Re: SETI sci.astro.seti newsgroup created

hal@finney.org
Mon, 1 Nov 1999 12:40:53 -0800

Eliezer S. Yudkowsky, <sentience@pobox.com>, writes:
> Considering the sheer oddness of the Fermi Paradox, I'd say that any
> theory with a self-consistent, cognitively plausible, and
> evidence-consistent account of how the aliens *are* here deserves
> serious consideration. And I should think that most believers in the
> Judeo-Christian tradition would regard the suggestion that *any* miracle
> was produced by mortal-level aliens as being blasphemy.

Who cares what the religious think?

I want to know what you and other Extropians think. Is it plausible that Jesus was an alien? How likely would you view that to be?

Do you look at other religious miracles in the same way - judging whether they would be doable with technology that we can foresee, and if so, that they might well have represented ET activity?

How about today? If you were an ET here, and compassionate, but determined to allow the civilization to develop roughly on its natural course, mightn't you still want to help those around you in a small way? Nothing that would be noticed or attract attention, but maybe a little healing now and then, a touch of magic when needed? Do you think it likely that such beings exist and are active in our world?

Hal