Are we alone in the universe?

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We don't know that it is mathematically impossible, but IF the only prerequisite for life is a certain arrangement of objects in a certain state AND the universe is infinite AND laws and conditions elsewhere in the universe are the same as here (this is our working assumption, called the Cosmological Principle, and it does appear to work, but we don't know for sure) THEN it's mathematically impossible that that arrangement doesn't exist elsewhere.

However, if the universe is merely very big - if, say, it's ninety billion light years across, or whatever the size of the observable universe is - then there are certain things which while they would be bound to happen in a truly infinite universe are unlikely to occur before everything dies a slow heat death. For instance, it's possible (I believe) that a small pot plant might spontaneously spring into existence from the vacuum above our heads, but the amount of quantum unlikeliness that'd have to go on is simply never going to occur, even in a universe the size of the one we see; it would have to be much larger.


That's the point. We do not know that the universe is infinite. We know that it is very large, but it is not so large that it must contain extremely improbable things.

Yes, I believe there is other intelligent life somewhere in the universe. I base this on the vast number of other solar systems. There are bound to be many planets that are hospitable for life in my opinion.

The big question is, "Can we find these civilization(s)? Or for that matter---any type of life out there? It seems that it will require us to travel considerable distances that now seem impossible. If that is indeed impossible, then we should wait and listen. Perhaps some other civilization with far advanced technology will find us. Perhaps they already have.

What if an alien race found us. How would they be treated by our governments? Imagine an alien space ship landing on earth in whatever country you live in. Your military would likely be the first on the scene as radar would have tracked this unfamiliar probe. Would we roll out a red carpet of velvet---or a red carpet of blood?

I think so, but can we really prove that we're alive? Really, I doubt we have a really good understanding of what living is. I am not certain what about us is so unique that you could use it to discriminate ourselves to say that we exist as independent entities while something else is just a process. I must admit I can rather ignorant but the whole thing can become rather muddled in my mind.

I would imagine that a specie capable of traveling faster than light would have the capacity to understand exactly how our brains function before making any contact, and would be able to simulate or replicate our minds to determine exactly how we would react under any circumstance. Come to think of it, that would leave them with little reason to actually contact us.