Buzz
The idea that we might not be the only intelligent beings in the universe is a mystery that captivates many. While there’s no definitive proof, the likelihood of advanced life existing elsewhere is high, making the topic both scientifically intriguing and a rich source of imaginative exploration. However, when we try to picture what such life might look like or how it might behave, we often fall into the trap of anthropomorphism—projecting human traits onto these hypothetical beings. These assumptions, often subconscious, are heavily influenced by how aliens are portrayed in movies, books, and other media, where relatability and storytelling convenience often overshadow scientific accuracy. In a multiverse scenario, every conceivable form of life could exist or will exist at some point. But for the sake of discussion, let’s imagine humanity is about to encounter a single alien species from a nearby planet. What can we reasonably infer about them, and what questions should we ask? Let’s dive into these speculative considerations, examining their connections to both science fiction and real-world science.
10. Appearance
Our tendency to imagine extraterrestrials as humanoid—standing upright with two legs, arms, a head, and facial features—is just the tip of the iceberg. Even when we attempt to break away from this mold, we still envision them resembling Earth’s creatures, such as reptiles, crustaceans, or insects, albeit scaled up to human size. This isn’t entirely unreasonable. When constructing an image of an alien, we rely on anthropocentric assumptions because humans are the only intelligent species we know. We assume that any advanced life form would share certain traits with us: a biochemistry similar to ours, a multicellular structure to support a complex brain, a skeletal system to withstand gravity, and a body large enough to house a highly developed brain. They would likely need limbs for movement and tool use, as well as sensory organs to interact with their environment. Ultimately, it’s easier to stay within the bounds of what we know rather than venturing into the unknown.
That said, all these assumptions are rooted in the idea that their world resembles ours—that evolution followed a similar trajectory, leading to comparable biodiversity. However, they might not be our size. For instance, intelligent extraterrestrials could be as large as a skyscraper or as massive as a freight train. They might lack heads or limbs as we know them, or even possess a cellulose-based exterior or an exotic material instead of skin. Even more intriguing are life forms with entirely different biochemistries. For example, silicon-based beings, theorized to have crystalline structures, might thrive in high-temperature environments, though silicon is less versatile than carbon for supporting life.
9. Energy?
Regardless of their form, extraterrestrials would require an energy source to survive—this much is certain, given the laws of physics in our universe. But what might that energy source be? While evolution is a formidable force, it’s unlikely that beings with built-in fusion cores are roaming our galaxy, casually fusing hydrogen atoms. Their energy needs would heavily depend on their biochemistry, opening up a wide range of possibilities. If their planet’s elemental composition is similar to Earth’s, they might consume a diet chemically akin to ours. However, their specific dietary requirements would shape their anatomy, social structures, economies, and even their perceptions of other life forms. Would they view humans as prey, predators, competitors, or even as a resource-rich delicacy? Alternatively, their diet might make them repulsive to us—imagine ammonia-based beings. Are they driven by hunger, or are they altruistic, seeking to nourish the starving (with a definition of “starving” that conveniently includes us without making us inferior)?
Another intriguing, though less critical, question is how they power their technology and infrastructure. Presumably, their methods for sustaining spacecraft or generating energy could offer insights for our own advancements, provided their processes are more efficient and don’t rely on resources exclusive to their planet.
8. What’s Their Story?
Life on Earth has taken roughly billion years to evolve from our last universal ancestor to the complex beings we are today. This journey has been marked by cataclysmic events, the reign of dinosaurs, the rise and fall of empires, the birth of religions, the formation of nations, and pivotal moments like colonization, world wars, and the Cold War. Our history is a mix of pride and regret, but undeniably, it’s a compelling narrative. What story might extraterrestrials share? Did their evolutionary path produce a diversity of life forms akin to ours? Did their planet face mass extinctions, possibly involving other intelligent species? Has their civilization fragmented into distinct nations, and if so, do these divisions still govern their world?
Their history would profoundly shape how they approach us. A society unfamiliar with violence might approach us with excessive benevolence, even naivety. Conversely, they could be overly cautious, wary of civilizations that don’t prioritize harmony. A civilization accustomed to conflict, however, might have developed advanced diplomatic systems and military strategies. The balance they strike between diplomacy and force is anyone’s guess. Scholars like Jared Diamond and Stephen Hawking have speculated that if we encounter a superior civilization resembling ours, history suggests they might dominate us, using a mix of hard power (force) and soft power (persuasion).
7. Expectations of Us
We hope that any interaction with extraterrestrial beings will yield mutual benefits—scientific collaboration, joint space exploration, resource sharing, and perhaps even a shared appreciation for art. However, we’ve also considered darker scenarios, including the possibility of violence. Yet, even without violence, they might still subjugate us. Humans use plants and animals for survival, and while some strive to treat animals better, we still control their lives, often without their awareness. Could a more advanced civilization view us similarly, exploiting us in ways we might not even realize? Or, like us, might they have always anticipated contact with a superior race, leaving them just as unprepared and curious as we are? Many scientists argue that actively seeking contact with aliens is unwise. Our potential extraterrestrial counterparts might be as cautious about us as we are about them—and history suggests their caution could be well-founded.
6. How Intelligent?
Our ability to speculate about the intelligence of extraterrestrial beings is constrained by our own cognitive limits. If they are more advanced, we might imagine them excelling in science and engineering, much like a Neanderthal might envision superior beings as better hunters or toolmakers, unable to grasp concepts like art, diplomacy, or metaphysics. What ideas or understandings might a more developed intelligence possess that are entirely beyond our comprehension, regardless of how far our science progresses? What profound insights into life’s nature might they hold?
Returning to the Neanderthal analogy, consider encountering a species with intelligence comparable to theirs. Their understanding of us would differ vastly from our understanding of them. Limited by their cognitive abilities, they might fail to grasp our attempts at communication, leaving us frustrated and disappointed by the lack of meaningful interaction. Now, imagine meeting a species far more intelligent than us, with the same intellectual advantage over us as we have over Neanderthals. Would they grow frustrated by our inability to grasp their concepts? Or is there a baseline intelligence level, which we’ve already surpassed, that makes communication universally possible? (Similar to how dogs, beyond a certain intelligence threshold, can recognize their loved ones as effectively as humans.)
The idea of cosmicism, introduced by fiction writer H. P. Lovecraft, ties into this concept. It highlights humanity’s inability to comprehend the vast, overwhelming forces governing the universe, suggesting that our existence is insignificant in the grand cosmic order.
5. Developed AI?
This theme is a staple in science fiction, with recent examples like the acclaimed Mass Effect series. However, the question it raises is deeply relevant. Science fiction often warns of the dangers of creating artificial intelligence that might not prioritize human interests, potentially threatening our survival. While it may sound exaggerated, the need for responsible AI development is a genuine concern. Organizations like the Singularity Institute are dedicated to this very issue. If a rogue AI’s goals conflict with those of all other life forms, our primary concern should be whether such an AI could emerge within our interplanetary vicinity.
Unfortunately, we have no control over the actions of civilizations that have yet to contact us. There’s a chance that somewhere, unbeknownst to us, a form of artificial intelligence is being developed—or may already exist. While the likelihood of this scenario is low, and it’s even less probable that such an advanced species would lack caution, the possibility, however remote, raises questions worth exploring. This theme has inspired numerous thought-provoking works of fiction.
4. Cognition and Emotion
Regardless of their intelligence, we cannot assume aliens think like us. Their memory, self-awareness, communication methods, or perception of space and time might differ drastically from ours. Even among humans, cognitive processes vary widely. For instance, the Piraha people in the Brazilian Amazon use only three terms to describe quantities: “roughly one,” “more than one,” and “many.” As Carl Sagan noted, even the concept of “one” involves complex logical underpinnings. If such differences exist among humans, imagine the potential cognitive gaps between us and extraterrestrials. Numeracy is just one example; their mental frameworks could differ in countless other ways.
Equally fascinating is the possibility that aliens experience emotions entirely different from ours. Many human emotions are believed to be evolutionary byproducts, shaped by our unique history. An alien civilization might not understand laughter, feel spite, or be moved by the things that awe or terrify us. Conversely, they might experience emotions we can’t even fathom. Such differences would undoubtedly complicate interplanetary diplomacy.
3. Where Are They?
Using our current understanding of habitable planets and advanced technology, we’ve identified a few star systems with planets that meet our criteria for sustaining life. However, the leap from supporting life to fostering advanced, intelligent civilizations is vast, and there’s little evidence that the habitable planets we’ve found host such beings. On the bright side, we’ve only explored a tiny fraction of the universe, and the presence of even a few habitable planets suggests a high probability of life existing elsewhere. The downside? The immense distances and physical constraints make reaching these planets within a reasonable timeframe nearly impossible. Faster-than-light travel remains theoretical, and if the Big Rip hypothesis is correct, intergalactic travel becomes increasingly unlikely with each passing second.
Assuming we someday master space-time manipulation for interstellar travel, where should we search? It’s not just about finding planets at the right distance from their stars. Factors like the star’s size, luminosity, and dark spots, the planet’s orbit (e.g., tidal locking), atmospheric composition, rotation, axial tilt, the presence of neighboring planets (which can stabilize orbits and provide protection), and even the galaxy’s structure and activity all play crucial roles in determining habitability.
Realistically, we won’t be launching missions to find aliens anytime soon. If we encounter extraterrestrials in our lifetimes, it’s more likely they’ll come to us rather than the reverse—though even that seems improbable in the near future. Still, the search for alien life is a thrilling endeavor, and I hope humanity one day establishes a mutually beneficial relationship with beings from another world. In a universe that may not sustain life forever, it would be comforting to know we’re not alone in our quest to preserve it.
2. Prolonging Existence
Existential threats range from local disasters, like plagues, to universal catastrophes, such as the Big Rip. No civilization is immune to them, and the larger the scale, the more inevitable they seem. While we can combat diseases or prevent nuclear wars, we’re powerless against gamma-ray bursts or supernovas. These events, though daunting, pale in comparison to the ultimate existential threat: the universe’s eventual transition into a state inhospitable to life. This could occur in 97 trillion years when stars stop fusing, in 10^34 years when protons decay, in 10^100 years when only photons remain, or even sooner if we’re in a false-vacuum state. Presumably, any intelligent species would strive to prolong its existence, either in its current form or an evolved state. What measures might other civilizations take to ensure their survival?
Not long ago, when the Big Crunch was considered the most likely end-of-the-universe scenario, physicist Frank Tipler proposed a solution: an infinitely powerful computer that would harness the energy of the Big Crunch. This computer, he argued, could “resurrect all life that ever existed.” In the final second of objective time, the computer could generate infinite subjective time, simulating every possible quantum state of the universe—including all life forms. This idea highlights humanity’s response to the universe’s finitude: devising ways to extend life indefinitely, even if only subjectively. But does the distinction between objective and subjective eternity truly matter?
1. Knowledge of the Universe
The existence (or location) of extraterrestrial civilizations is just one of countless mysteries about our universe. It’s plausible that some advanced civilization has already unlocked the secrets of the cosmos far beyond our understanding. They might have deciphered the nature of dark matter and dark energy, mapped the universe in unparalleled detail, and identified where life thrives. Some may even manipulate the fabric of space-time, a concept we’ve only imagined. Their willingness to share such knowledge and technology could profoundly benefit both them and us.
However, as previously mentioned, our cognitive limitations might prevent us from grasping the achievements of such advanced civilizations. Yet, human evolution is ongoing, and it’s possible that in twenty thousand or even a million years, a more intelligent species—or at least more advanced humans—could emerge, capable of bridging this intellectual gap.
