Suppose we Earthlings were to somehow come into contact with a civilization from somewhere else in the Universe. It is very likely that our two species would have great differences in biology, social structure, communication methods, and nearly every other aspect of culture, civilization, and life. So what then would be the common ground? What do you think are things that are so fundamental that both of our civilizations understand them? How would you initiate dialogue or correspondence? Do you think they would understand mathematics and physics in a similar manner as us?
Thanks in advance for your thoughts.
2006-10-31 03:52:49 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
Our first common language would be Binary... A number system constructed of the presence or absence of a marker... 0/1... false/True... no/Yes... off/On... Nothing/Something...
From there we will find the ability to condense concepts and expand our dialogue...
Yes, they will know Pi, but they won't call it Pi, and the characters 3.14... will not mean anything...
2006-11-01 09:58:45 · answer #1 · answered by Jorrath Zek 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
If we were to come in contact with an alien civilization, it owuld most likely be they who contacted us, and to do this they would have to be far more technically advanced because of the incredible distances we are talking about here. For example, the nearest star, besides the Sun of course, is Alpha Proxima and that is 4.3 light years away! So in order to bridge this gap with communications, they would most likely have solved some physics problems that we cannot even fathom yet.
ALso they would have had to discover how to live in harmony with each other without destroying themselves, since a civilization that advanced has to be older than us by a long shot, thus would have had to learn how to live in peave. This might be the best thing they could teach us!
As far as common grounds in math and physics: Yes, of course basic laws, like prime numbers, a 1, 3, 5, 7, 11 is a prime anywhere.And e=mc squared anywhere. But they might have different names for these things, just like we on earth have different languages.
2006-10-31 12:37:38 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
The relationships between the fundamental numbers that make up the physical world would be known by any civilization such as pi or e or the ratio of the strong nuclear force to the weak. The units of measure might be different but there are certain universals. For example I could be described as being x number of hydrogen nuclei's tall
2006-10-31 12:35:56 · answer #3 · answered by oldhippypaul 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well mathematics and physics are things that humans have labeled based on observations.
In physics we observe motion, mass, etc and give it the name physics.
In mathematics we see patterns in different 'numbers' and give it a name.
We would be common to exist. But i believe that communication would be the most difficult thing because we would be two different peoples from two different places.
2006-10-31 13:03:16 · answer #4 · answered by A.R 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I believe our curiosity for discovery and explanation of the universe would be a common ground. I believe every life for is curious, not just humans.
2006-10-31 12:00:01 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think any TECHNOLOGICALLY advanced alien civilization would understand the concept of Pi.
And that, boys and girls, will be the start of something BIG.
2006-10-31 16:03:16 · answer #6 · answered by gimpalomg 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If they're advanced, they've probably conquered warp (beyond light) speed, created invincible and invisible force shields, telepathy, mind control, telekenesis, and can morph into other shapes and sizes.
2006-10-31 13:37:28 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
The thing know by all is, "never talk to strangers."
2006-10-31 12:10:58 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋