If we found life on Mars how would your views change?

[buttah]

We have proof that water is on Mars http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080731/sc_nm/space_mars_dc;_ylt=Apr4UGT.NedyiWR7DUqWZ6kEtbAF (http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080731/sc_nm/space_mars_dc;_ylt=Apr4UGT.NedyiWR7DUqWZ6kEtbAF) so how would your views on Earth and our place in the universe change?

This may involve religion and I'm not sure if that's allowed but still I think this could be an interesting conversation. So how has this effected how you think?

[Romanesque]

I doubt it'll change my views on anything... except maybe my views on chemical biology, but that's obvious, innit? We also knew there was previously water, in great amounts, so finding remnants ought not be surprising.

This may involve religion and I'm not sure if that's allowed but still I think this could be an interesting conversation. So what how has this effected how you think?Finding life on Mars may shock a number of religious people, but most will shrug their shoulders and wonder what the fuss is about about a few single-celled organisms in space. There's a serious gap between that, multicellular life, and intelligent life.

--Romey

[The Falcon]

i'm excited about the prospect of terraforming mars, but other than that my views remain pretty much unchanged. this is sad in a way as finding water on mars should be HUGE news, but the response of most people is "huh? ok. that's good"

[Desensitized]

i'm excited about the prospect of terraforming mars, but other than that my views remain pretty much unchanged. this is sad in a way as finding water on mars should be HUGE news, but the response of most people is "huh? ok. that's good"Basically, those are my thoughts on the issue.

If we found life on Mars, that would just excite me further, not really change anything.

[buttah]

I doubt it'll change my views on anything... except maybe my views on chemical biology, but that's obvious, innit? We also knew there was previously water, in great amounts, so finding remnants ought not be surprising.

Finding life on Mars may shock a number of religious people, but most will shrug their shoulders and wonder what the fuss is about about a few single-celled organisms in space. There's a serious gap between that, multicellular life, and intelligent life.

--Romey
I know there's not a good chance we'd find life like what we have on Earth but it shows potential right? I'd think that would be enough for people to expect more and not just shrug it off as nothing.

[The Huntsman]

I already believe there is life on other planets. It just seems like a statistical probability. So, such a discovery wouldn’t change my views.

[purplehairedwonder]

I already believe there is life on other planets. It just seems like a statistical probability. So, such a discovery wouldn’t change my views.This.

I think it's exciting that we're finding things like this, but it's not shocking by any means.

[Romanesque]

I know there's not a good chance we'd find life like what we have on Earth but it shows potential right? I'd think that would be enough for people to expect more and not just shrug it off as nothingLike I said, single cell life in space isn't unexpected. Given the extreme ranges of existence seen in Archaea right here on Earth, why shouldn't such life exist elsewhere? We also have no evidence to suggest that single cell life implies multicellular life. If we only find single cell life on Mars, that's not evidence of potential: that's evidence of single cell life not taking a next step.

--Romey

[TyUnlimited]

If we find a living creature on Mars, then that would be awesome. Although...just a thought.... what if they don't like us?

[buttah]

Like I said, single cell life in space isn't unexpected. Given the extreme ranges of existence seen in Archaea right here on Earth, why shouldn't such life exist elsewhere? We also have no evidence to suggest that single cell life implies multicellular life. If we only find single cell life on Mars, that's not evidence of potential: that's evidence of single cell life not taking a next step.

--Romey
Yeah but I've seen people say that they don't believe in life outside this planet. But I don't know if this discussion will go too far considering it seems like those interested in this topic already believe in aliens.

[AlgeaX]

Finding life on Mars would totally jazz me but I don't think it would change my world view significantly.

[Charlie]

If we find a living creature on Mars, then that would be awesome. Although...just a thought.... what if they don't like us?

Then too bad. They can have fun being alone on their dying planet.

[Light Lucario]

I already believe there is life on other planets. It just seems like a statistical probability. So, such a discovery wouldn’t change my views.

That basically sums up my feelings on the situation. I would be totally hyped up with energy and excitement if we did find life on Mars or on another planet but since I already believe that there is life on other planets and other galaxies, I doubt that my views of the world would change.

[Harvey Two Face]

I already believe there is life on other planets. It just seems like a statistical probability. So, such a discovery wouldn’t change my views.

Yeah same, I always knew there would be bacterial life, but I don't think there would be any other life forms say as advanced as us in our local steller neighbourhood.

[Lady Starscream]

Depends on what kind of life-form it is. Single-celled organisms aren't really much to go goo-goo over, but if it's complex/sentient/both, then I'd have a valid reason to get excited. If it's benevolent, all the better, but malevolent?

I'm gonna go panic now.

--Lady Starscream

[Rook]

Meh, I am more curious as to whether or not we are going to build on the moon, or goto Mars and totally forget that we have a satelite next door. I mean all this talk about Mars. Its like the moon had its 15 mins of fame then dropped off the map like a pop idol.

Religion is a man-made creation, the Universe is not.
That said, the Universe can do whatever the hell it wants.
I wouldnt be surpised if there was a planet made entirely of cartoon-like creatures, whose main religion practices the throwing of gelatinous candy onto the ground and eating with whatever they would call their feet...if they even have limbs.
From a gamer's perspective the Universe is the ultimate massively multiplayer real-online sandbox, complete with hackers, glitchers and the occasional anomaly.

The more extreme questions are:
How are humans going to react at first glance to alien travelers who have decided to publicly vacation/live on this planet?
Which aliens will screw up our planets environment by simply breathing, scratching, or taking whatever they would call a bath?
How would we tell the good alien from the homicidal rapists alien?

I can only imagine the ****-storm full of extremists coming from this.

[Megaman X]

If there was life on Mars or any other planet I would not be that surprised. I really don't think we are the only things in the whole entire universe. And if we were that would be kind of..strange in a way.

[Harvey Two Face]

And now we can finally answer David Bowie's song, 'Is There Life on Mars?'

[Style]

If you are looking for the religious response, it would depend. If it's just simple life that's found, the faithful would just shrug and go "Well, that's fine. God can create life where ever He sees fit."

Complex life, as in "As intelligent as us if not more so," that's where things might get dicey. For example, the idea of Alien life is just something that doesn't occur to the writers of the Bible. So, the possibility is not precluded, but some people may have a hard time with how that affects certain doctrines, like "original sin" and such.

Though, C.S. Lewis did write an interesting take on it in "Out of Silent Planet," if you're up for more reading.

[Romanesque]

If you are looking for the religious response, it would depend.A number of religions won't even have reason to shrug at the idea of extraterrestrial intelligence.

Romey
--Now, extraterrestrial religion... that could get interesting.

[Lavenderpaw]

How interesting,I'm actually from Mars myself. Really,I am.

[FightingDreamer]

From a scientific point of view, I think it's incredibly arrogant to think we're the only intelligent species in existence; I'll always believe that somewhere out in the lonely reaches of space, there's other intelligent, sentient life. They just probably won't look or act at all like the many, many fictional aliens that we're familiar with.

[veemonjosh]

Personally, I would be extremely excited, but not too surprised with finding life on other planets. I would, however, be extremely surprised if we find intelligent life within our lifetimes.

The main problem with us if we do find extraterrestrial life, IMO, is that the human race has had (and still has) a habit for...well...destroying things that aren't exactly like us.

We could meet the most peaceful race in the universe, but we'll most likely either wipe them out or throw them into slavery.

Face it, we're a pathetically close-minded race.

[Lavenderpaw]

What?No one believes me?Ask Roger off American Dad,he'll vouch for me. ;)

I personally think life may exist elsewhere on other planets,just none that we will ever be aware of at the present time.

[Gatomon41]

If life on Mars was found, nothing really changes. We were never really alone. Wither or not that life was divine or temporal didn't really matter.


Though, C.S. Lewis did write an interesting take on it in "Out of Silent Planet," if you're up for more reading.
One of the classics of SF. Highly recommended.

[Daxdiv]

I personally think life may exist elsewhere on other planets,just none that we will ever be aware of at the present time.

This is basically my stance on life beyond the stars. I am not ruling out other planet on our solar system, I just think there something similar to Mass Effect that we humans haven't found yet.

[buttah]

Though, C.S. Lewis did write an interesting take on it in "Out of Silent Planet," if you're up for more reading.
What's that about?

And I find it interesting that there has been no one who would really be affected by alien life. I've seen many times where people say they don't believe in it but not here.

[Ahiru-kun]

Personally, I don't see why were wasting money on these space programs other than to pique our curiosity. There's nothing out there that's any of our concern, and terraforming any terrestrial body in our solar system will probably take eons.

Also, if we do come into contact with any intelligent extraterrestrial life, I believe we'll be in for a huge disappointment as they'll most likely look and behave almost exactly like us.

[AlgeaX]

What's that about?

And I find it interesting that there has been no one who would really be affected by alien life. I've seen many times where people say they don't believe in it but not here.

Thing is, discovering alien life wouldn't really effect most peoples daily lives in significant way. So they find a few germs on Mars? you still have to go to work in the morning. Most people are pretty indifferent to anything that doesn't directly impact on their lives.

[MJC]

I would think it was cool, but it wouldn't change my worldview.

It seems statistically probable that there's life elsewhere anyway.

[Lavenderpaw]

The only way life could be created and sustained on other planets is if they had the resources to survive like we do.

[ROBOTRON]

I already believe there is life on other planets. It just seems like a statistical probability. So, such a discovery wouldn’t change my views.

Seconded.

I'm not sure why it would be a big deal...unless you mean far advanced civilizations drinking the Starbuck's coffees.

Then I might be surprised. :sweat:

[Flame Alchemist]

I'd just hope some dumb politician doesn't allow people to go up there and kill everything. Then of course is the obvious fact that even if Mars can sustain life, we should still care for the planet we're living on right now (even if global warming doesn't exist, you still need to keep the place clean) and not get lazy simply because "we could all live on Mars".

[RayChuang]

I would be front page news but given today's world where people in developed nations have unprecedented access to data over the Internet, the human race would not be surprised we prove life can exist "out there." Besides, we're going to find out within the next 20-25 years as more powerful ground and space-based telescopes can actually see rocky crust Earth-like planets orbiting around nearby stars come online, we send more advanced rovers to look for life on Mars and the Allen Telescope Array in northeastern California--the first large-scale radio telescope designed to look for alien RF signals--finds an artificial RF output from a nearby star.