Stephen Hawking Thinks Aliens Likely

OMNIpotusCOM writes "Noted astrophysicist Stephen Hawking thinks that alien life is likely, albeit primitive, according to a lecture delivered at George Washington University in honor of NASA's 50th anniversary. It begs the question of if we need to consider a Prime Directive before exploring or sending signals too far into the depths of space."

okk..

[caffeinemessiah]

It begs the question of if we need to consider a Prime Directive before exploring or sending signals too far into the depths of space.

You're absolutely right! We should definitely set hold back on all the space exploration we've been doing. Also, we should set physical limits for our transmissions to "expire" after a certain distance, so we don't send them "too far". In fact, that would be the only responsible thing to do for Masters of the Universe such as us.

Directive Prime

[dark grep]

A prime directive is a great idea. It provides the 100% certainty that it will not be followed any in instance the plot line requires it.

But...but...

[dreamchaser]

But...but...the sumbitter managed to insert a spurious Star Trek reference!!! Surely that is newsworthy!

Re:But The Real Question:

[superash]

...they are just waiting for us to formulate the ultimate question for which the answer is 42!

Prime Directive my shiny metal ass!

[benwiggy]

Was there a planet that Kirk/Picard/Janeway didn't leave in a fundamentally different state after turning up?
Humans are designed to trade, travel and exploit resources. Then move on when there are too many tourists.
Frankly, I'm surprised there isn't aready a Prime Directive that reads:
"See that blue/green planet with all the space junk and EM noise? You want to leave that one well alone!"

Nope

[Cro Magnon]

The Prime Directive applies when an advanced culture encounters a more primitive one. While I think there is alien life out there, I seriously doubt that we'll find anyone more primitive than us.

Re:okk..

[Anonymous Coward]

we should set physical limits for our transmissions to "expire" after a certain distance

New York - April 22, 2008 - The RIAA/MPAA today announced a new initiative targetting so-called "transmission sharing." A spokesperson for the group is quoted as saying "just because an intelligent alien signal has been put out there - illegally - in the public domain doesn't mean the recording label doesn't deserve their fair cut of the action." As with the ongoing file-sharing battle, technology will play a pivotal role in the battle against transmission sharers. Several not-for-profit SETI organizations are reporting that signals are mysteriously "expiring" at a certain distance from the earth. "It's making our work unnecessarily complicated" one researcher is quoted as saying.

The Prime Directive is Evil

[kylben]

It begs the question of if we need to consider a Prime Directive

"Hello Mr. Alien. Welcome to our planet. Boy, you sure are more advanced than us!"

"Why, yes, we are, thank you. By the way, I couldn't help noticing that many of you still die from cancer."

"'Still die'? You mean you don't?"

"Oh, no, we cured that a long time ago. Same for that crooked politician thing you've got going. And war. Oh, and that thing you call 'Alzheimers', too. And global warming. We don't have any of that. They all turned out to be really simple to fix, in fact."

"Really? that's wonderful. Will you teach us how to solve these things."

"What? No, no, child, your culture isn't ready for all that. Besides, you're so cute the way you are. No, we'll just stay up in our ships and watch you figure it out. It will probably take several more generations, but that's OK, with our advanced medical technology, we will live long enough to see it... unless you wipe yourselves out in the process, that is. He he. You amuse us."

"Asshole"

Re:No begging

[sm62704]

Please? Please? Just ONE question? PLEASE?

Aliens are avoiding us

[athloi]

They've seen our television.

Not only are the game shows bad, the soap operas moronic, and the news hours obviously paid advertisements, but our shopping network features declasse technology.

From what they can tell, showing up on earth and saying "I am an alien" is a quick way to get a dead-end job in food service.

They're hanging out in the horsehead nebula, periodically manipulating us with botnets comprised of compromised Windows machines.

Re:Prime Directive my shiny metal ass!

[Stooshie]

Humans are designed ...

really?

Re:No begging

[trolltalk.com]

No that's stillnot right. The correct sentence structure would be "I bought a soda for my wife and another for myself, so she wouldn't feel guilty drinking it.

You stil don't have it right. "I bought a soda for your wife, and a double shot of rum for myself, because your wife is so fugly that even drunk, she scares me!"

Re:But The Real Question:

[SterlingSylver]

The best evidence for intelligent life in the universe is that it hasn't contacted us yet
(Paraphrasing Calvin)

Re:too much st

[CmdrGravy]

I don't know what this Prime Dircetive actually says but if it's something along the lines of

1) Subjugate and conquer any species you encounter against which you can prevail with military might.
2) Use diplomacy and survelliance/espionage techinques to undermine any species against whom you are not guaranteed to prevail to bring about their downfall and leave you in control of their resources.
3) Attempt to avoid or form favourable alliances with anything you come across which is stronger than you.
4) ...
5) Profit

1st Contact

[bareman]

First contact protocol:

Anonymous stealth mission
Objective: How do they taste?

It's possible that there is other life elsewhere, and nearly a certainty that it exists elsewhen.

We just need to work out how to get there after it exists and before it's "Best if eaten by" date.

Re:Prime Directive my shiny metal ass!

[benwiggy]

I should know better to ask a question about Star Trek on Slashdot - even a rhetorical one..........

Re:Fictional rules will be no help

[kaens]

Not to mention that there are a whole lot more reasons to ignore the "Prime Directive" - think about it. If you land on a planet that is less developed than yours, but happens to have intelligent life on it that you can communicate with in some way, you get to be freaking gods.

Re:Why is this newsworthy?

[ip_vjl]

but also that "copies" of Earth and you and me exist somewhere

But we'll have goatees.

Re:Why is this newsworthy?

[bowlingfreak]

What this means is that in an infinite universe that has totally random initial conditions, every possible state will be realized somewhere.

Excellent! All we need to do is find the planets where gasoline flows in oceans and Ferraris grow on trees and I'll be set!

Re:Why is this newsworthy?

[Anonymous Coward]

Population of the Universe: none.

It is known that there are an infinite number of worlds, simply because there is an infinite amount of space for them to be in. However, not every one of them is inhabited. Therefore, there must be a finite number of inhabited worlds. Any finite number divided by infinity is as near to nothing as makes no odds, so the average population of all the planets in the Universe can be said to be zero. From this it follows that the population of the whole Universe is zero, and that any people you may meet from time to time are merely the products of a deranged imagination.

Re:No begging

[stoofa]

Yes, you might actually be right.

I shall bid good day to your good self while I go and discipline myself... and my wife.

Re:No begging

[Fear the Clam]

You're that guy at parties no one wants to talk to because he's so damned pedantic.

Fixed that for you.

Re:too much st

[PFI_Optix]

Nonsense. An unknown computer genius would write a virus for their vast computer system after three days of exposure to it, and then upload it by way of a MacBook, crippling their defenses and allowing a ragtag band of fighter pilots (very few of whom have actually flown the planes they've been given) to take down the invader's superweapons. Technology's got nothing on good old corporate-sponsored flag-waving feel-good heroic ingenuity.

Re:Fictional rules will be no help

[BillyBlaze]

But that gets really annoying, and you have to spend a whole episode explaining how you're not, and you might need to get shot with primitive weapons to prove your mortality.

Re:Why is this newsworthy?

[BillyBlaze]

I'm pretty sure that's B_S

Re:Fictional rules will be no help

[fracai]

Oh, now I get it. Jesus didn't rise from the dead. He was just beamed back to his mother ship. And the Star of Bethlehem was that ship arriving before they got the cloaking device ironed out.

That makes so much more sense.

Re:No begging

[Anonymous Coward]

Let's give credit where credit is due. He spelled both you're and its correctly!

Re:Question:

[Chris Burke]

I've seen that show. The first season was good, but it went down hill after that.

I didn't know it was made by aliens. Pretty cool. I hope they think to release it on DVD.

Anonymous Coward

[Anonymous Coward]

Aliens, likewise, think that Stephen Hawking is likely.