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What If We Discovered A Planet Where Intelligent Life Destroyed Itself?

rhinefire

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As man searches the heavens for some trace of life what if we had the technology to visually witness a planet that had intelligent life but destroyed itself by war or environmental ignorance? What impact would it have compared to simply discovering a planet with a life form elsewhere?
 
"Let's not take that route."
 
Some say Mars met some sort of similar fate. (climate change in particular)
 
It would have no impact or shall I say.... very little if any impact. The human condition is one that collectively learns through experience. However that experience through the natural cycle of death and rebirth is removed within 4-5 generations such that only history accounts for such acts, which is not enough of a deterrent by itself to avoid a self imposed destruction.

Now if that history is built into the society and culture over a long period of time it may be enough however, the only lessons of that magnitude are accounted for in doctrines such as those found in religion where belief and faith play a role.
 
As man searches the heavens for some trace of life what if we had the technology to visually witness a planet that had intelligent life but destroyed itself by war or environmental ignorance?

Easter Island, unsustainable tree harvesting.

Midden contents show that the main source of protein was tuna and dolphin. With the loss of the trees, there was a sudden drop in the quantities of fish bones found in middens as the islanders lost the means to construct fishing vessels, coinciding with a large increase in bird bones. This was followed by a decrease in the number of bird bones as birds lost their nesting sites or became extinct. A new style of art from this period shows people with exposed ribs and distended bellies, indicative of malnutrition, and it is around this time that many islanders moved to living in fortified caves and the first signs of warfare and cannibalism appear. Soil erosion because of lack of trees is apparent in some places. Sediment samples document that up to half of the native plants had become extinct and that the vegetation of the island drastically altered. Polynesians were primarily farmers, not fishermen, and their diet consisted mainly of cultivated staples such as taro root, sweet potato, yams, cassava, and bananas. With no trees to protect them, sea spray led to crop failures exacerbated by a sudden reduction in fresh water flows. There is evidence that the islanders took to planting crops in caves beneath collapsed ceilings and covered the soil with rocks to reduce evaporation. Cannibalism occurred on many Polynesian islands, sometimes in times of plenty as well as famine. Its presence on Easter Island (based on human remains associated with cooking sites, especially in caves) is supported by oral histories.
Easter Island - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia


What impact would it have compared to simply discovering a planet with a life form elsewhere?

The significance would be extra-terrestrial life, not the obvious consequences of environmental degradation. We see those consequences every day.
 
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We'd scour it to find new technology.
 
As man searches the heavens for some trace of life what if we had the technology to visually witness a planet that had intelligent life but destroyed itself by war or environmental ignorance? What impact would it have compared to simply discovering a planet with a life form elsewhere?

I think we will be the "intelligent" species that will have destroyed themselves for others to find IMO.
 
As man searches the heavens for some trace of life what if we had the technology to visually witness a planet that had intelligent life but destroyed itself by war or environmental ignorance? What impact would it have compared to simply discovering a planet with a life form elsewhere?

We'd say, "Look at what those poor saps did! It's a good thing we're smarter than they were!"

then, we'd go back to building bombs and using more water than nature gives us, just as we're doing now.
 
As man searches the heavens for some trace of life what if we had the technology to visually witness a planet that had intelligent life but destroyed itself by war or environmental ignorance? What impact would it have compared to simply discovering a planet with a life form elsewhere?

It would have absolutely no impact at all, unless we found a way to raid and harvest the resources they no longer need.
 
As man searches the heavens for some trace of life what if we had the technology to visually witness a planet that had intelligent life but destroyed itself by war or environmental ignorance? What impact would it have compared to simply discovering a planet with a life form elsewhere?

Well, if it impacted corporate profitability, the GOP would deny that it ever happened no matter how strong the evidence.
 
As man searches the heavens for some trace of life what if we had the technology to visually witness a planet that had intelligent life but destroyed itself by war or environmental ignorance? What impact would it have compared to simply discovering a planet with a life form elsewhere?

It probably wouldn't have any impact, but I would like to think it would make humans pause and give consideration to our acts and understand that while our potential is neigh unlimited, we must be careful with how we act towards ourselves because we can be gods or we can be the devil and the latter will not have a positive conclusion.
 
As man searches the heavens for some trace of life what if we had the technology to visually witness a planet that had intelligent life but destroyed itself by war or environmental ignorance? What impact would it have compared to simply discovering a planet with a life form elsewhere?

We would know we had found Kobol.
 
Isn't there some theory that the reason we haven't come in contact with alien civilisations is that any intelligent species has a self imposed apocalypse once they reach a certain level of technological advancement?

Conclusion: our doom is inevitable.
 
As man searches the heavens for some trace of life what if we had the technology to visually witness a planet that had intelligent life but destroyed itself by war or environmental ignorance? What impact would it have compared to simply discovering a planet with a life form elsewhere?
Someone would blame Bush.
 
Isn't there some theory that the reason we haven't come in contact with alien civilisations is that any intelligent species has a self imposed apocalypse once they reach a certain level of technological advancement?

Conclusion: our doom is inevitable.

Or the reality is its impossible to travel or communicate between stars, no matter how good your technology is.

Or we are on some sort of nature preserve.
 
What If We Discovered A Planet Where Intelligent Life Destroyed Itself?

We already did. It's called Planet Earth. ;)
 
but only if he decided to invade it.
Frankly, I think all contingencies on blaming Bush have long since expired. It's now a free-for-all, an open season on blaming him - regardless the topic. ;)
 
As man searches the heavens for some trace of life what if we had the technology to visually witness a planet that had intelligent life but destroyed itself by war or environmental ignorance? What impact would it have compared to simply discovering a planet with a life form elsewhere?
I think it's naive to suppose it might give us pause for thought. The people who order our lives are weaklings, morons and scumbags. We also have a gift for denial.
 
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