Alien VS. Human intelligence

It's a brilliant explanation for why SETI is a wanton waste of money that could go to better purpose.

I'm a big sci-fi fan but why anyone would want to contact an alien species sight and agenda unknown eludes me entirely.
That they seem to be under the impression that although we can't even communicate with each other without a war breaking out we can somehow find peace and enlightment from an alien lifeform just makes me laugh.
 
I think the higher purpose - the NEED - for humans is to know that they aren't alone in the universe. You can throw all the science you want at the question, but it probably reaches beyond science - it gets into metaphysics.

But when we finally DO make contact (because I'm pretty sure we will, some day) it might be like "Earth? You stepped in Earth?!? EWWWWW!!! Wipe your shoes!!!"
 
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SifuPhil said:
I think the higher purpose - the NEED - for humans is to know that they aren't alone in the universe. You can throw all the science you want at the question, but it probably reaches beyond science - it gets into metaphysics.

But when we finally DO make contact (because I'm pretty sure we will, some day) it might be like "Earth? You stepped in Earth?!? EWWWWW!!! Wipe your shoes!!!"
Click to expand...

All of the above.

We already live on a planet with umpteen other species and hasn't that gone well?

Why can't we communicate with them? Because we're too smart for them, or because we have no common interest to discuss?
Why would a dolphin for example need to communicate? It doesn't give a toss about the stock market or Miley Cyrus, it doesn't need to 'evolve' beyond the level that perfectly suits it's lifestyle. It doesn't have any use for ours, and nor do we have any knowledge to impart that would do it the slightest bit of good.

Chimps don't need rocket science. Whales don't need Facebook. Parrots can talk, Dogs understand us but neither have the physical form to make use of our technology or need of our much vaunted philosophies either. They don't need to learn to count, they don't need cash.

Pressure drives evolution, the necessity to adapt to changing circumstances. We were least fit to survive physically when the habitat was changing and so evolved mentally to overcome our limitations. Nothing special. Nothing divine or supernatural, just fitting into a niche. Our niche is highly unlikely to suit any other species, alien or not. No need to communicate about what is of no use or no interest.

If the only thing we have in common with an alien species is space travel technology then they're hardly likely to be stupid enough teach us how to get to their home to do to them what we've done to our fellow Terran species.

I think we need to come to terms with the Universe and our place in it and grow up.

I've come to view the human race as being at around the 'Lord of the Flies' stage of development.
Old enough to feed ourselves, but still at the default setting of using violence to solve disputes. Full of our own importance and species status but still desperately yearning and searching for an 'adult' to step in and take charge. Just like young adolescents.


Hence religion. ... and SETI.
 

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