About ETs and mankind

The question about the ETs, the intelligent extra-terrestrial life forms, has been around for decades. It has intrigued people's imagination and been the subject of countless stories and discussions. The thought that we might not be alone in the universe is at the same time both enticing and disturbing.

After all, for centuries we have been taught by the omniscient church that the Earth is unique and the man (Homo sapiens) is the sole crown of the creation. What utter hogwash...

Recently many outstanding scientists have stepped forward saying that yes, they believe strongly in intelligent extra-terrestrial life. One of the most respected is Stephen Hawking. Their reasoning is quite simple: it's statistically virtually impossible for us to be alone! Likewise, it's statistically highly probable that there exist countless highly developed civilizations around the universe.

What should we expect, then? And should we look for and try to contact the ETs?

Mostly the question about aliens has been dealt with by innumerable Hollywood sci-fi flicks of varying quality.

Sometimes the imaginary aliens have been portrayed as cuddly and pet-like, amusing creatures or more or less human-like characters stranded on Earth for one reason or another - and typically completely clueless about the way of life here.

Most often, though, the entertainment industry has been suspiciosly eager to present the aliens as a menace and a deadly threat to the human existence.

Makes me wonder, why? Is it the simple principle of threats and thrills and horror selling better? Or is there something else, bigger and deeper, buried behind of this trend? Or is it just a depressing mirror image of human behaviour and mentality?

The image has been so strong that even Hawking has sounded a warning against trying to contact the aliens.

It's sad that such a brilliant thinker and scientist as Hawking has fallen victim of such an extremely anthropocentric view of the possible alien visitors to Earth.

If, or rather as, such highly advanced civilizations that are capable of visiting Earth do exist, how likely is it that we haven't already been visited? And wouldn't they already have wiped us out if they were such a rogue bunch? There haven't exactly been any lack of opportunities...

I think it's probably the other way around. There have likely been countless visits to Earth throughout the millennia, but seeing us as the undeveloped, superstitious, greedy, war mongering and murderous creatures we are the visitors have been extremely cautious to step forward.

The contact would eventually lead to the humankind getting off the Earth and spreading out to the space. And we are neither ready nor mature enough for that, yet. As of now, Homo sapiens would probably pose a far greater threat to other civilizations than the others are posing to us.

What is "The rusty weather vane"?

"The rusty weather vane" is my place for miscellaneous and random musings, rants and ravings about life in general, the mysteries of the universe and cosmos, humanity and what makes us human - and about everything else imaginable.

Every now and then there may also be topics about photography or other forms of art.

It's also an excellent place for me to acquire a reputation of a total crackpot or at least to make a complete fool of myself. ;-)

"The rusty weather vane" reflects my view of life and the universe. Like a weathered and rusty vane that doesn't anymore turn to every breeze I have also found my direction in life. And if the vane does turn it does so probably with a painful screech...

The writings in this blog are not necessarily always conventional or even politically correct. Thus, extreme conservatives, ideological fanatics, religious fundamentalists or otherwise narrow-minded individuals may find some of them offending. But that's your own problem. Consider yourselves been warned!

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