Are we alone in the universe: should this question be asked?

8/20/2016

2,837 views

Science Story: Are we alone in the universe: should this question be asked?

The number of potentially habitable planets found by earthly astronomers is growing. They vary in size and distance to their stars, and life can theoretically originate on any of them...

...but should we be looking for extraterrestrial life? Is it wise or dangerous? Are we ready for such an acquaintance? Do we, actually, need it?

There are different opinions on this controversial matter, and the scientists of Earth are faced with a problem: they have to decide for everyone. The destiny of humankind depends heavily on space exploration and cosmology, and if one day life elsewhere in the universe is found, this discovery will affect every earthling. So, what is to be done?

Let's watch this beautiful video and try to find out the answers together.

And what is your opinion on this? Did you find this video useful? Do you have any interesting ideas? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!

#Science #Society

What are your thoughts on this subject?

80 Comments

Dea Addis

It is incredibly egotistical to think that we are alone with the sheer size of our universe. I suspect we will discover extraterrestrial life forms sooner rather than later.

Rachel Markham

Not everything we CAN do is something we SHOULD do, and this proves that point. I would vote for "them" to find us and not us go looking for "them". Our world is in such chaos right now that I would not guarantee that they would see our invitation to visit us as a good thing! "They" might see us as fraudulent advertising !

Player

If those from space are smart enough to travel through space: they should be smart enough to not visit earth. We are messed up!

Virginia Burns

I think they are waiting for us to grow up!

Al Ruttan

I hate to say this but I can not believe that we are the only life form in the universe. If they are intelligent enough to have space travel as in sci fi movies and they truly came to earth with peaceful intent I know the first response from earth would be to shoot first, in particular if they landed in the U.S.A. they would not even be given a chance to say "Live long and prosper."

Frank Travaline

Dea Addis, life exist out there, whether or not it is anything like us in another question.

Richard Adams

Good luck in the winter.elfmaster,

Robert Mookerdum

Life elsewhere ??? If we humans living side by side cannot tolerate and respect each other,what is the point of looking for life elsewhere? The soil here in Europe is not yet fully dry from the blood shed by the millions of innocent lives and yet presently we are a hair's breadth away of saturating it further.What is there more to say?

Jim Mascair

I'm sure that when we venture into space, we will find both benevolent and hostile lifeforms.

elfmaster

Right now there is talk by at least three billionaires about colonizing Mars. Even if we can get to Mars, it will be many decades before it can be terraformed enough to support human life. If ever. We would be much better off trying to save the one planet we are on. Also, only the very richest among us will be able to afford any trip to Mars, (which will be a one way trip) while the rest of us will be left on a dying planet.

Beth Mac Watters

So informative, we need to find other inhabitable planets for the day when ours is no longer

Peter Robertson

Dea Addis, I've heard this before. I've been told we are arrogant to think we are alone.! Like,who cares? If they are there,they won't,and if they're not,well let me say again,who the heck cares! You can think what you like about this,but I understand this is a reasonable scenario. Half the scientists think there may be life out there,but won't be surprised if we never find it.The other half think there is probably no life out there,but won't be surprised if we find it. I am one of the latter,so shall we wait and see and not cast aspersions on people who are commenting and an argument that may never have a conclusion

Peter Stocks

It is religion that as ballsed our planet up, what other planeteer is going to swing into the earths messed up way of life, what a joke?

gregjoan

We need to learn how to get along with each other as human beings. It's good to be curious about life on other planets but we need to be extremely careful about finding other lifeforms. We need to remember that some lifeforms will not have our best interests in mind. Also remember that our immune systems may not have resistance to whatever life form we come in contact with...

Nina Greco Clyde

Given that space is infinite and all possible combinations of actions and reactions can exist the exact action that took place to create life on earth can happen elsewhere. The old infinite monkeys and infinite typewriter phenomenon.

Earl Bruce Morrison

Jim Rivera, maybe we're not worth the risk of contact.

Earl Bruce Morrison

I believe there is life on other planets, and our planet has been visited in the past. If that has happened, they are likely more advanced than us. If we continue to survive, what will humankind be like in another 5,000 years? On the other hand, in my 82 years, I've noticed a dip I our development. We remain fragile, and always will.