Do you believe that there are aliens in the known Universe?

[Guest 37stitches]

I do, however I don't think there is any intelligent life out there. I think that if there are aliens out there that they are either incredibly basic or quite primal beings. As a man of science I want to believe that the Drake equation rings true and there is intelligent life out there as that would be so damn exciting but the Fermi paradox puts that to sleep for me. 

 

What do you think? Are your opinions fueled by science or by an unshakable self-belief that there are/are not aliens out there? I'm interested to know! 

[LittleGirlEmilia]

I think there are advanced civilisations, I hope one day they abduct me and take me back to their home planet. Sort of like a bad sci-fi romance novel. A girl can dream... 

[Guest Moosebaby142]

We are the aliens

[LittleTeacup]

I find it hard to believe Earth is the only location of life in the universe (if indeed our universe is the only one). Unless it's all part of the illusion. But what makes us think we'll be able to recognize it? We're still not even sure if viruses are alive or not.

 

Also, define "intelligent life". Life that resembles us? Life with compatible communication systems? Consciousness? In my opinion, until scientists can recognize the great intelligence of the 800 year old tree or the intricate balance of an intact ecosystem, they'll never recognize intelligence in beings even farther removed from their preconceived notions.

[VentralStriatum]

It's funny, given how large it is the chance that there's some other planet with a similar situation to Earth is pretty much 100%, but I don't think we'll ever get to meet them. Also, if we buy into simulation theory, it's possible that we don't necessarily have anyone else living in "our" universe, but that a parent race created virtually infinite parallel universes with species in them. Given that we've already created virtual worlds (World of Warcraft comes to mind), and with how AI is advancing, we could reasonably expect to create our own universe pretty soon, continuing this cycle of creation. If you consider that "alien life" then we'll definitely be able to contact them, considering we literally created them, and mess with them the same way people believe they do in our own world. Kinda makes you wonder.