Assuming they are existing at a tech level similar or above to ours at the same time as us.
Comment on Aliens Probably Exist - But They’re Staying Silent For a Reason
Onomatopoeia@lemmy.cafe 1 day ago
Even if another life existed out there at an ideal distance to be receiving our first radio signals now, and they could receive it, and they were at a similar enough technology level…
This would also mean they were ~100LY away, or a 200 year cycle to communicate, once they deciphered our signal.
MadMadBunny@lemmy.ca 1 day ago
RickyRigatoni@retrolemmy.com 1 day ago
Yeah with all the time in the universe and how short our civilization has been technological I’m a big fan of the theory that the galaxy is just a big graveyard of civilizations that sprouted and died over the past few billion years. Maybe there’s another few right now dotted around but we’ll never know before we or they die out.
The universe is kinda sad honestly.
MotoAsh@piefed.social 23 hours ago
I mean, even if there were many civilizations, I’m betting that any that are smart enough to explore the cosmos have realized one or multiple of the following:
- It’s possible to ‘explore’ a massive amount of detail without leaving your home system.
- Any civilization that can communicate over vast distances also has vast capability to deliver power to an acute area.
- Any civilization on the cusp of 2 is capable of ridiculous levels of distruction, and it’d be wise to make sure they’re totally peaceful before making them aware of you.
… Also, I’m a firm believer that humans and other megafauna are, well, mega. Humans are insanely massive on the scale of life as we know it, and life may not need to become so massive to never the less spread out. For all we know, Earth is a battlefield of life that is successful in the grand scheme of things, and humans et. al. are like the Death Stars of the ancient civilizations that are very much still alive.
(ok ok that last bit is very hyperbolic but it should still convey the idea!)
kalkulat@lemmy.world 20 hours ago
civilizations that sprouted and died
Maybe there’s something better than civilizations (not that we’ve ever had one yet) and they figured that out and are too blissed to listen.
RickyRigatoni@retrolemmy.com 20 hours ago
We’ve had at least 7 of them
MadMadBunny@lemmy.ca 23 hours ago
I’d say the universe is kinda safe… for now
MotoAsh@piefed.social 23 hours ago
They wouldn’t receive the signal if they’re at the same tech level. Radiation from our communication tapers off well below background levels at 100ly. Maybe if they got lucky and had very, very sensitive instruments aimed our way at the right moment, they might detect something that didn’t fit background, but our power output pales in comparison to the cosmos.
Just look at all the tricks scientists have to pull to communicate with Voyager, and it’s not even outside of the frigging solar system, yet!