*** De-Lurk ***

Ok... So I have more free time on my hands than I was expecting.  Sue me:-)
This one was just irresistable...

Note: I have edited out most of the source post to make this an easy read
and to eliminate elements of the orignal post not relevant to my line of
discussion.

"The_Sage" <a.b@c.com> wrote in message
news:k3rjl0hoeupc86v4t71sh1p8kth1lcjbpd@4ax.com...

I'm certain that intelligent life exists somewhere else other than Earth,

and I

am just as certain, based on the available evidence, that none of that
intelligent life has ever visited us. This is based on objective

demonstrable

evidence and known facts, not mere reports of evidence and unknown facts.

I'm not a "saucerhead", in fact we seem to share a lot of views such as
those you expressed later in this post.  I am also not defending the
previous poster, so there's no need to challenge me with what he said.  You
drew me back in here because you appear to be an honest sceptic rather than
"Raving Lunatic Debunker", I thought your kind was extinct in this
newsgroup:-)

Wouldn't it be more accurate to say that, after reviewing the evidence
available, you do not believe that any alien species have ever visited us?
Don't you think that claiming that you are "certain" that such an event has
not occurred is just as dogmatic a position as the most rabid "saucerhead"?
After all, while there is certainly no conclusive evidence of such
visitations, there is evidence.  The only way it can be claimed that there
is "not one shred of evidence" (the age old cliche) is to adopt a standard
of evidence for which no evidence at all can be shown for many things that
are known to exist, such as the Great Wall of China.  I can certainly
appreciate and respect the opinion of anyone who believes, based on a
preponderance of the evidence, that no alien species have ever visited this
planet.  That is a more than reasonable and rational conclusion based on the
evidence that is available.  But to say that you are "certain" that such an
event has never occured seems too me to be every bit as dogmatic,
unscientific, and biased a position as that held be the most hopeless of
"saucerheads".

I would be very interested in knowing if intelligent life from other solar
systems was or would like to visit us but I doubt a species intelligent

enough

to know how to solve the problem of interstellar travel would be

interested in

interacting with a barbaric species such as ourselves.

Imagine that it is the year 2204 and Earth has just discovered it's first
planet supporting animal life.  On that planet is a species similar to an
Earth gorilla, only much more violent.  Do you believe that we, a species
then-capable of interstellar travel, would have no interest in that barbaric
species?  Wasn't it, in fact, one of our primary motivations for becoming a
species capable of interstellar travel?

I could fantasize about
being an exception to the rule but I know that me and my species are

primitive

and barbaric and it is in my nature to be that way. Could I control my

fear?

Could I accept much different cultures and food? I would welcome any such
strangers to our planet, but I'm not sure if most of humanity shares my
feelings.

I think most people feel the same way.  Unless they start shooting at us, or
moving into our neighborhoods and taking our jobs, they probably would face
more of an uneasyness from most humans than any kind of racial hatred.  Of
course, I could be completely wrong:-)

I've spent all my life looking for anything odd and while I have found

many

things that were odd, none of them were in the category of being

paranormal.

There is no such thing as the paranormal, it is all wishful thinking.

The Sage

But there is nothing what-so-ever "paranormal" about aliens.  They would be
entirely normal.  Simply another real, tangible species that had developed
on another world.  There isn't anything paranormal about that.


-- Marc Michalik
The Rational Proponent, The Teflon Believer, The One and Only Great Wall
Debunker


"If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice."  -- Neil Peart