probably not much at all. It would appear on the cover of National Geographic one month, and a couple years later most people will have forgotten about it.
2007-08-20 12:12:04
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answer #1
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answered by Anonymous
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For some, it would be a great satisfaction, and would push or more investment to find life that is technologically advanced and communicate with them (assuming that what you mean by "finding life" includes finding bacteria or other simple organism, and not getting a radio signal that is unmistakeably from a civilized alien planet).
For other--religious fanatics--it would be some sort of a double challenge. On the one side, it would mean that they have so many more "people" to annoy into joining their faith; and for other, the realization that their god did not make the earth special; especially if that life is found to be much older than what the fanatics argue was the time the universe was created (i.e. a little over 6000 years ago...)
I can't wait for this to happen; either the fundamentalists will be totally disorganized trying to find their bearing; or we can all pack them on a rocket bound for deep space so they can spread the gospel around. Either way, they will stop knocking on Saturday mornings.
2007-08-20 12:18:54
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answer #2
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answered by Vincent G 7
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The discovery of Extraterrestrial life forms (Sentient beings from another planet) would truely without a doubt be the SINGLE greatest discovery in the history of mankind on this planet. It will change our view of ourselves as being the only form of intelligent life in the universe, which would be really dumb to think that considering the immense size and age of the universe and each of those points of light you see at night are essentially other SUNS. It will be frightening of course initially, but we would get used to it with time. As we al know there are those that may have positive and negative feeling towards race. Heck it goes on everyday here on Earth in this day and age. It would be reasonable to assume that if these beings have the technology to cross vast distances in space, then their technological capabilities will be more advanced than ours as a whole. There would certainly be an exchange of knowledge (with us benefiting the most). It will give us a broader sense of our existance and where we stand in the universe and enable us to mature in such a way that our petty differences here on Earth, mainly in regards to race and nationality would become rather trivial. The possibilities are endless.
2007-08-20 13:00:45
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answer #3
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answered by Anikin 1
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I agree with the previous answers. The change would be philosophical and may help to ease wars as we realise that we are all earthlings. But I will still need to wake up and shave and shower every morning just like today. I think the old shock and massive terror that was hyped in the 50's was overestimated. Today, the majority of people believe in extraterrestrial life already.
2007-08-20 12:21:17
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answer #4
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answered by Troasa 7
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It won't, because it won't happen in our time, except for the slim chance of discovering it in our own solar system. By the time our descendants are able to explore other systems, society will most likely be very different from now. Many of the changes the previous answers have mentioned may already have happened. Noone else knows how it will be further changed, because noone knows what it will be like in the first place.
2007-08-20 12:50:05
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answer #5
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answered by kozzm0 7
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It would really depend on the level of life we discover.
Bacteria, molds, and primitive single-celled creatures may be of interest but may not change our society all that much (except for the scientists).
More advanced lifeforms such as mammals, birds, insects, or reptiles would be of major interest to most people on Earth.
Intelligent life would dramatically alter our society.
In all cases, finding life on other planets could:
- disrupt theological teachings that claim we are the only creation of the Almighty (could lead to major religious upheavals, loss of faith, etc.)
- cause humans to be more compassionate to life on this Earth (and possibly stop species annihilation) or the exact opposite and make people think that "there is life everywhere, so it doesn't matter what we destroy here"
2007-08-20 12:40:57
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answer #6
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answered by Anonymous
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It will in the sense that we won't be the center of the universe anymore. I think the greatest cgnage it would cause in our society would be in the religious sector. Religious people would have to take a hard look at what they believe. In a sense our society will expand to try and encompass more then the planet.
2007-08-20 12:12:43
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answer #7
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answered by Anonymous
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sure. however the only existence they are going to locate is microbial and/or data of organic and organic compounds consistent with existence on exoplanets. there have been various comments throughout the time of background have been human beings suspected existence were stumbled on. Why does not they proceed reporting it, in the event that they theory they had stumbled on it? Being that this could be unequivocally the biggest discovery the human race had ever made, i'm specific it could be made public because of the fact those to blame could choose the credit.
2016-10-16 06:48:14
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answer #8
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answered by ? 4
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It would be a very interesting verification about our theories of extra-terrestrial life.
But unless we were able to have some dialog with a superior technological civilization there would be absolutely no impact on us in any material way.
2007-08-21 04:43:27
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answer #9
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answered by Billy Butthead 7
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Depends on what kind of things they are.
2007-08-20 12:19:58
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answer #10
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answered by Renaissance Man 5
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