8 years ago
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Are we looking for ET all wrong?
Is looking for radio transmissions in space like claiming the lack of smoke signals means there are no modern humans? “[W]hat Fermi immediately realized was that the aliens have had more than enough time to pepper the Galaxy with their presence. But looking around, he didn’t see any clear indication that they’re out and about. This prompted Fermi to ask what was (to him) an obvious question: ‘where is everybody?’”
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I always feel that when we truly understand alien intelligence, we will find it here on Earth. We're genetically cousins with the Great Apes, and we're still unable to recognize they are sentient... How are we supposed to apprehend sapient beings who evolved through millions of years in an absolutely alien environment?
Another example is ant supercolonies. For all intents and purposes, this is an intelligent eusocial organism, yet we're so, so far removed from even being able to communicate with them, and that's with having them right here under our nose. Ant colonies learn and adapt through a form of trial and error that is incompatible with the scientific method, in the sense that it doesn't require hypothesis or understanding of the test. It works by virtue of being successful.
I think that the day we can discuss with an ant supercolony, we'll be ready to tackle the alien intelligence problem. Because I guarantee you, they won't look like us with pointy ears.
Now that Twitter is out there we are bound to attract some sentient beings, provided they are following the Kardashians.
And let's hope they have a sense of humor, or we are doomed! Of course, if they follow the Kardasians they are already doomed!