Is it a worthy quest to find life else where in the universe even if it's a micr

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   RavenBikerposted 12 years ago

   Is it a worthy quest to find life else where in the universe even if it's a microbe?
   
   Mankind has mostly alsways beleived that we are alone in the Universe and that the Earth is the center of Creation.  Would discovery of life forms else where in the Universe change the course of human history, religious faith or will do nothing to the betterment of humanity?  What would change for you if anything?
   
   

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   ThompsonPenposted 12 years ago

   I believe so. Mainly because I believe we should be exploring all we can in order to learn all we can. The problem though is if we actually do find life, how will we respond to it? If it's scientists seeking life for the sake of learning and discovering, I think that we would do quite well. If the government were to get involved, which of course it would, then there would be trouble. But I am more referring to if we were to find the sort of life which would have its own culture. I could see it getting exploited, and resources drained and territory unrightfully claimed, as it has happened so many times in history. The other thing to consider would be what kind of influence would we have on another culture not on this earth and not to the point of distance travel themselves? Are we as species mature enough to meet another culture without manipulating it?
   If we were to find microbes, they could be equally tricky. Once again, science for the sake of science might be alright. Though, they do say that curiosity killed the cat, and without knowing what that microbe represents or is capable of, it could bring a negative impact to earth, much like bringing a non-native invasive species to an area can.
   Then again, the opposite of all that could be said. We could embrace a new culture, new views of the universe and learn more peaceful ways and new and intriguing sciences! It could be an exciting an amazing opportunity.
   The search for life though isn't just about finding life for the sake of life. Finding life on another planet would mean the possibility of a matching Goldie-Locks planet like ours. I our rules for being able to exist are universal, then a planet like that would mean another place for us to live since it would have water and be at a spot in the solar system where it wouldn't be too hot or too cold.
   People are waking up to the over-population issue, but aren't responding fast enough, and we are running out of space and resources on this planet. Another planet, especially one close enough for us to get to would mean a solution, if only temporary.

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   Larry Fieldsposted 12 years ago

   The discovery and retrieval of alien mirror-image cyanobacteria and/or plant life could have useful applications in biotech. If the quarantine procedures were adequate! Otherwise annoying the Klingons would be the least of our worries. I have written a currently Zzz hub that speculates about both scenarios.

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   lone77starposted 12 years ago

   Microbes? Boring!
   
   Personally, I believe the universe is teeming with life, but not intelligent life.
   
   Earth or humanity at the center is merely ego flexing it's "muscle."
   
   Finding alien life does nothing to my religious faith. I know I am a spiritual being and child of God. Nothing can shake that.
   
   But there's so much more to learn.
   
   Frankly, I'd love to have my own starship. And I'd love to find other civilizations out there, but I seriously wonder if there are any, even in this broad and wonderful universe with billions of stars per galaxy and billions of known galaxies.

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      RavenBikerposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Interesting desire, lone77star, a starship!  Perhaps finding other civilizations should strengthen one's faith as opposed to destroying it.

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   DeanMcDonnellposted 12 years ago

   These are silly questions..
   Finding a living entity, even a microbe, on another planet/moon would change EVERYTHING!!! In my opinion.
   
   Works of Science Fiction are incredibly interesting when it comes to this area of thought.. Im reading a book at the moment by Arthur Clarke called "Childhood's End", while i'm not enjoying it as much as Orson Scott Cards 'Enderverse', Clarke's Ideas are solid. He mentions the way the Greek/Roman Gods, Norse Gods, etc, all became less and less followed upon the arrival of different ideals..
   
   What I think will happen is, if life is found that is either;
   
   A) More advanced and intelligent than us - Society will conform to them in certain ways, not consider them as deities but follow them regardless.. We may try to persuade them we are not as primitive as we are, perhaps by pushing technology and science R&D, wars may stop as we'll be afraid that the "aliens" will try take over... etc
   
   B) Less advanced and intelligent than us - Society will try make the "aliens" conform to us! If we tried to force a religion on them the entire world population would likely start a global holy war, "my religion is the best", etc etc..,  Think of the movie District 9, Humans oppressed the Aliens, i'm pretty sure that would happen.

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      RavenBikerposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Silly questions are questions not asked.  Further, your senarios raising a bigger question: Is humankind ready to discover life other than the ones here on earth?  Are we compassionate enough?

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      DeanMcDonnellposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      "Silly questions are questions not asked" - I agree! , there's no such thing as a silly question.. I put that there for humour(!).
      
      I really don't think we're ready.. I don't really believe in UFO sightings but, it would make a bit of sense!

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   whonunuwhoposted 12 years ago

   There are many reasons to search for other life forms in the realms of space as well as our own oceans, that have not been thoroughly researched. The quest for E.T. life and discoveries of new planets and possible helps to our own needs, are certainly in the forefront in the activity. The huge cost is so detrimental to our economy right now,private enterprises have joined in the search. The fact that there is most likely other life forms is widely accepted , not only by scientists in the fields of astronomy and life sciences, but by the citizenry in most countries around the planet. I believe that there will never be any major effects on religious beliefs, but more of a supporting, that there is a creator of other worlds besides our own.

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