Alien Ideas: Christianity and the Search for Extraterrestrial Life

CRISIS magazine via CERC ^ | BENJAMIN D. WIKER

[Valin]

Physicists (and most scientists) are generally of the belief that we're well on the way to having discovered a great portion of all that there is to discover.

Wasn't it back in the 19th century that there was talk about closing down the patent office because because most everything had been invented?

[Physicist]

This is a very interesting graphic that shows the extent to which we've searched the universe for alien civilizations. Earth-like radio emissions represent the bottom edge of the graph; as you can see, we haven't even begun to search for them. As for civilizations that have transmitters the size of our largest dish (Arecibo) transmitting directly at us, we've only searched thoroughly out to about 100 light years. The galaxy is 100,000 light years across, and we live in a portion of it that is somewhat more rarefied than average.

[For reference, a "Type I" civilization would be roughly capable of transmitting a signal equivalent to all of the sunlight striking the Earth, 2x10¹⁷ Watts. A "Type II" civilization would be roughly capable of sending a signal equivalent to the power of the sun, 4x10²⁶ Watts. (I believe the canonical signal limits for these civilizations are given as 10¹⁶ Watts and 10²⁶ Watts.)]

[KevinDavis]

That is true.. It is going to be more like B5 than Star Trek.

[yendu bwam]

Wasn't it back in the 19th century that there was talk about closing down the patent office because because most everything had been invented?

After umbrella shoes (which were supposed to let you float down from high windows in buildings), there really wasn't much point in going any further!

[yendu bwam]

That is true.. It is going to be more like B5 than Star Trek.

I know the Trekkies will flame me, but Star Trek is much more fiction than science fiction.

[js1138]

Indeed. But I'd bet that life is common in the universe - based partly on intuition, and on the early start to life on this planet.

Some folks think the collision that created the moon also created the early atmosphere and conditions that made the start of life possible -- a rare if not unique event.

Also, the size of the moon stabilizes the earth's rotation on its axis, making seasons relatively stable -- a major factor in the particular history of life on earth.

I'm betting that planets with our particular history are rare, and I'm speculating that life without our particular history will be "primative" if it exists at all.

[yendu bwam]

Very interesting and eye-opening graphic. We have a long way to go on the SETI search!

[Physicist]

Physicists (and most scientists) are generally of the belief that we're well on the way to having discovered a great portion of all that there is to discover.

I tell you flatly that I've never met a SINGLE physicist who has maintained anything of the kind. I did once meet a chemist who said this, and I found it shocking. I have met several laypeople who have held this belief.

I believe that a complete and correct theory of particle physics is possible in my lifetime. That is not to say that a complete and correct theory of anything means that there is nothing left to learn about it, or nothing left to invent with it. In fact, having a good understanding of something is often a prerequisite to doing something really useful with it.

[PatrickHenry]

That portion of the universe which I personally have explored is teaming with life.

[js1138]

As long as we're number one, of course.

I'm sure that if we are not Number One, our generals will soon have a plan to make us number one. Since we will, no doubt, all be Muslims in a few decades, we will have at our disposal the Theologically Guided Missile.

[My2Cents]

I see you tongue firmly planted in your cheek, but it wouldn't be the first time that someone has suggested that the left is in league with the forces of Satan.

[js1138]

The galaxy is 100,000 light years across, and we live in a portion of it that is somewhat more rarefied than average.

But is life (as we know it) possible in the denser portions of the galaxy?

[Valin]

I did once meet a chemist who said this, and I found it shocking.

Proof that intelligence doesn't prevent someone from being an idiot.
Stupidity is an equal opportunity trait.

[Valin]

life (as we know it)

Ever read any David Brin?

[Physicist]

But is life (as we know it) possible in the denser portions of the galaxy?

I myself am not wedded to carbon-based, cellular life forms, if that's what you mean. I see no reason to posit that a civilization is more likely in a place where we ourselves would be more comfortable. Besides, if we found an intelligent signal in the "dead zone", we wouldn't disregard it on the grounds of location.

[Physicist]

Proof that intelligence doesn't prevent someone from being an idiot.

It's worse than you paint it. Look at all the scientists who are flaming lefties. Stephen Hawking thinks that Al Gore would have made a good President.

[js1138]

I myself am not wedded to carbon-based, cellular life forms, if that's what you mean.

I read Fred Hoyle's Black Cloud many decades ago, and have never considered our life forms the only ones possible. However, I'll believe in the reality of alternatives when we see them. In the meantime, back on earth, I will not be shocked if my great-great grandchildren have minds made of transistors. Surprised, but not shocked.

[Physicist]

However, I'll believe in the reality of alternatives when we see them.

That's no biggie, since we were already deep into believe-it-when-I-see-it territory the moment we started talking about extraterrestrial civilizations.

In the meantime, back on earth, I will not be shocked if my great-great grandchildren have minds made of transistors.

And I'll be downright disappointed if I can't get myself one of those, someday.

[PatrickHenry]

I myself am not wedded to carbon-based, cellular life forms ...

And yet, your new baby could easily pass as terrestrial.

[CCCnative]

Reasons.com has a video dedicated to explaining rUFO's (residual UFOs or those for which, unlike 95% of others, have no natural or man-made explanation) in terms of 'extra-dementional' or spiritual beings. Very interesting.