangs happening all over the universe all the time. Much like the lights on a Christmas tree. The original idea of the single Big Bang nonsense was the attempt of the feeble human brain to explain something based on something he didnt fully understand. Their is no "center" of the Universe folks. There has to be a end and beginning for there to be a center. To say there is no other intelligent life in the vast expanse of the universe that is infinite in size only shows you lack of comprehension for something again most humans can not grasp. This is nothing to be ashamed about. Its natural as most human brains do not have the genetic capacity to process this data.

There is life out there somewhere. Will we ever see other life? I dont know. Its a big universe.

Do I think they have been to earth? Sadly yes. I have had one encounter with a flying object. Four other of my friends seen it also. We seen it in a feild less the 100ft from my car we was in. It was silent, it lifted without any noise up into the air. Had many nifty lights on it the were very bright. We followed it as it move about 200-300ft in the air and then watch it jet into space like something out of a scifi movie. Was it aliens? Was it Military aircraft. We dont know. But I want one of those!

So who knows..

[Exodist]

that seriously looks like a lab blunder splicing strands of monkey dna.

Bone structure was originally thought to be of a spider monkey. Further analysis was that it wasnt. DNA testing has shown it does not match any DNA of any known species on earth. So ironically there is a illegal alien in mexico.. :rolleyes:

[Penguin Guy]

I'm having enough trouble finding intelligent life on Earth...
:lolflag: Good point.

[Boom!!!]

Taking into account the size, mass and distance of things outside our solar system it would be a very dim person that says we are the only intelligent life.

We as Humans are limited to our own intelligence by the size of out pre frontal lobes and the size of our brains. in other words compared to other life forms we may be light years behind in development.

[khelben1979]

I voted no.

Although I hope there is and efforts like the seti@home is not a waste, for instance. I want to believe there is, but I don't.

[solitaire]

Intelligent life elsewhere! yup

The real question is "Have they visited earth?" Probably not (unless they have faster than light travel)

Quote:
Ted Arroway (Contact 1997) "...But I guess I'd say if it is just us... seems like an awful waste of space. "

[Paqman]

Like NovaAesa I wouldn't say I believe that intelligent life exists. I just think it's overwhelmingly probable, given what we know about the universe.

[pwnst*r]

Until it's not scientifically proven, I won't believe it.

this^

[KegHead]

most likely.

[fela]

I don't 'believe' in anything, as long as there isn't proof for it. I'm not the type that makes things up to make sense of the world, I'm an atheist.

[forrestcupp]

To all the people who say they won't believe in intelligent life in outer space until it's scientifically proven:

That's kind of a slap in the face to the people on the International Space Station, isn't it? ;)

[Eisenwinter]

To all the people who say they won't believe in intelligent life in outer space until it's scientifically proven:

But that's not what they said.

They said they won't believe until it's NOT scientifically proven, which means, that they DO believe, since it's not scientifically proven.

[toupeiro]

Yes, I do believe intelligent life outside of earth exists.

You know something thats always fascinated me about extra terrestrial intelligent life? The fact that people can so devoutly subscribe to that notion based on overall very loose-knit supportive material, but there's nothing 100% concrete. It takes faith. The same faith it takes a person of spiritual or religious devotion to believe in God, an afterlife, or a greater force over all living things. It's just applied to a different topic.

I don't mean to make this topic about religion and faith, as I don't want to see it closed, but to answer that question one way or another honestly does imply a certain level of faith, or if you really don't like that word, believing in the face of reasonable doubt. The fact is, you cannot answer that question definitely based on the rules of science alone.

[handy]

It takes less than half an hour of web searching to get estimated size, shape, number of galaxies, stars & so on in the this universe.

After that, anyone who thinks that there isn't room for more life in this universe has a very closed set of blinkers on...

The odds that the Earth is the only place where life exists in this universe are astronomically in opposition to the hypothesis.

[Paqman]

The odds that the Earth is the only place where life exists in this universe are astronomically in opposition to the hypothesis.

Exactly.

This is an exciting time to be alive, too. During our lifetimes we'll definitely get answers to the question of how abundant Earth-like planets are in the Universe, and if the spectrographers are to be believed, how many of those show signs of life. I wouldn't hold your breath waiting for evidence of an alien civlisation, though. That one could be a very, very, very long search.

[handy]

If the powers that be, don't find a way to totally destroy the plans for a manned Mars landing; then it is possible that there will be life or remnants of life found on Mars, within the next 30 or so years.

Which will certainly put a ripple through a few existing philosophies held dear by certain groups of humanity.

[venator260]

I am a religious (Christian) person as well. I believe that our God is a sensible being. It doesn't seem sensible that He would have created the entire universe simply to provide humans with a nifty light show at night. Just because the Bible does not mention life on other planets doesn't mean that none exists. That information just wasn't pertinent to the Bible's purpose. The Bible doesn't cover everything, nor does it claim to.

[Methuselah]

Yes, I do believe intelligent life outside of earth exists.

You know something thats always fascinated me about extra terrestrial intelligent life? The fact that people can so devoutly subscribe to that notion based on overall very loose-knit supportive material, but there's nothing 100% concrete. It takes faith. The same faith it takes a person of spiritual or religious devotion to believe in God, an afterlife, or a greater force over all living things. It's just applied to a different topic.

I don't mean to make this topic about religion and faith, as I don't want to see it closed, but to answer that question one way or another honestly does imply a certain level of faith, or if you really don't like that word, believing in the face of reasonable doubt. The fact is, you cannot answer that question definitely based on the rules of science alone.

I was going somewhere similar.
Extraterrestrial life is a constant in myth and religion.
I do think we are not alone but the evidence might be right under our noses rather than light years away.

[handy]

I am a religious (Christian) person as well. I believe that our God is a sensible being. It doesn't seem sensible that He would have created the entire universe simply to provide humans with a nifty light show at night. Just because the Bible does not mention life on other planets doesn't mean that none exists. That information just wasn't pertinent to the Bible's purpose. The Bible doesn't cover everything, nor does it claim to.

As much as many of us would like to debate & expand on the topics religious, we can't as it is against the rules here now, so...

[handy]

I was going somewhere similar.
Extraterrestrial life is a constant in myth and religion.
I do think we are not alone but the evidence might be right under our noses rather than light years away.

I wonder how many other inhabited hosts out there would consider us to be extra<whatever's>?

[argos3016]

Of course.Universe it's enormous, why not?

[Screwdriver0815]

Yes, I do believe intelligent life outside of earth exists.

You know something thats always fascinated me about extra terrestrial intelligent life? The fact that people can so devoutly subscribe to that notion based on overall very loose-knit supportive material, but there's nothing 100% concrete. It takes faith. The same faith it takes a person of spiritual or religious devotion to believe in God, an afterlife, or a greater force over all living things. It's just applied to a different topic.

I don't mean to make this topic about religion and faith, as I don't want to see it closed, but to answer that question one way or another honestly does imply a certain level of faith, or if you really don't like that word, believing in the face of reasonable doubt. The fact is, you cannot answer that question definitely based on the rules of science alone.

oh yes, you can answer this based just on the rules of science. Its simply a matter of probability.
The universe is so huge, that our earth is just a grain of sand in all this (from the scale-perspective).
So it is very very unlikely that there is no other life out there.

Maybe it has something to do with faith, but I do not believe in any religion or spiritual stuff. So for me it is just a matter of science and my engineering skills tell me that - with this amount of space and the huge number of galaxies in the universe - the probability of life anywhere out there is very high.


It takes less than half an hour of web searching to get estimated size, shape, number of galaxies, stars & so on in the this universe.

After that, anyone who thinks that there isn't room for more life in this universe has a very closed set of blinkers on...

The odds that the Earth is the only place where life exists in this universe are astronomically in opposition to the hypothesis.

I agree 100%!

[j.bell730]

In my history class, we got into talking about ancient Greek philosophers. The discussion of whether intelligent life exists outside the Earth started up. He asked us the question, and then used inductive reasoning to convince us. He then asked us who believes that the universe is infinite. Almost all raised their hands. So, the reasoning went as follows:

The universe is infinite
There are infinite planets in an infinite area
Possible planetary configurations must also be infinite for an infinite number of planets

Thus, it's not unreasonable to assume that, from an infinite number of possibilities, there could be intelligent life on many of them.

[JDShu]

To everybody who is saying that it is incredibly probable that life exists somewhere outside earth because of how huge the universe is, I don't think you are looking at both sides of the equation.

Have you thought about how improbable life existing in a single place is? Scientists are often amazed by the intricate workings of life on earth.

Hence, the probability of life existing on a planet somewhere might be 1/n whereas there might be only n-1 planets in the universe for example. Of course the opposite could be true as well.

[BigCityCat]

I do but I think all intelligent life is confined by time and space. Meaning we or them could not travel the distance required in the amount of time we have to live to ever experience each others company.

[chucky chuckaluck]

every alien i've ever talked to has been a complete imbecile, so no, i don't believe there are intelligent life forms in outer space.

[HappinessNow]

every alien i've ever talked to has been a complete imbecile, so no, i don't believe there are intelligent life forms in outer space.Maybe your hanging out with the wrong aliens?

[chucky chuckaluck]

Maybe your hanging out with the wrong aliens?

well, mother did warn me...

[t0p]

In regards to the whole "big bang" baloney that most of us where taught in school. Its a big miss conception. Over the past few years astronomers and other theoretical physicists have changed their conclusion of the "big bang" theory. Since super massive black-holes have been discovered in every known galaxy using polar shift in in the infrared spectrum. It is now concluded that there is no one big bang, but a multiple array of big bangs happening all over the universe all the time. Much like the lights on a Christmas tree. The original idea of the single Big Bang nonsense was the attempt of the feeble human brain to explain something based on something he didnt fully understand. Their is no "center" of the Universe folks. There has to be a end and beginning for there to be a center.r

What a confused lot of nonsense! You say the Big Bang has been abandoned. By whom? Then you talk of "polar shift in the infrared spectrum" being used to prove the existence of "super massive black holes" everywhere. You clearly have no idea what polar shift actually is, otherwise you would not have written such a statement.

I'm not saying the Big Bang theory is correct, nor that it's wrong. I'm not qualified to make an informed judgement. And I somehow doubt you are either. However, I can say if I believe in the theory. And I will believe in it until a more convincing hypothesis is proposed.

As for your statement that an infinite universe can have no centre - of course it can!. There is nothing contradictory in an infinite universe being measurable and having a centre. Surely you have heard that the infinite universe is expanding? Or is that another theory you choose to disbelieve?

As for the question on intelligent life elsewhere in the universe: I would guess that there is such life somewhere. But the inability of anything to travel faster than light will probably stop us from ever meeting the extraterrestrials. Still, we might find evidence of their existence. Or we may all die feeling alone.

[HappinessNow]

well, mother did warn me...

All the aliens I associate with are really quite elegant. :P

[fela]

To all the people who say they won't believe in intelligent life in outer space until it's scientifically proven:

That's kind of a slap in the face to the people on the International Space Station, isn't it? ;)

Would you call 479km above sea level outer space?