Why do people believe Alien visitation is impossible simple due to the distance involved?

Question

Why do people believe Alien visitation is impossible simple due to the distance involved?

Answer 1

I have never said impossible.  I *have* said improbable.  Even if we assume ET aliens have the technology to travel across galaxies, I think it's very improbable they would be able to find us.  There are more stars in the universe than there are grains on sand on this planet.  What are the odds someone will come across our grain of sand?  I say unlikely.  Watch the opening to the movie Contact for a good illustration of just how small our planet is.

Now, just because I am personally incredulous doesn't mean it can't happen, but given the lack of evidence otherwise I am comfortable with this position.

Answer 2

If there are any aliens, they're probably not very advanced beyond us technologically.  Most planets are around 4 billion years old or so.  It took almost 1 billion years for the first life to develop on Earth.  From there, it's taken 3 and a half billion years to advance to where we are now.  The farthest we've gone is about 5 light-minutes from Earth - to Mars.  The closest planet outside our solar system is 4.5 light-years away.  They would have had to develop at a much more accelerated rate than we did in order to travel such distances.

Answer 3

They're scarred. They fear the unknown. Ignorance. Some people for religious reasons- God can create beings on other planets too ya know.

Answer 4

Some take that position because of the speed-of-light speed limit imposed by the theory of relativity, and the fact that stars and galaxies are hundred, thousands, even millions of light-years away. It's a potent argument.

Still, there is some conjecture about taking shortcuts via "wormholes" in space, and while this idea is not by any means confirmed scientifically, it does have its proponents.

Answer 5

Because it's the most obvious reason.A pretty darn good one I think.

Answer 6

Because scientists haven't found other life form in our galaxy and the nearest galaxy, the Andromeda takes light years to get there, which is about a million or billion Earth years. It's just too far away.

Answer 7

I don't think it's the distance that makes them not believe. Its the fact that its so impossible. The fact that they can't hold and touch and see the evidence in their own eyes.

And even then, some would refuse to believe.

Answer 8

Which "people" are you referring to?

Who would have thought a 9/11 was possible? What if the Phoenix Mars Lander discovers bacteria in suspended animation?

I think distance is a minor factor where intelligent beings are concerned.

There will always be individuals who won't believe until something contrary to their beliefs actually happens. Until then, I wouldn't sweat it.

Answer 9

Because they cannot grasp the concept of how seriously insignificant planet earth really is.  It would make us not so important and special....but really this place is just a spec in a humongous, expanding universe, anything is possible.

I think it also might be because if alien visitation and life on other planets is possible, that might bring up a lot of questions about the god they believe in and we CAN'T have that! no, no, no!

Answer 10

someone start passing out coffee to these people cause they really need to wake up! they have had bases here for thousands of years. is there any question that they're reproducing to? not a member of the whats up posse? i know that i know whats up! the hippie strikes again!!!!!!

Answer 11

They are thinking with the same mindset people thought with years ago. I was considered impossible for man to ever fly at one time. The science of the day said it was not likely.

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