EVERY SO often astronomers come up with a supposedly tantalising new discovery out in deep space.
Most recently it was announced they might have detected the light from some of the earliest stars to form in the universe.
Apparently, that’s evidence of very faint galaxies that shone more than 13 billion years ago.
The scientists are all getting in a right tizz about the latest findings – though hardly anyone else is.
What most of us want to know from astronomers and scientists is this: “Are we humans alone in the universe or are there other intelligent forms of life out there?�
But because of the way the above-mentioned subject has been treated over the past half century (rubbishy US sci-fi films, claims of abduction by aliens, UFO conspiracy theories, and wild theories about alleged government contacts, cover-ups, and alien autopsies) it is not a subject that is treated seriously in mainstream culture.
However, I think the subject of whether we have neighbours on other worlds ought to be taken most seriously. In reality, some scientists, philosophers and theologians do so.
I am not saying that I definitely, absolutely believe that intelligent extra-terrestrial beings exist, but, given the vastness of the universe, I feel that is extremely likely that they do.
And anyway, it seems to me that the error-prone science that’s been formed by our boffins here on Earth is a very poor body of knowledge and research tools for enquiry into this most fascinating subject facing humanity.
Within our world, Earth-bound physics – despite its claims to universal laws – has often failed us and led us up blind alleys.
The truth is out there, all right, but its rules are unlikely to be written by this planet’s scientists. (Let’s call them, collectively, Nerdsville.)
It’s much more likely that Masters of Knowledge on smarter worlds than ours will have more of the correct answers to life, the universe and everything.
Actually, I do earnestly hope there are intelligent beings out there keeping an eye on our maddeningly beautiful, often poetic and often violently destructive race.
In my bones I feel that the world - with all its squalid little wars, parochial ideological struggles, and general environmental degradation - is becoming too small for us.
There is every chance that humanity would benefit from contact with intelligent aliens. We might learn from them how to advance our civilisation.
At the very least, we’d be in for a rollicking good adventure.
So, you ET guys, whenever you’re ready, bring it on!
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The History Man wrote...
There are 100 000 000 000 stars in our Milky Way Galaxy and there are at least as many galaxies in the observable universe. That's more than the number of sand grains that used to be on New Brighton Beach!
Is anyone serious in thinking we are alone in the universe?
Personally I'd like to live in the Babylon 5 universe - a US Science Fiction TV program that IMHO is the best visual SciFi ever made. See this:
http://www.midwinter.com/lurk/lurker.html
If you need enlightening.
The History Man
REGAN REPLIES:Ta very much, I'll have a look at that link
Posted by: The History Man | July 12, 2007 6:05 PM