Of Galactic Farming – And UFO Propaganda
This https://lweb.cfa.harvard.edu/~loeb/LK1.pdf is a review paper that discusses the physical constraints on Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP) based on standard physics and known forms of matter and radiation. It explores the possibility that some UAP could be artificial probes from an extraterrestrial civilization that are interested in exploring habitable planets like Earth. The paper uses examples of interstellar objects like ‘Oumuamua and IM2 to illustrate the challenges and opportunities of detecting and studying such probes with existing and future instruments. It was written by Abraham Loeb and Sean Kirkpatrick, the latter of AARO fame – which makes it seem like the Government is just teasing us once again.
As far as writing something like this, is it science or propaganda? Some tabloids ran headlines with the idea and claimed all sorts of wild things, adding that an alien mother-ship was confirmed by the Pentagon and in the atmosphere. Although the paper discusses the possibility of extraterrestrial probes visiting Earth and the expected signatures they would produce in the atmosphere, mixing in the head of a newly minted Government UFO Office seems especially suspicious. The paper uses standard physics and known forms of matter and radiation to derive physical constraints on the interpretations of “highly maneuverable” Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP). The paper also reviews some recent discoveries of interstellar objects and meteors that could be related to artificial origin. Yet the question remains, where are the aliens?
All of this brings to mind a quote by Charles Fort – ‘The Earth is a farm. We are someone else’s property.’ A terrifying notion if you think deeply about it, but is it possible this could be the case? What would that look like and what sort of property would humans be exactly? The standard laundry list for alien interest in Earth is interesting, but compelling as a theory is a harder pill to swallow.
Charles Fort’s statement suggests that humans are not the dominant species on Earth, but rather are controlled or owned by some other entity. If this idea were true, it would imply a very different perspective on the nature of our existence and our relationship with the world around us. Here are some possible implications of this idea:
Purposeful manipulation: If humans are someone else’s property, it would suggest that we were deliberately created or modified for a specific purpose. This purpose could be anything from serving as workers or soldiers to being bred as a food source. The idea of humans being genetically engineered by some other entity is not entirely new in science fiction, and some have even proposed the possibility that we are living in a simulation created by a more advanced civilization.
Lack of autonomy: If humans are property, it would suggest that we have very little control over our own lives and destiny. Our actions, choices, and even thoughts could be predetermined or manipulated by the entity that owns us. This would mean that our ideas of free will, individuality, and self-determination are all illusions.
Competition with other “farms”: If Earth is just one of many “farms” owned by different entities, it could imply that there is competition among these entities for resources or other purposes. Humans might be viewed as a valuable commodity or resource, and the entity that owns us might be in conflict with other entities that have their own “farms.”
Possible liberation: If humans are someone else’s property, it could suggest the possibility of liberation or rebellion. If we were able to understand our situation and gain enough knowledge and power, we might be able to break free from our owners and become a truly autonomous species. This idea is explored in many science fiction stories and has parallels with human struggles for freedom throughout history.
If Earth is just one of many “farms” owned by different entities, it could imply that there is competition among these entities for resources or other purposes. The concept of Earth being viewed as a “farm” suggests that humans are seen as a resource to be exploited or utilized in some way. This implies that humans are not the only intelligent species in the universe and that there may be other civilizations with their own agendas and goals.
In this scenario, it’s possible that humans are not the only species being farmed. Other species may be farmed for different purposes such as food or labor. The entities that own these farms could be in competition with each other for resources, territory, or even for control over different species.
Competition among alien civilizations could potentially lead to conflicts, both on Earth and beyond. It’s possible that humans could become caught in the middle of a larger conflict between competing alien factions. Alternatively, humans could be viewed as a valuable resource by one or more of these factions, leading to potential conflicts over control and ownership of Earth.
Furthermore, the idea that Earth is one of many “farms” could also have implications for the way we view the universe and our place in it. If there are many intelligent species out there, each with their own motivations and goals, it could challenge our idea of humans as the pinnacle of creation or the most important species in the universe. It could also lead to questions about the nature of life and consciousness and our understanding of what it means to be intelligent.
Overall, the idea that Earth is a “farm” suggests a much more complex and interconnected universe than we currently understand. It opens up the possibility for new discoveries and understanding of the universe and our place in it.
If humans are someone else’s property, it could suggest the possibility of liberation or rebellion. If we were able to understand our situation and gain enough knowledge and power, we might be able to break free from our owners and become a truly autonomous species. The idea of human liberation from some other entity that owns us is a common theme in science fiction, where humans often rebel against oppressive alien overlords or AI systems. If humans were able to break free, it would be a significant shift in our understanding of our place in the universe and our relationship with other intelligent entities.
However, the idea of human liberation is also fraught with difficulties and uncertainties. If we are truly someone else’s property, then we may not have the knowledge, resources, or technology to challenge our owners. Our very existence may be dependent on the needs and desires of the entity that owns us, and any rebellion could result in catastrophic consequences for our species. Furthermore, if we were able to break free, it’s unclear what our future would hold. Would we be able to build a new society based on our own values and principles, or would we simply replicate the same systems of oppression and control that we experienced before?
The idea of human liberation raises important ethical questions about our relationship with other intelligent entities, whether they be aliens or AI systems. It also challenges our assumptions about the nature of consciousness, autonomy, and free will. If we are someone else’s property, then what does it mean to be truly free?
Ultimately, the idea of human liberation from some other entity that owns us remains a speculative and philosophical one. However, it raises important questions about the nature of our existence and our relationship with the universe. It challenges us to consider our own values and principles, and to imagine a future in which humans are truly autonomous and free.
To go deeper down this rabbit hole, the ideas become more wild and possibly even more sinister. What other options exist for a Charles Fort style galaxy where humans are merely property?
Human experiments: If Earth is a farm and humans are someone else’s property, it’s possible that we are being used for experimentation. The entities that own us might be conducting scientific studies to learn more about human biology, psychology, and behavior. This could include experiments on our brains, nervous systems, or even our DNA.
Alien zoos: Another possibility is that humans are being kept in captivity like animals in a zoo. The entities that own us might be using Earth as a sort of intergalactic wildlife preserve, where they can observe and study the behavior of different species, including humans.
Spiritual enlightenment: Charles Fort’s quote suggests that humans might be serving some other purpose beyond just being a resource for another species. It’s possible that the entities that own us view us as spiritual beings, and are using Earth as a sort of spiritual retreat or monastery. Humans might be undergoing some kind of spiritual training or enlightenment, under the guidance of our alien overlords.
Terrariums: Another possibility is that Earth is being used as a sort of terrarium or petri dish for alien life forms. The entities that own us might be using Earth to cultivate and observe different forms of life, including humans. This could be part of a larger effort to understand the nature of life and consciousness in the universe.
Time loop: Charles Fort’s quote raises the possibility that humans are trapped in some kind of time loop or simulation. The entities that own us might be using Earth as a sort of sandbox, where they can test different scenarios and outcomes. Humans might be reliving the same events over and over again, with no memory of our previous experiences.
Virtual reality: Finally, it’s possible that humans are living in a virtual reality simulation created by the entities that own us. In this scenario, our entire existence could be a computer program, designed to simulate a real-world environment. The entities that own us might be using this simulation for entertainment, education, or scientific research.
When compared to the vanilla basic ideas of why aliens might have an interest in us, the ‘science list’ is incredibly boring.
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Scientific curiosity: Aliens may be interested in humans simply for scientific reasons. They might study human biology, psychology, culture, and technology to understand how life forms develop in different environments. (Likelihood: 80%)
Resources: Aliens may be interested in Earth’s resources, such as water, minerals, and energy sources. They may view humans as a potential obstacle or asset in accessing these resources. (Likelihood: 60%)
Genetic diversity: Aliens might have their own biological or technological limitations and may seek out new sources of genetic diversity. They may be interested in studying and potentially integrating human genes into their own species. (Likelihood: 30%)
Colonization: Aliens may have their own reasons for wanting to colonize Earth, such as overpopulation or environmental destruction on their own planet. Humans may be viewed as a threat or opportunity in achieving this goal. (Likelihood: 20%)
Communication: Aliens may be interested in establishing communication with humans, either for scientific, cultural, or diplomatic reasons. They may see humans as a potentially valuable ally or a potential threat. (Likelihood: 40%)
Spiritual or philosophical reasons: Aliens may have their own beliefs and philosophies that drive their interest in humans. They may see humans as a potential source of wisdom, inspiration, or enlightenment. (Likelihood: 10%)
Experimentation or entertainment: Aliens may be interested in humans as a source of experimentation or entertainment. They may view humans as a lesser life form, and subject them to experimentation or observation for their own amusement. (Likelihood: 5%)
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One possible implication of this paper for the search for extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI) is that it provides a framework for testing the hypothesis of extraterrestrial probes visiting Earth by looking for observable signatures in the atmosphere, such as optical fireballs, ionization shells and tails, and radio emissions. These signatures would depend on the physical properties and velocities of the probes, as well as the ambient air density. The paper also suggests that some interstellar objects and meteors detected by astronomical surveys could be artificial in origin and warrant further investigation. Another possible implication of this paper for SETI is that it challenges some of the assumptions and methods of traditional SETI, which mainly focuses on searching for electromagnetic signals from distant civilizations.
The paper argues that extraterrestrial probes could be more likely to use autonomous devices equipped with artificial intelligence and self-replication capabilities, rather than biological entities or radio transmissions, to explore the galaxy. The paper also proposes that extraterrestrial probes could target habitable planets with liquid water and vegetation, such as Earth, and deploy trans-medium probes that can move between space, air, and water. These scenarios would require different strategies and instruments for detection and characterization than conventional SETI.
Is this world a Galactic Zoo, or something else entirely?