Chapter 1: The Universe and Life

In a recent article on Space.com, Steven Vogt, an astronomy and astrophysics professor at the University of California, Santa Cruz, expressed his views on the potential for life on Gliese 581g. He stated, “Given the widespread nature of life and its tendency to thrive wherever conditions allow, I personally believe that the likelihood of life on this planet is 100 percent. I have virtually no doubts about it.”

However, one might wonder how the term ‘100%’ correlates with ‘almost no doubts.’ This raises questions about the clarity of his statement. Is it possible he was misquoted? Since when did science hinge on personal feelings? It's no surprise that many struggle to grasp scientific concepts. Interestingly, another article from the same source boldly claims, “Humans Might Be the Only Intelligent Species in the Universe, if Evolution Has Any Influence.” Is this merely sensationalism? Or is it a misstep in reasoning?

Let’s analyze this together and pinpoint any flaws in my argument. My perspective aligns with the Copernican Principle, which asserts that we are not unique. We are neither the center of our solar system nor the galaxy, and certainly not the universe. We are simply an average species on an average planet. Thus, it is reasonable to conclude that life exists elsewhere, with some forms being less intelligent than us, and others possibly more so.

Science highlights how fortunate we are to exist at all, emphasizing that numerous extraordinary events had to occur for us to be here. Is this a product of magical thinking or sheer chance? Does it suggest that divine beings or extraterrestrials facilitated our existence? Or was it a natural outcome of evolution? If we consider all the unique factors leading to our development, can we not infer that something else would have adapted to its environment if it weren’t us? The odds are certainly not zero. If life has emerged here, it is likely occurring elsewhere as well. If we exist, it stands to reason that intelligent life is also out there.

The realm of pseudoscience is vast, and I acknowledge that my arguments may oscillate between the absurd and the plausible. I enjoy engaging in discussions and delving into complex topics. I am comfortable with the notion of, “we lack sufficient evidence, so we cannot draw conclusions at this time.” The subsequent debate often revolves around what constitutes valid evidence. For instance, “Oumuamua” was posited as a possible sign of an artificial construct, yet only one scientist seems to advocate this theory, with reports that a colleague expressed, “I wish that object had never been detected.” This reluctance to entertain evidence that contradicts established paradigms is concerning, particularly when those paradigms reinforce authority and economic stability.

Perhaps it’s time to reconsider funding for science. Science should serve humanity, not the other way around. How many paradigm shifts have we undergone? It seems that nearly every change has resulted in improved living conditions for the majority. While we can always strive for betterment, overall, we currently have more resources, comfort, and medical advancements than ever before. Our challenges do not stem from population or environmental issues but rather from technological and philosophical dilemmas that need addressing, lest we face extinction without the capacity to navigate intelligent solutions.

We need groundbreaking ideas to disrupt the status quo. We should encourage science to illuminate the unknown rather than dictate what we already understand. Evolution? Absolutely! Are humans the sole possessors of intelligence? Highly improbable. In the field of sociology, comparing and contrasting animal behavior is nearly impossible. This is regrettable, as many renowned sociologists have done just that. For instance, Marx argued that the ability to utilize language and tools sets humans apart from animals. Yet, we now know that various animals, such as dolphins, use tools and possess forms of communication. Dolphins have been observed using stones to crack open shellfish and have their own forms of language, demonstrating remarkable social structures that warrant further exploration.

Chapter 2: The Nature of Sentience

Dolphins, for instance, have been shown to recognize themselves and others, possessing auditory signatures akin to names. This raises the question: what limitations prevent them from being labeled as sentient or intelligent based on our current definitions? Must a dolphin communicate in English to be recognized as sentient?

Consider Koko the gorilla, who was known to use sign language. While her communication may not parallel human sophistication, she demonstrated understanding and even deceit, which suggests a capacity for intelligence and awareness of future consequences. For example, when Koko was given a kitten after requesting one—having seen them on television—her actions indicated a level of cognitive ability. When she caused chaos by pulling a sink from the wall, she attributed the mishap to the kitten through sign language. This instance is a clear indication of her sentient nature.

How can scholars claim to seek evidence of extraterrestrial life while being blinded by their own biases? We are all inherently biased, myself included. For years, the idea that plants produce sounds was dismissed despite mounting scientific evidence. Now, it is widely accepted that plants can emit sounds perceptible to humans, often requiring specialized equipment to detect. The complexity of plant behavior regarding resource allocation far exceeds our prior understanding, rendering those who became vegans based on principle somewhat misguided. Importantly, it seems both plants and animals respond to distress in similar ways.

I maintain that there is a 99% probability of life beyond our planet, given that life exists here. Furthermore, I would argue that if life exists elsewhere, there is a 100% chance that intelligence also exists, as I am only moderately convinced that humans possess adequate awareness of other beings to be deemed sentient. If our treatment of potential extraterrestrial intelligence mirrors how we interact with other species on Earth—or even with one another—my confidence would plummet to around 12%.

In a speculative vein, one could postulate that phenomena like Odd Radio Circles hint at wormholes and intergalactic travel. As Carl Sagan once remarked, if nothing exists beyond our planet, then there’s an immense amount of wasted space. Monty Python humorously encapsulated this sentiment in their Galaxy Song, suggesting that perhaps there’s little intelligence to be found here on Earth either.