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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.

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.
 

I think we will be the "intelligent" species that will have destroyed themselves for others to find IMO.
 

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.
 

It would have absolutely no impact at all, unless we found a way to raid and harvest the resources they no longer need.
 

Well, if it impacted corporate profitability, the GOP would deny that it ever happened no matter how strong the evidence.
 

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.
 

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.
 
Someone would blame Bush.
 

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.
 
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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