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> It would change everything! Really? How? What is one aspect of life that would change for anyone not in the space exploration industry?

mr_toad 6y ago
Finding life on another planet, even just single celled organisms, would help with the study of biogenesis, which is one of the greatest mysteries of biology.
perryizgr8 6y ago
Some exotic life form, which did not originate on earth would most likely have interesting features we have never seen before. Scientists could study them and gain insights about alternatives to the biology of earth creatures. Who knows this research may lead to new drugs or procedures we can use to better our lives?
mhh__ 6y ago
Finding proof of the existence of God would not change anyone's lives materially, but you know why it would be important.
- wyre 6y ago
  How would proof of god be found on Mars or through studying biogenesis? It would just raise more questions.
- rendall 6y ago
  Philosophically, I think this is impossible. Even if there were discovered an omniscient, omnipotent being, there would still be question of whether it were supernatural or merely preternatural; the question of its divinity would still be subject to personal belief
furyofantares 6y ago
I'd probably think about it occasionally and smile. It would change our science fiction. Children would learn about it in school from a very young age, or at home in books even younger. They'd grow up knowing Earth life isn't the only life. Religions would slowly adapt to be more palatable to children who grew up this way, or lose favor among the next generation.
jniedrauer 6y ago
It would have significant implications for our long term future (or lack thereof).
ajuc 6y ago
Depends if it's life that has common ancestors with us or not. If life originated independently twice in our Solar System it means whole galaxy should be teeming with it. It doesn't look like it does - so the Great Filter moves from "rise of life" to "rise of complex life", "intelligence", and "technical civilization". That's very bad news for u,, it dramatically increases the odds that technical civilizations usually destroy themselves soon after they develop.
- vagrantJin 6y ago
  > Or They die from a high velocity impact with an asteroid. Planet is wiped clean and nothing suggesting life remains.
rendall 6y ago
Among others mentioned in this thread is: who knows? It's an unknown unknown Maybe nothing. Maybe nanotechnology. Maybe information storage. Maybe photosynthesis. Maybe physics, math. It would almost certainly radically transform biology. One thing is certain: it wouldn't likely have zero effect on human understanding

mr_toad 6y ago

Finding life on another planet, even just single celled organisms, would help with the study of biogenesis, which is one of the greatest mysteries of biology.

perryizgr8 6y ago

Some exotic life form, which did not originate on earth would most likely have interesting features we have never seen before. Scientists could study them and gain insights about alternatives to the biology of earth creatures. Who knows this research may lead to new drugs or procedures we can use to better our lives?

mhh__ 6y ago

Finding proof of the existence of God would not change anyone's lives materially, but you know why it would be important.

wyre 6y ago
How would proof of god be found on Mars or through studying biogenesis? It would just raise more questions.
rendall 6y ago
Philosophically, I think this is impossible. Even if there were discovered an omniscient, omnipotent being, there would still be question of whether it were supernatural or merely preternatural; the question of its divinity would still be subject to personal belief

furyofantares 6y ago

I'd probably think about it occasionally and smile. It would change our science fiction. Children would learn about it in school from a very young age, or at home in books even younger. They'd grow up knowing Earth life isn't the only life. Religions would slowly adapt to be more palatable to children who grew up this way, or lose favor among the next generation.

jniedrauer 6y ago

It would have significant implications for our long term future (or lack thereof).

ajuc 6y ago

Depends if it's life that has common ancestors with us or not. If life originated independently twice in our Solar System it means whole galaxy should be teeming with it. It doesn't look like it does - so the Great Filter moves from "rise of life" to "rise of complex life", "intelligence", and "technical civilization". That's very bad news for u,, it dramatically increases the odds that technical civilizations usually destroy themselves soon after they develop.

vagrantJin 6y ago
> Or They die from a high velocity impact with an asteroid. Planet is wiped clean and nothing suggesting life remains.

rendall 6y ago

Among others mentioned in this thread is: who knows? It's an unknown unknown Maybe nothing. Maybe nanotechnology. Maybe information storage. Maybe photosynthesis. Maybe physics, math. It would almost certainly radically transform biology. One thing is certain: it wouldn't likely have zero effect on human understanding