What reaction and implications will occur on a Global scale if we discover life elsewhere?

Question

I'm not necessarily talking about little green men flying down and greeting the president etc, but what if we find microbial life on Mars or even little bugs (not sure if that's at likely). In fact what about if Seti DID receive a signal fro intelligent life? What reaction would the world have and why?

Answer 1

Before answering the question, I need to address the Christian bashing going on here.



As a Catholic, I can tell you this: discovery of life elsewhere in the universe, or even within our own star system would hardly start wholesale slaughter in an interstellar crusade by those pesky Christians.



"In my Father's house are many mansions", said Jesus to Simon Peter and the rest of the disciples. While rather obscure, this sets a biblical precedent for the idea of Church acceptance of the idea of extraterrestrial life.



The idea that Christianity, Catholicism in particular, is any less accepting of the idea of extraterrestrial life is ludicrous, absurd, and asinine.



The Vatican recently held a conference on the idea of extraterrestrial life. The Vatican astronomer said that life on Mars cannot be ruled out.



I believe the discovery of extraterrestrial life, in this instance, non-sentient life, would force a paradigm shift in global thinking. Would it make any of us, Christians and non-Christian alike, feel any less special, or that we had less of a place in the universe? Hardly. What I believe it would do is make us all understand far more clearly just how precious our existence is.



This would be even more intensely the case if we were to receive a message from an extraterrestrial intelligence. Imagine! There are others out there, and we are not alone! I think far from feeling less special we would not be the lonely children we consider ourselves to be. If we did not feel this way, why would we be searching?



As for the world's religions, ALL of them, would this not give greater glory to the creation? Would this not give a greater insight into the mind of the creator? Show the majesty of the vast construct of the Universe?



What these bashers fail to realize, or refuse to accept, is that we ARE something special. All life is special, even extraterrestrial life. If they knew anything about the religions they seem to so despise, they would understand that.



If one is of true faith, then that faith is not threatened by science, but in fact embraces it. Science is the search for fact. Religion is the search for truth.



Why can they not be complimentary?

Answer 2

Eventually, we will encounter intelligent extra-terrestrial life. With trillions of other stars in the universe, the odds that we are alone are literally astronomical. What impact this will have on humanity we can only speculate. Certainly there will be fear mongers, but there will also be benign scientific interest. No doubt, space missionaries will arise but will be hampered by the limits of our technology. There's an award winning sci-fi novel that I want to read titled "The Sparrow" by Mary Doria Russell that deals with this topic. Would you believe that the study of astrotheology has already begun?! Good question, btw.

Answer 3

probably get all and numerous speaking for somewhat. the phone gadget and information superhighway may jam from all the site visitors. it will be the tremendous experience, like 911 grow to be, for a week. Then slowly human beings may adjust to the recent fact and they could all come again to their workouts in time. some farmers and hillbillies may get their shotguns and pitchforks, although the authorities may calm them down. human beings in CA may have a celebration. Wall St may attempt to make a dollar off of it, and so may all the infomercials. all and numerous may react of their own certain way as they continually do at the same time as there's a disaster. may probably be more desirable severe this time, yet issues may settle.

Answer 4

They have not found anything on Mars. Yet. Nor have they confirmed that that meteorite has evidence of life. Yet.



But I think many will not be affected, an awful lot of this planets population will probably be more concerned with getting fed and not murdered.

Answer 5

It would help us advance in technology, get more people interested in space, which would help with research, which would help with finding more life. But if the aliens are not willing to cooperate, it could turn nasty. And, as whatwilde_space said, it would finally shut Christians up.

Answer 6

It would undoubtedly spark intense scientific research, public interest in space, and ample funding for space exploration. I hope it will also stomp down on religious self-importance and demonstrate that we are nothing special in the universe.

Answer 7

they have found microbs on mars in the water, other life well ,will it explain that more people will be entitled to stuff ,longer welfare lines, i liked that movie where aliens were in a ghetto distract 9,

really what would we do,would other country's want to blow them up too.

if we found others and they seem needy would we want to help them.

or pass over,and do what star trek does, do not interrupt the prime directive.