Re: [GZG] A number of scientists respond to Hawking's concerns about Aliens

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Gzg-l mailing list
Gzg-l@mail.csua.berkeley.edu
http://mail.csua.berkeley.edu:8080/mailman/listinfo/gzg-lWith all due
respect, the most recent research on cat behavior I've read argues that
what appears to be cruelty in cats results from the lack of a killing
instinct. They have the hunting instinct inborn, but they're not born
knowing how to kill prey. Dogs have it; that's why they almost
invariably shake a chew toy when they pick it up (it's a neck-breaker).
Cats have to learn it. Sources available on request, though it may take
a day or so.

Have to admit, the "cat as amoral gunslinger" concept is a lot more
fun...for given values of fun. :-)

Best,
Ken

--- On Tue, 5/11/10, John Tailby <john_tailby@xtra.co.nz> wrote:

From: John Tailby <john_tailby@xtra.co.nz>
Subject: Re: [GZG] A number of scientists respond to Hawking's concerns
about Aliens
To: gzg-l@mail.csua.berkeley.edu
Date: Tuesday, May 11, 2010, 6:32 AM

One interesting point is how common do you think people evolutionary
imperatives are. On earth, every creature competes with everything in
it's evlutionary niche and with creatures in adjacent niches. Chances
are whatever ecosystem you enjoy it's going to be a competitive
environment, whether you are microbes on Titan or some other
environment, it's survival of the toughest.
 
I have a couple of cats. Imagine a society where the intelligent life
form is based on cats. Where the pride dynamics are really strong and in
order for it to work individuals have to cotnrol their base instincts to
individuality. Also cats are cruel, mine enjoy hunting and tormenting
anything that moves just because they can. Also cats are armed and know
that everyone else is so there is a lot of posturing and intimidation
but beware if you cause offence, because they will gut you like a fish.
Kind of sounds like the Predator civilisation.
 
If it takes a considerable effort to get to another planet, and it would
take a large proportion of the world economy to get there at present.
Even a corporate business case to go to the moon or the asteroid belt
would require billions so to get a decent return you would need to find
asteroids of pure gold or similar just floating about. Otherwise no fund
manager is ever going to back you.
 
I always thought that the Aliens were too perfect an organism with a
range of really unlikely capabilities so that it seemed more like the
product of intelligent design rather than random chance. Also it seemed
like the aliens could absorb and incorporate the genetic material of the
creatures they host in. They seemed perfectly designed to destroy
creatures they come into contact with. If they evolved on a planet, how
do they work on their home planet without ripping it appart and killing
everything else and then themselves. Or is their home planet so bad that
the Aliens are nto the Apex predator? Yikes that sounds like a really
bad place to live.
 
BTW what is happening with the American space programme? It sounded like
Obama put the "go back to the moon" programme on hold because that would
require spending money now in favour of a giant double down game with
the promise of a mission to Mars in 20 years. 
So another 2 generations of American astronauts get to sit on the ground
while they wait for the Mars programme to get off the ground. In the
mean time will they have any capability to get into orbit or will they
have to pay for rides in Russian Soyuz capsules?
 
 
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