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Maybe aliens don't want peace and understanding on Earth (lemmy.ca)
submitted 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago) by otter@lemmy.ca to c/showerthoughts@lemmy.world
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This is a thought experiment that came up just now

Historically, global powers have meddled with the internal affairs of smaller countries and regions, hurting their chances for peace and stability. Sometimes it was for profit, sometimes it was to maintain or shift the balance of power in their favour.

What if that applies even further out, and part of the reason why we can't work towards something collectively is because it threatens those same incentives above? Alternatively, if it hasn't happened yet, it could still be something to keep in mind as a future possibility.

Now before they realize we're onto them and decide to pay us a visit:

  1. If the reason for the meddling is that a united humanity could pose a threat, it doesn't have to. As smaller regions on earth achieved peace and understanding, they could then start working on that with larger regions. So progress doesn't have to end with a united humanity.
  2. Please don't.
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[-] Chickenstalker@lemmy.world 16 points 9 months ago

  1. There are literally billions of stars in our galaxy alone

  2. Most stars have planets

  3. An interstellar civilization capable of routine interstellar travel will have literally NO REASON to bother with wars or invasions. They can simply go to another star system for practically limitless resources.

[-] intensely_human@lemm.ee 3 points 9 months ago

Just like a six year old kid has NO REASON to torture bugs

[-] Pat_Riot@lemmy.today 2 points 9 months ago

But that might be less fun to them. They might simply enjoy building up and knocking down civilizations like dominos.

[-] nomecks@lemmy.world 1 points 9 months ago

You should check out the grabby alien theory.

[-] shalafi@lemmy.world 1 points 9 months ago

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dark_forest_hypothesis

Thoughts? Also, there's the notion that, "technology implies belligerence".

[-] Cosmicomical@lemmy.world 1 points 9 months ago

This theory is a self-fulfilling prophecy, it doesn't need to be that way, unless you convince enough people that it has to be that way.

[-] shalafi@lemmy.world 1 points 9 months ago

You totally lost me. Both hypotheses revolve around what the other game player is doing and thinking. That's not a thing that can be controlled by the first party.

this post was submitted on 01 Dec 2023
62 points (85.2% liked)

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