If Carl Sagan is correct in his belief about intelligent life, what is probabiltiy we are within range of them

Question

Yes, there are billions and billions. But most stars are really far away? Does it not stand to reason that we are too far to be in contact with them?

I've not read all his treaties on the subject. I heard he claimed, mabye civilizations don't last long enough.

Answer 1

Sorry, we're nowhere close. As of now we have 0% chance of making contact with aliens.

Answer 2

'Far away' is subjective, and depends on the level of technology of the society defining it. Just a hundred years ago, far away was generally defined as the distance a person could travel in a few days--maybe 100 miles. Now, we can go that far for an all-day shopping trip. How will we define it in another hundred years, when teleportation is the reality, and the other side of the planet is only two steps away? Or, say, 500 years from now, when 'teleterminals' have been set up around the solar system?
And who says a real-life stargate is absolutely impossible?
What the human mind can concieve and believe, it can achieve.
Not only is the probability high, I personally think it is only a matter of time before we face non-human intelligent life.

Answer 3

Most of this is questions we can't answer yet. Based on the most recent scientific findings, it looks more likely that there ae a lot of planets that could suppport life. By "a lot" I don't mean most stars are likely all, or even the majority of stars will have such planets. But there could be millions, in our galaxy, even if only a very small percentage of stars have such planets.

But we don't know how likely it is life will start--and we don't know how likely it is tha tintelligent life like ourselves (a technology-using civilization) will develop. And we don't know the time range--or the lifespanof civilizations.

So--is it possible other civilizations exist? Yes--but how likely it is that they do--or how far away they might be--is essentially just guesswork at this point in time.

Of course, they could be out there in a starship watching us right now! Let's just hope they don't pick up Jerry Springer! That would be embarrassing! :)

Answer 4

Since science accepts the uncertainity theory, no. Life as WE know it, yes that would be astronomical and billions of light years away.

It would require a similar mean temperature, similar air mixture and must be based on the carbon cycle.

There could be carbon based life forms nearby, but they may not exist in the same fragile specturm of environment as we do.

They could be in this solar system.

Sentient life is evey more astronomical.

If sentient life is much like man, we may not want to meet up with them, for currently they would have to be technologically advanced, but if they are anything like us, we could be in serious trouble for mankind is firmly Imperialistic.

You better hope they are better masters of philosophy or religion than we are with higher standards, morals and ethics.

A majority of mankind proves over and over again it doesn't matter what they believe or say, they do what their own needs dictate.

Answer 5

It depends on their current state of technology. If their technology has allowed them to move from star to star then if they settle down on a planet near us then it is plausible that at any minute we could contact them.


And he did claim that the natural progression of technology that we promptly blow ourselves up due to lack of responsibility. But that is why he was a huge pacifist. He knew the only way we would know if life was out there is if we lived through our own "technological" adolescence. Keep in mind most of the stuff he did that was really popularized was back during the Cold War. But his statement still stands true today.

Answer 6

Remember how close we came to nuking ourselves back in the cold war? Look how close we are now. I do not think that the average lifetime of a technological civilization is much over three centuries, and that's an optimistic estimate.

Answer 7

if we are close, they would do best to avoid us. we try to kill things we dont understand. so they would retaliate and fry us, or not make contact. if they were smart they would avoid us. the vulcans wont ask us to join the group. sorry Trekkie's, it wont happen. we are barbarians.

and we may not last long enough to venture far from earth. unless we develop quantum physics better, and spend less on jihads and guns. oh yeah, and start practicing safe sex you planet of the apes.

Answer 8

The Andromeda Galaxy is 2.5 million light years away. Maybe there is life there? Who knows. It's a close galaxy if you can travel at light speed.

Answer 9

we're too far away for contact to be a reality

Answer 10

Possibility, but not likely.