Why is ET such a magnet for loonatics?

It would be so far beyond your ken as to not be able to make such a distinction.

The universe is a large place - you could probably imagine better than I, how large. Indeed, it could well be infinite

It may or may not be infinite in extent, but it is not infinite in time. Every one of those 10^23 stars has been around less than 13 billion years. A very large fraction of them (all the pop II and pop I's) have been around much less than that (And pop III's are hypothesized to be nearly extinct).

It took more than 1/3 of the age of the universe just to get to our level of sophistication. And there's no reason to believe that evolution happens at outrageously faster rates elsewhere, even with a sampling of 10^23.

So there are definitely some rate-limiting factors on how god-like any alien can get.

What does it even mean to be god like. Are you counting technology? If you count technology, then it could be the case that evolution toward god likeness could accelerate once certain breakthroughs take place.

The point we are at now is an example. Will technology soon make forms of immortality possible? It already allows us to fly, clone creatures, harness electricity, travel to the moon etc. Certainly, ancient man might have considered this god like.

How about the possibility that genetic engineering, nano technology, etc, make it possible for us to artificially evolve ourselves?

But I don't think we will ever be able to make ecosystems out of clay in seven days.

In my opinion: I agree with DaveC426913 that the probability that life is 100% unique to this one planet in the entire universe is totally bonkers.

However, when I consider the Fermi Paradox, it seems like that is an explanation to me that says: "Either there is a neigh insurmountable hurdle related to interstellar or intergalactic travel; or nobody wants to talk to us."

But, frankly, I think that I do not have enough data to be comfortable talking about this sort of thing. And I don't mean I haven't been doing readings, I mean that we haven't even gotten to the point where we can see for ourselves if it's even possible to travel from star to star. What if there's some sort of crazy obstacle out there that we just plain can't see?


alt: when you say "an ET of God" do you mean life that got to that point? Or are you saying God? Because the God of Christianity is definitely something that was not originally life.

It may or may not be infinite in extent, but it is not infinite in time. Every one of those 10^23 stars has been around less than 13 billion years. A very large fraction of them (all the pop II and pop I's) have been around much less than that (And pop III's are hypothesized to be nearly extinct).

It took more than 1/3 of the age of the universe just to get to our level of sophistication. And there's no reason to believe that evolution happens at outrageously faster rates elsewhere, even with a sampling of 10^23.

So there are definitely some rate-limiting factors on how god-like any alien can get.

And if any sort of god is possible, then literally anything is possible, because a god may be able to defy all of man kinds established laws.

So transitively, if you accept the possibility of extraterrestrial life existing, then you must accept the possibility of the moon being made of cheese as well.

And because the criteria that you've established for being forced to accept the existence of god, is that you accept the existence of something you do not know. Then if I accept the possibility that my car will start next morning, then I must also accept the possibility that the moon is made of cheese.

It would be wrong to claim with certainty that there is no life elsewhere in the universe considering how vast the universe is. There is a good possibility that life exists elsewhere, but it likely is very different from anything we have here on earth. It is entirely feasible that there exist advanced intelligent lifeforms out there, but they would still be constrained by the same physical laws that apply to us. People often forget this crucial limitation. Technological advancement can only get you so far so to speak...

It would be wrong to claim with certainty that there is no life elsewhere in the universe considering how vast the universe is. There is a good possibility that life exists elsewhere, but it likely is very different from anything we have here on earth. It is entirely feasible that there exist advanced intelligent lifeforms out there, but they would still be constrained by the same physical laws that apply to us. People often forget this crucial limitation. Technological advancement can only get you so far so to speak...

Yes, I think it is safe to say that, considering the breadth of the universe, and accepting the possibility of ET, one must allow for the possibility of god-like creatures.

But note:

It is also safe to say that, considering the breadth of the universe, and not believing in ET, one must still allow for the possibility of god-like creatures.

i.e. Alt, you must allow for the possibility too, despite your beliefs to the contrary. Because, frankly your argument that there are no ETs (and therefore no possibility that any might be god-like) is indefensible.

It's the diff between what you think is probably true, and what you must still allow the possibility for.

Technological advancement can only get you so far so to speak...

Yes, but how far, exactly?

What does it even mean to be god like. Are you counting technology? If you count technology, then it could be the case that evolution toward god likeness could accelerate once certain breakthroughs take place.

The point we are at now is an example. Will technology soon make forms of immortality possible? It already allows us to fly, clone creatures, harness electricity, travel to the moon etc. Certainly, ancient man might have considered this god like.

How about the possibility that genetic engineering, nano technology, etc, make it possible for us to artificially evolve ourselves?

But I don't think we will ever be able to make ecosystems out of clay in seven days.