Why are people so skeptical of UFO's?

[Thundercrack85]

Actually in virtually every non-abduction claim about aliens, they usually run away when they see humans.

But then with rare exception, aliens are usually described as being fairly scrawny. So to them we would be like hulking lowland gorillas.

 

[Piper Maru]

What if they're illegal?

 

[james-in-cali]

To be fair, if they were anything like us, they wouldn't be an interstellar civilization. We waste most of our resources on petty pursuits (war / defense).

Now that's not to say they have to be peaceful, but they would probably be fairly sophisticated and rational.

I was rather surprised when Stephen Hawking (a genius) made that claim that aliens might come to attack us. He said they would come here for our resources, as if a species that had mastered time and space would need our resources. What do we have to offer them they can't find on any terrestrial planet? Corn?

Maybe not resourses but the planet itself. Their sun could have went all red hyper giant and we just happen to be the closest habitable planet, if its life or death of their race no matter how civilized they would be hostile.

I always like to think of this example: If all of the space agencies on the planet combined resourses to go to mars, all is going well citizens of all countries involved are happy astronauts are once again media darlings, the world is watching the landing on TV. Once we arrive we discover teams of microbiological life 6" under the ground, we take samples to bring back, crack open some rocks, and other science stuff. Before we leave we plant a world flag that contains a tiny form of bacteria from earth that wipes out all of the life on mars. To all of those martian brine shrimp and water bears we just killed we are hostile when we had the best of intentions.

I assume any race that has the tech to get here are just as or more advanced than humans are over the martian water bear.

I agree 100% on your humans wasting resourses on killing other humans point.

 

[Thundercrack85]

Yes, but those are very extreme circumstances. Not impossible, but again, not necessarily likely. Especially us being the only habitable planet in range (the more coincidences needed for a scenario, the less plausible it is).

I'm not saying aliens can't be hostile. But, in order to get where they got, they had to be civilized and rational.

In our current state we pose as much a threat to any interstellar alien civilization as a troop of chimps in the jungle do to us. I.e. none.

When it comes to UFO's and aliens, I think that would be the logical answer for why they behave the way they do (for the sake of this discussion we're assuming they are of extraterrestrial origin).

Them coming into direct contact with us, would only hurt us, and serve them no real purpose.

 

[moviedoors]

Actually, I think that civility and advanced technology go hand in hand are pretty safe assumptions.

No. There are no safe assumptions when it comes to speculation about alien culture. Zero. We know literally nothing about the subject, so assumptions of any kind are without any merit to speak of. It's just like your assumption that advanced aliens must be humanoid in design. You are basing these assumptions on literally nothing. Our sample group for extraterrestrial life is zero.

 

[Thundercrack85]

Explain how a violent, unstable civilization could achieve interstellar capabilities.

It's just like your assumption that advanced aliens must be humanoid in design.

I never said that. What I said (if you're referencing what I think you are) is that we will likely encounter humanoid aliens (if we encounter any). I never said they must be humanoid.

In fact I even said that to you in that thread (just checked).

 

[Nakeshahendry]

In your opinion what is the wifi jammer used for? Do you have a basic understanding of the knowledge about it? If you want to know more about it, then you can stop your step then you will get the information and the knowledge you want.

 

[moviedoors]

Explain how a violent, unstable civilization could achieve interstellar capabilities.

I can't, because I know exactly zilch about alien life, which is precisely the amount you know. I could talk out my ass and come up some sci-fi reasons, but what's the use?

I never said that. What I said (if you're referencing what I think you are) is that we will likely encounter humanoid aliens (if we encounter any). I never said they must be humanoid.

In fact I even said that to you in that thread (just checked).

That's just semantics. You're still making a claim. We can't say to any degree of certainty what's likely. Once again, sample size: zero.

 

[Alex_Spider]

I can't, because I know exactly zilch about alien life, which is precisely the amount you know. I could talk out my ass and come up some sci-fi reasons, but what's the use?

That's just semantics. You're still making a claim. We can't say to any degree of certainty what's likely. Once again, sample size: zero.

I think the claim that advanced civilizations can't be hostile to other species, might have to do with the fact that once advanced enough, it means they probably have solved their species differences regarding the wars over their planet' s recourses and solving their energy shortages.

So one has to think what logical reason would they have to invade or enslave other species since they won't have anything to gain.

Of course first we have to assume that no life in the universe is born, or behaves in "Evil" ways by it's nature. Rather it's the need for natural recourses and energy that generates the hostile attitude and an advanced life form capable of traveling in deep space just as easy as we do in our planet, sure must have figured a way to create matter "out of thin air" and be abundant of energy on its own. Just a thought.

 

[Bim]

Well let's say your walking down the street one night and an alien appears before you. What would you do?

I honestly have no idea what i would do. Unless i perceive a threat, i'd like to think i'd just stare at it and wait to see if it says anything lol. I'd like to think i wouldnt get freaked out and start screaming or run away. I've seen enough weird things i cant explain already, so hopefully that's prepared me for something lol.

 

[NickNitro]

I think I would honestly poop my pants. I would probably just stare, poop my pants, then try and communicate.

 

[zeroapoc]

Actually, I think that civility and advanced technology go hand in hand are pretty safe assumptions.

It's not. The only thing stopping a nuclear war is that it's Mutually Assured Destruction and everyone is afraid to use them. Advanced technology hasn't turned everyone passive.

In the 1930's into the 40's the most scientifically advanced country was Germany. How civil was that?

 

[NickNitro]

Mans nature to divide and conquer will always surpass their need to strive for equality and peace. Its a sad truth.

 

[Alex_Spider]

It's not. The only thing stopping a nuclear war is that it's Mutually Assured Destruction and everyone is afraid to use them. Advanced technology hasn't turned everyone passive.

In the 1930's into the 40's the most scientifically advanced country was Germany. How civil was that?

Well by the term "Advanced" we mean the technological capability that will enable us to explore our galaxy and solve the energy shortages. Only then we will perceive our selves as one planet populated only by humanity and not by divided countries. Right now we 're not that advanced so the divisions remain and the pursuit for every country is more land and power through scuffles and wars.

 

[Alex_Spider]

Mans nature to divide and conquer will always surpass their need to strive for equality and peace. Its a sad truth.

I don't think it's "Man's" nature, rather than a direct mentality imposed by the dominant institutions to maintain the few in power and luxurious lifestyle. In short words, governments, the todays equivalent for Kings and Queens, gather and recruit soldiers i.e. the expendable citizens, to fight other soldiers of another country in fear of being conquered. But today's with the internet and the exponential rate of tech advance, I don't think it is that easy to maintain divisions, borders and hatred between humanity.

 

[NickNitro]

I don't think it's "Man's" nature, rather than a direct mentality imposed by the dominant institutions to maintain the few in power and luxurious lifestyle. In short words, governments, the todays equivalent for Kings and Queens, gather and recruit soldiers i.e. the expendable citizens, to fight other soldiers of another country in fear of being conquered. But today's with the internet and the exponential rate of tech advance, I don't think it is that easy to maintain divisions, borders and hatred between humanity.

Man has been dividing and conquering as far back as ancient tribal culture. Its an animalistic desire.

 

[Alex_Spider]

Man has been dividing and conquering as far back as ancient tribal culture. Its an animalistic desire.

I didn't say he didn't. I said he was conditioned in this mentality by those who led him. And as we progress technologically, with the likes of 3d printing, cold fusion energy, automated farming systems, the need for lead and a structured government will diminish since every man would produce his food and goods directly in his comfort of his house with zero cost thanks to unlimited energy. And that's when the need for fighting each other will cease to exist and we will compose a holistic planetary consciousness that will take us to the stars.

 

[Mace Dolex]

Why is it that only place UFO's seem to pop up are in backwood places? you never hear of a UFO spotted in Beverly Hills.

 

[Teelie]

Aliens are partial to moonshine.

 

[NickNitro]

Why is it that only place UFO's seem to pop up are in backwood places? you never hear of a UFO spotted in Beverly Hills.

UFOs fly over major cities all the time. One of the most famous ones is right over Phoenix Arizona.......the Phoenix Lights

Some spotted over San Fran/Brooklyn

http://www.foxnews.com/science/2012/12/12/did-ufos-fly-over-san-francisco-brooklyn/

 

[moviedoors]

http://skeptoid.com/episodes/4041

http://www.skeptic.com/eskeptic/08-05-21/

 

[Alex_Spider]

http://skeptoid.com/episodes/4041

http://www.skeptic.com/eskeptic/08-05-21/

Seems logical. But why didn't this information got out officially from the US Airforce itself when the incident happened?

 

[NickNitro]

Well at least he doesn't come off like a complete pretentious ass.

Tonight we're going to grab our shotguns, jump into our rambling pickup truck, and chase a massive triangular UFO as it courses silently across the American southwest, for we are (once again) on the trail of the infamous Phoenix Lights.

Seems logical. But why didn't this information got out from the mouth of the US Airforce when the incident happened?

This seems odd to me as well. If there was any question and if it was just a simple routine flight over Phoenix, why didnt the local Air Force Base just go to the local news station and squash it immediately?

Seems a bit ridiculous to let this go on for so long.

 

[moviedoors]

Well at least he doesn't come off like a complete pretentious ass.

Tonight we're going to grab our shotguns, jump into our rambling pickup truck, and chase a massive triangular UFO as it courses silently across the American southwest, for we are (once again) on the trail of the infamous Phoenix Lights.

Beyond being sarcastic and overly sensitive about one sentence, what about the actual content of the article? Or the other one?

This seems odd to me as well. If there was any question and if it was just a simple routine flight over Phoenix, why didnt the local Air Force Base just go to the local news station and squash it immediately?

Seems a bit ridiculous to let this go on for so long.

And that counts as evidence of it being a massive space craft how?

 

[Thundercrack85]

http://skeptoid.com/episodes/4041

http://www.skeptic.com/eskeptic/08-05-21/

You know there is something hilariously ironic about the aircraft coming from the Barry Goldwater Range.

Still I'm skeptical. Unless thousands of people were really drunk that night, there's something funny about all this. Not to mention the secrecy. The governor has even come out and said it was certainly not flares (he's also a USAF veteran).

Looks like half of Phoenix is posting their complaints in that second link.