Kay : It’s a universal translator. We’re not even supposed to have it. I’ll tell you why. Human thought is so primitive it’s looked upon as an infectious disease in some of the better galaxies. That kind of makes you proud, doesn’t it?
In Isaac Asimov’s short story “Silly Asses”, representatives from the Galactic Federation fly to Earth to let them know of their admittance as humans have learned to use nuclear power. When they find out that power is being used to make weapons, they turn around and go home. The captain laments, “Silly asses”.
Jor-El: Live as one of them, Kal-El, to discover where your strength and your power are needed. But always hold in your heart the pride of your special heritage. They can be a great people, Kal-El, they wish to be. They only lack the light to show the way. For this reason above all, their capacity for good, I have sent them you.
[cut to seventy-two years later]
Kal-El: Dad, this really isn’t working out. Can I come home now?
(Apologies to Superman: character created by Jerry Seigel and Joe Shuster – 1938; 1978 screenplay by Mario Puzo, David Newman, Leslie Newman, and Robert Benton {Warner Brothers}.)
Shoe’s right. According to the Star Trek storyline, the Vulcans didn’t think to make contact until we showed we had warp speed capability. In almost every other storyline, the aliens contact us to conquer us, destroy us, or eat us. Maybe, being left alone ain’t so bad.
Sending signals into space to look for intelligent life is a big mistake. The highest probability for intelligence must be in the oldest galaxies. As each solar system ages every planet is inevitably doomed to become uninhabitable, by their star’s expansion or the loss of their magnetic core, or other self destructive activity. It is therefore inevitable that the most intelligent beings are likely to be the most in need of a new home.
Actually, the latest theory is that any civilization advanced enough for interstellar communication destroys itself long before making alien contact. Seems about right to me.
Bit of a stretch to think they would be speaking English. Just as we have trouble understanding a fish.. we will have similar problems understanding alien’s.
The problem is money. If an alien civilization is anything like ours, they will figure out that it costs a million times more to send a detectable signal than to listen for one. So, because of all the accountants in the universe, we are all sitting around … listening.
Seeing as how some might be looking through a telescope on a snowy night it speaks to the human (in this case snarky bird) condition. Personally, I would prefer a clear night.
I Mad Am I almost 4 years ago
I think “Men In Black” (1997) said it the best -
Kay : It’s a universal translator. We’re not even supposed to have it. I’ll tell you why. Human thought is so primitive it’s looked upon as an infectious disease in some of the better galaxies. That kind of makes you proud, doesn’t it?
gopher gofer almost 4 years ago
if there were life forms on other planets they’d probably be searching for signs of intelligent beings…
pauljmsn almost 4 years ago
If I were an alien, I wouldn’t contact us. Have you seen the trash we left on the Moon and Mars?
littlejohn Premium Member almost 4 years ago
They didn’t want to listen to the Senators welcoming speech. Or eat at Roz’s fine dinning establishment.
scote1379 Premium Member almost 4 years ago
They All turn away in Discuss muttering and Shaking their Head ( s )
byamrcn almost 4 years ago
Nope.
rshive almost 4 years ago
The postal routes don’t mesh.
PICTO almost 4 years ago
On the other plants we are the aliens…
Frog-on-a-Log Premium Member almost 4 years ago
Nope.
e.groves almost 4 years ago
Who’s to say that they haven’t?
JohnRitz almost 4 years ago
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fermi_paradox
eastern.woods.metal almost 4 years ago
Proof that there’s no intelligent life here is who we elect.
WaitingMan almost 4 years ago
In Isaac Asimov’s short story “Silly Asses”, representatives from the Galactic Federation fly to Earth to let them know of their admittance as humans have learned to use nuclear power. When they find out that power is being used to make weapons, they turn around and go home. The captain laments, “Silly asses”.
UpaCoCoCreek Premium Member almost 4 years ago
They have contacted us, but we didn’t taste very good!
Bookworm almost 4 years ago
Jor-El: Live as one of them, Kal-El, to discover where your strength and your power are needed. But always hold in your heart the pride of your special heritage. They can be a great people, Kal-El, they wish to be. They only lack the light to show the way. For this reason above all, their capacity for good, I have sent them you.
[cut to seventy-two years later]
Kal-El: Dad, this really isn’t working out. Can I come home now?
(Apologies to Superman: character created by Jerry Seigel and Joe Shuster – 1938; 1978 screenplay by Mario Puzo, David Newman, Leslie Newman, and Robert Benton {Warner Brothers}.)
carlzr almost 4 years ago
If Shoe is using a telescope he is probably looking in girls’ windows.
preacherman Premium Member almost 4 years ago
Shoe’s right. According to the Star Trek storyline, the Vulcans didn’t think to make contact until we showed we had warp speed capability. In almost every other storyline, the aliens contact us to conquer us, destroy us, or eat us. Maybe, being left alone ain’t so bad.
Linguist almost 4 years ago
“Beam me up, Scotty. There’s no intelligent life down here.”
Geophyzz almost 4 years ago
Sending signals into space to look for intelligent life is a big mistake. The highest probability for intelligence must be in the oldest galaxies. As each solar system ages every planet is inevitably doomed to become uninhabitable, by their star’s expansion or the loss of their magnetic core, or other self destructive activity. It is therefore inevitable that the most intelligent beings are likely to be the most in need of a new home.
DCBakerEsq almost 4 years ago
Actually, the latest theory is that any civilization advanced enough for interstellar communication destroys itself long before making alien contact. Seems about right to me.
Alberta Oil Premium Member almost 4 years ago
Bit of a stretch to think they would be speaking English. Just as we have trouble understanding a fish.. we will have similar problems understanding alien’s.
mistercatworks almost 4 years ago
The problem is money. If an alien civilization is anything like ours, they will figure out that it costs a million times more to send a detectable signal than to listen for one. So, because of all the accountants in the universe, we are all sitting around … listening.
wlbr549 almost 4 years ago
Amen, Shoe! Amen!
AnnChovie almost 4 years ago
Seeing as how some might be looking through a telescope on a snowy night it speaks to the human (in this case snarky bird) condition. Personally, I would prefer a clear night.
RabbitDad almost 4 years ago
Ever notice that when WE are looking for intelligent life in the universe, the telescopes are pointed AWAY from Earth?
chain gang charlie almost 4 years ago
It’s going to another long, long year…
t_win27 almost 4 years ago
It’s not like we’re not in the phone book!
mwlyons1955 Premium Member almost 4 years ago
Too bad you can’t get a print of this one.