Do you think SETI will find ever find anything?

Answer 1

The Fermi paradox is the apparent contradiction between high estimates of the probability of the existence of extraterrestrial civilizations and the lack of evidence for or contact with such civilizations.

According to some observers, the extreme age of the universe and its vast number of stars suggest that extraterrestrial life should be common. Discussing this proposition with colleagues over lunch in 1950, the physicist Enrico Fermi is said to have asked: "Where are they?" Fermi questioned why, if a multitude of advanced extraterrestrial civilizations exist in the Milky Way galaxy, evidence such as probes, spacecraft, or radio transmissions has not been found. The simple question "Where are they?" (alternatively, "Where is everybody?") is possibly apocryphal, but Fermi is widely credited with simplifying the problem of the probability of extraterrestrial life. Wider examination of the implications of the topic began with Michael Hart in 1975, and it is sometimes referred to as the Fermi-Hart paradox.

There have been attempts to resolve the Fermi Paradox by locating evidence of extraterrestrial civilizations, along with proposals that such life could exist without human knowledge. Counterarguments suggest that intelligent extraterrestrial life does not exist or occurs so rarely that humans will never make contact with it.

A great deal of effort has gone into developing scientific theories and possible models of extraterrestrial life and the Fermi paradox has become a theoretical reference point in much of this work. The problem has spawned numerous scholarly works addressing it directly, while various questions that relate to it have been addressed in fields as diverse as astronomy, biology, ecology and philosophy. The emerging field of astrobiology has brought an interdisciplinary approach to the Fermi paradox and the question of extraterrestrial life."--wikipedia

To the objective (or open minded ) person there are several possibliities:

1. Earth is unique-- Earth is the only planet capable of supporting life as we know it.
2. Earth is not unique in that there is life elsewhere but there are no other advanced civilizations in the universe.
3. Earthlike planets are extremely rare therefore any advanced civilizations are to far away for us to contact.
3. Earthlike planets are not rare, there are many civilizations out there but they are so far ahead of us technologically that they do not wish to be contacted.
4. Earthlike planets are not rare, there are many civilizations out there but their form of life may be so different than ours that communication may be impossible.
5. The Zoo hypothesis--we are being deliberately isolated by some advanced race wishing to protect us or cultivate us technologically.
6. We have been contacted but our governments feel that the general public is not "ready" for such a discovery and the aliens have respected that viewpoint.
7. They are already amoung us but we cannot see them (deliberate hiding or so differnet that our eyes can't see them)and our government doesn't know.

Answer 2

I am not optimistic about the probability of success. In the 1800s people correctly pointed out that a few large letters written in the Sahara desert would be visible from Mars, if the Martians had telescopes as good as we do. That could work I suppose, if there were any Martians, but it seems hopelessly naive by today's standards. I think SETI will look that way in 100 or 200 years.

Answer 3

Buddha stated in really old scriptures that there was human life on other planets.

Will SETI find anything?

I'm sure that it will though if there was enough funding and time.

Whether there is 'official confirmation' will depend largely on who's in power at the time.

(I think it might upset a lot of Christians).

Answer 4

Yes, because they are actively looking for signs of intelligent life. Also, there is a good possibility that we might stumble across alien beings through some mission unrelated to what SETI is doing. Advances in technology is allowing us study the Universe in all kinds of ways. So, don't be surprised one day if, while we are in the midst of analyzing "gamma ray bursts", something else totally unexpected points directly at signs of an advanced civilization. :)

Answer 5

According to the Drake Equation, there's always a chance we will...

Good luck Seti.

Answer 6

Yes, but it will take a long time. The number of stars out there that might have a high-tech civilization beaming out radio signals is in the quadrillions...probably a lot more in just the "local group" in our galactic cluster. Too many to check even in centuries.

Answer 7

I think it already has. The Fed has all the details.

Answer 8

If it does I think it will be open to debate whether it is really life or not.

Answer 9

no,I hope I am wrong.