Yes or No question

[CapnG]

Given that the Earth is 4 billion years old and the universe is theoretically infinite (to say nothing of other dimensions) I would have to say the odds of the answer being "no" would be remote in the extreme, so YES.

[schticknz]

Nope ... sorry its neither a yes nor no answer for me. For me its only 'possibly' ... since the universe is 3 or so times older than the earth/solar system it is indeed possible that another civilisation became space-faring at a much earlier stage of the universe's history and visited the earth at some point.

Until anyone comes up with definite proof that another civilisation visited the earth at some point during its history, I have to sit on the fence. For me its not a black and white question.

schtick

p.s. all those anomalous artifacts found over the years (the ringed spheres etc) may be possible proof of visitation but until someone has 100% proof that they are, I cannot say 'yes' or 'no'.

[Rick Deckard]

Originally Posted by capng

Given that the Earth is 4 billion years old and the universe is theoretically infinite (to say nothing of other dimensions) I would have to say the odds of the answer being "no" would be remote in the extreme, so YES.

Nothing wrong with that logic. I think it's very fair to suggest that it is far more like that we are not the only advanced race in the universe than it is to suggest that we are.

Originally Posted by schticknz

p.s. all those anomalous artifacts found over the years (the ringed spheres etc) may be possible proof of visitation but until someone has 100% proof that they are, I cannot say 'yes' or 'no'.

Good - any ideas about what would constitute 100% proof? Really, I am being serious - I've no idea how you would prove something like that.

[TClaeys]

Originally Posted by schticknz

Nope ... sorry its neither a yes nor no answer for me. For me its only 'possibly' ... since the universe is 3 or so times older than the earth/solar system it is indeed possible that another civilisation became space-faring at a much earlier stage of the universe's history and visited the earth at some point.

Until anyone comes up with definite proof that another civilisation visited the earth at some point during its history, I have to sit on the fence. For me its not a black and white question.

Come on Schtick!! It's not like there is a right and wrong answer. Well, then again I suppose there is, but we'll likely never know. In the meantime it's just a best guess at this point and time. I mean, what do you think yes or no?? You don't have to subscribe to any lifelong definite answer, you can even change your mind tomorrow.

Well, don't mean to be hard on you cuz Im in the same boat. I have such a hard time answering this question that I thought I would start this poll. I'm a little surprised there aren't more NO's(thanks Ankhes for your honesty, it's a terribly tough question). And since I'm calling you out, I guess I better answer as well.

Even as I'm getting ready to answer I'm having a hard time. I'm that much on the fence. But I'll have to say Yes for now. It's more a philosophical answer than maybe even realistic. The major hurdle as I see it is travel (assuming ETH). However, there may be some things about the universe that we don't fully know. Imagine that right?

Anyway given the fact that our entire civilization is but a blip in time between ice-ages and we are, ourselves, traversing space it seems reasonable, perhaps very likely, that other life may do it as well. And had we got an earlier start, an earlier death to the dinosaurs, we might be in a much different position.

How we would get somewhere else in a cosmically realistic timeframe is another discussion. Like I said it is a philosophical answer. I think life has to be abundant throughout the universe even though we haven't yet detected it. So for now, even though it pains me to answer even my own question I'll have to lean slightly to saying YES we have been visited. There, see that wasn't too terrible.

Care to reconsider answering the question Schtick?? It's all in fun and I won't hold you to it. Trust me I'm nearly as close to a no as a yes. But if you had to answer, .......

[Ankhes]

Thanks for that, TClaeys! I was getting a bit nervous being the only "no" on here. It is sort of lonely. : ) But I'm glad I jumped in. The water's fine.

[Rick Deckard]

Originally Posted by TClaeys

I think life has to be abundant throughout the universe even though we haven't yet detected it.

Well, you could look at it this way - if the evolution of the human race was a totally natural process (i.e. no divine intervention) then that fact alone must tell us that life has probably evolved in a similar way on planets with characteristics similar to our own.

In other words, you could argue that our existence alone is proof enough that intelligent life exists elsewhere.

[mike]

scroll down...........
Enhance.............

Originally Posted by Rick Deckard

Well, you could look at it this way - if the evolution of the human race was a totally natural process (i.e. no divine intervention) then that fact alone must tell us that life has probably evolved in a similar way on planets with characteristics similar to our own.

The science of past performance Mr Deckard ?

that fact alone MUST tell us ?

i have this horrible realisation ive been preaching to the choir.........

[schticknz]

Originally Posted by TClaeys

Care to reconsider answering the question Schtick?? It's all in fun and I won't hold you to it. Trust me I'm nearly as close to a no as a yes. But if you had to answer, .......

Ok ... well here goes ... ummm yeeee ... noooo

Is that sufficient ?? ... only kidding

Actually I'm more towards the yes end of the spectrum I guess ... I think its more probable than not that we've been visited at some time ... so ... go on ... I'll say yes for now.

(blimey talk about extracting and answer with extreme intent to cause injury )

And ... also if Joseph Farrell is right about his hypothesis, and that the Giza Pyramids were indeed an ancient form of super-weapon ... count me in as a definite 'yes'

(p.s. must cut down on the number of smilies ... starting to get a bit addicted ... damn ... damn again ... damn ... arrghhh caught in a looop ...)

[Miah]

The question leaves open the possibility of demons/angels as well, just sayin. So any Bible believer would answer yes to this poll.

I can't answer anything I don't know for sure.

[Rick Deckard]

Originally Posted by mike

The science of past performance Mr Deckard ?

that fact alone MUST tell us ?

i have this horrible realisation ive been preaching to the choir.........

Well, not really. I'm offering a possible argument that you could put forward - that's not the same as me stating that fact with 'certainty'.

I think I need to say this more about myself and why I use these forums:

I am not CERTAIN of anything. I participate here to throw around ideas and see what sticks. I'm not here to persuade anyone of anything or change anyone's mind about anything - I'm here to see if MY mind can be changed. I sometimes take a contrary stance to my own beliefs in order to test them. I often find myself questioning my own understanding. I often find myself defending ideas that I don't necessarily agree with or support, just to see how firm those ideas are. I think people sometimes misunderstand my approach and become either frustrated or confused when I appear to 'flip flop' from one side of an argument to another. The reality is that I don't have any answers; only questions.