I too am new here in these parts. It's great to see such open and varied discussions. All of you are to be commended for having such a large forum, with so many different views and opinions! Well done.
I have read through this thread, and wow, I had no idea there were so many different types of beliefs in support of extraterrestrials and such. Some seem way out there and nearly kooky, but hey, everyone is entitled. It's been quite the entertaining read.
If I may add a little, my personal view on whether or not theres life beyond earth? I haven't got a clue!!! The day one takes up my parking space with it's vehicle is the day I'll first get pissed for not having a place to park, then I'll quickly remind them, "Hey pal, you ding my door, you buy it!"
But seriously, I just don't know either way. I do know that while there is a mountain of information for and against, I feel that it just might be not too wise for a person to be so adamant they exist or don't exist.
It is my opinion that the jury is still out, WAY out, from making any definative claims one way or the other. I look forward to the undeniable proof though, and actually hope they do for some bored earthling reason.
I really only have a couple things to add here, and mainly they are just personal observations. What has stuckout the most in these type discussions is the tremendous amount of people who are completely convinced, but lack any real solid evidence to back their belief.
Regardless, the aspect that has grabbed my attention is the aspect of space travel. I look at this aspect before I even consider if they even have visited us or not. There were some early comments about space/time and the demands of the laws of physics. This was talked about with the mindset that those laws are proven and without question.
This is quite the narrow minded way of viewing things, and demands an ton of assumption. While it is true that Einsteins work has been really put through academic wringer, the Theory of Relativity is still just that, a theory. many parts seem to have been proven solid and sound, but they are still theory, formulated via mathmatics. These laws of physics seem to be theorically possible and the math may seem to prove it out, but I offer this...
...while we humans have learned a great deal about our existence, it is so completely arrogant to say these laws are the last word! That is not sound scientific reasoning. Case in point, if Einstein's work on Black Holes were solid and irrefutable, then explain how could Stephen Hawkings dare to offer what is know as the Hawking Effect (Hawking Radiation)?
The nerve of him to question our most revered physicist of all time? How? Because they are all mathmatical equations worked out on paper to support a given theory. Theory is not proof, it is an educated suggestion!
Otherwise I suppose that it should rather be called the Law of Relativity. There is a very good reason why they still use the word "theory".
So, my point is this, mankind should not be so quick to think they have the answers, because we simply don't. Infact, the most common argument against long distance space travel is the supposed limitations of the "law" of the speed of light; 186,000 miles per second.
The speed of light theory says all kinds of things, to include the theory that if we were to travel that fast, and it's even claimed we can only get relativly close to it, that there would be all kinds of effects to or by space/time. Oh really? Are we absolutely sure about that? I guess since the mathmatics that we use is without flaw, it must be true, right?
Mathmatics has evolved over the ages, as we have grown in our understanding of it. What we know today, is literally generations beyond what was known even a thousand years ago. There seems to be evidence that mankind knew a lot more about math long ago than what is generally given credit for. The 'ole "lost to the passage of time" thing.
On that premise, surely we cannot say that we have it all figured out today, and have "relearned" everything that may have been lost ages ago? I say hogwash! That's mere human arrogance. This is my personal view, and is completely open to debate, but is still what I think.
I also offer this; the announcment by scientists that claim to have accelerated beyond the speed of light in a vacuum!
http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/g ... 00719.html
http://www.electrogravityphysics.com/ht ... light.html
http://www.ufoevidence.org/topics/speedoflight.htm
Whoa! Stop the presses, this can't be true. Al said it wasn't possible! On the contrary, our friend Albert "theorized" it wasn't possible. What was missing during his time was the technology of today, and what shall we be missing today that will no doubt exist 50 years from now?
Can an extraterretrial life form travel from the outer reaches of our galaxy? I propose there is no way we have the right to say they cannot! At least not yet, for that scientific jury is still out.