this post was submitted on 17 Nov 2023
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Science Memes

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submitted 10 months ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]
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[–] [email protected] 24 points 10 months ago (2 children)

A civilization capable of interstellar travel would be a lot more advanced then we are. If we but this in perspective, we as humans don't really care about other species that much. Imagine a species that is more advanced tham we are compared to chimps. Some people respect chimps, but we keep them in zoos and destroy their living spaces. An interstellar civilization could see us even lower than that, just some primates living on a rock. They might not even think us intelligent, we only just have 'understood' quantum theory.

[–] [email protected] 11 points 10 months ago (2 children)

I think that is an overly bleak view. An interstellar civilization is likely on a similar evolutionary ladder spot as us and I would imagine that they would recognize this. I don't think that there is much difference between us and them in that scenario, except how far we have developed our idea space. Supposedly with the help of such a civilization we would be able to accomplish the same feats as them in a fairly short time. No monkey is going to engineer rockets, no matter how long you try to teach them.

[–] [email protected] 13 points 10 months ago (1 children)

Humans aren't exactly good at not going to war and threaten nuclear warfare with itself.

I agree we should be, but it doesn't have to make sense.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 10 months ago

Ye, the civilization might see us as potential rivals even and to be exterminated before we reach their level. It would be very naive to think that any interaction with a more advanced species is gonna be positive for us

[–] [email protected] 3 points 10 months ago

The difference between us and a mouse is only 50 million years. The difference between us and a smart ape is maybe only 200k years. Now imagine a civilisation that has been around for 1 billion years. And then apply the same exponential growth curve that life and technology have on earth. The distance between us and them could be absurdly huge.

[–] [email protected] 10 points 10 months ago

we only just have 'understood' quantum theory

Hey now, speak for yourself