Posted on 03/13/2007 9:12:19 AM PDT by Condor 63
Is there anybody out there? Give the question some thought before you answer, because it’s more perilous than it seems. Deny the possibility of a universe populated with intelligent extraterrestrials that can speak and mate and battle with humanity, and the science-fiction canon collapses; more than a century’s worth of novels, from “The War of the Worlds” to “Old Man’s War,” would find their speculative foundations swept out from underneath them. But admit to a sincere belief in the remotest potential for alien life, and prepare to be fitted for a straitjacket; a recent survey conducted by Baylor University found that more Americans believe in ancient civilizations like the lost continent of Atlantis than in U.F.O.’s.
If intelligent humans think the existence of aliens is a perplexing notion, the idea that a small group of astronomers and physicists are attempting to determine if aliens exist is even more so. To the uninitiated and the ignorant (and those of us who fall into both camps), the science of SETI, the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence, is as inscrutable as the phenomenon it seeks
Surprisingly, the science-fiction community (which knows a thing or two about being misunderstood and dismissed) is not unequivocally supportive of SETI’s work.
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
all I got to say is that If we are the only intelligent life in the universe its an INCREDIBLE WASTE OF SPACE, and really I don't think God is the wasteful.
If we are the only intelligent life then all of the immensity of creation isn't a waste of space IMO - it just goes to show in what high regard God holds us.
Carl Sagan Quote:
We live on a tiny hunk of rock and metal, third from the sun, that circles a humdrum star in the obscure outskirts of an ordinary galaxy which contains some 400 billion other stars which is one of about a hundred billion other galaxies that make up the universe and according to some current views a universe that is one among an immense number perhaps an infinite number of other universes.
In this perspective, the idea that our planet is at the center of the universe much less that human purpose is central to the existence of the universe is pathetic.
Some would argue the exact opposite. The time (Lorentz) dilation of special relativity means that even the farthest reaches of the universe can be explored and colonized within the lifetime of an ordinary human willing to leave the nest. The speed limit of c is only from the perspective of those left behind.
The universe is vast, but it could all belong to us if we would just grow up and take it.
science fiction ping.
As for the worries about all the best rocks being at least 30 odd generations travel distance - that is just an engineering problem! 
Of course, we could end up destroying ourselves in the next 1000 years, or, worse, all end up hippies in togas eating tofu and sucking on stones trying to minimize our entropy (forget about carbon footprints - the eco-nazis of the future are going to be concerned about not speeding up the heat-death of the universe).
Carl Sagan was a human creature--his opinion is as valid as the next guy's.
Meanwhile, the Bible is rather clear in making Man's creation the climax of Creation. From the writings, it seems that all other things were spoken into existence--from the angels on down. In contrast, God molded man from the dirt.
Unless it already belongs to somebody else....
Although there is LOT of speculation over whether hyperspace even exists, and if it does, whether light travels faster than in the ordinary dimensions, and if that pans out, whether a hyperdrive is feasible, it could happen.
I know of one science fiction mythos that works without aliens and without faster-than-light drive - Joss Whedon's "Firefly." Everyone else I can think of follows the Star Trek/Star Wars model of humans interacting with aliens.
"In this perspective, the idea that our planet is at the center of the universe much less that human purpose is central to the existence of the universe is pathetic."
Still, the Earth is a very special place when you consider all the numerous conditions that must be nearly perfect to support complex life.
You can apply that to your belief system or not, but it is undeniable, the Earth is special.
May all the races we eventually encounter share your opinion.
Semantically, it should be pointed out that "special" is not "unique." So ryan71's point still stands. Even if there are extraterrestrials (minus angels and God) out there, Earth would still be special, even if there were other special planets.
Uh huh. And if the notion of macro-evolution collapses, the vast majority of science fiction is rendered unpublishable or unrepublishable.
"perhaps an infinite number of other universes. "
That has to be the dumbest quote Saga ever made.
He only used this rationalization because he was backed into a corner. The chances of life being possible on earth are so mathematically small that you have to assume that the number of total universes must be enormous.
This way there is no creator and the mathematics are still satisfied.
Many still read War of the Worlds today, although a lot of the stuff in it is "bunk."
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