If life is found to have existed on Mars.....

[Soulrender]

at any point in time in the past, how would we take it?


The ExoMars mission will launch around 2018 with the purpose of searching for past or present biosignatures underneath Mars' surface amongst other goals as well. Could this be the beginning of a new period in our civilization?

[Dethh]

Even if there was life in some form at some point, then what?

[Netherspark]

It's not that big of a deal really.

[Soulrender]

Would it challenge modern cultures to revise their beliefs or perspectives? Most cultures are centralized upon us being the solitary form of life in the universe, no?

[s_bushido]

no?

No, not really. It would be exciting, but I don't think it would be revolutionary, since we'd most likely be talking about very simple life anyway. Finding another civilization out there? Now that would be much more significant.

[Puck]

Would it challenge modern cultures to revise their beliefs or perspectives? Most cultures are centralized upon us being the solitary form of life in the universe, no?

Much like the Dinosaurs, those cultures and religions would dismiss it as Science attacking their beliefs and instead opt to disbelieve it.

[Soulrender]

Much like the Dinosaurs, those cultures and religions would dismiss it as Science attacking their beliefs and instead opt to disbelieve it.

Great point

[Cerus]

Would it challenge modern cultures to revise their beliefs or perspectives? Most cultures are centralized upon us being the solitary form of life in the universe, no?

Cultures no. Religions yes. And they'll do what they've always done when science has made new discoveries that contradict their beliefs. Either ignore them as an attack against their religion or adapt and twist the discoveries to fit their beliefs.

[Soulrender]

No, not really. It would be exciting, but I don't think it would be revolutionary, since we'd most likely be talking about very simple life anyway. Finding another civilization out there? Now that would be much more significant.

Well what if digging under mars' surface unveils ruins or signatures of a previous civilization? It's a stretch, especially because the digging is only 6ft under ground but it's still nice to ponder

- - - Updated - - -

Cultures no. Religions yes. And they'll do what they've always done when science has made new discoveries that contradict their beliefs. Either ignore them as an attack against their religion or adapt and twist the discoveries to fit their beliefs.

I didn't want the thread to derail so I tried using 'cultures' instead of religion :s

[MerinPally]

At the risk of sounding like a wannabe mod, I think this "would religion dismiss it" should probably stop pretty instantaneously or become it's own thread. Either way, it'll lead to a thread closure - lets not make it this one?

If it is found it won't be like a built up civilisation, it'll be bacterial of some form. Prokayotic, maybe some tiny Eukaryotes. Will it be revolutionary? That word is used too much now. It'll be big, noone can underestimate that. The problem will be studying it properly which will greatly hinder any research efforts. It'll be big but it will be limited severely by current technology and how we look at research into space. Even then, if it is found, will things change? Questionable.

[Stormspellz]

most religious hard heads would deny it till they are blue in the face, in the same manor of climate change is denied by the extreme right in the US

[Ghul]

Would it challenge modern cultures to revise their beliefs or perspectives? Most cultures are centralized upon us being the solitary form of life in the universe, no?

"life" is a very broad term :>

even bacteria are a form of life, i dont think that religions will go nuts just because some bacterias used to live on mars :>
if they found old human-like skeletons on mars, then it would be a different story ofc. but thats not gonna happen -ever- :P

[Deleted]

say that it was planted there 6000 years ago.

[Kalyyn]

Assuming it's just old plants or basic animals, I'd have to guess that we'd be all over that shit.

If it's an ancient civilization we find, then suddenly the universe becomes a much darker place. There are only two possible outcomes in that scenario: Either it's extinct, in which case we would bear witness to a failed race, and be the only ones in the universe to remember them. We might never know what happened to them, but we would always fear that we were next. They were our Solar brethren, but cruel destiny had chosen to separate us in time. And we would know that creation is, in fact, cold and uncaring.

Or perhaps they are not extinct. Maybe they fled their home world. But that only raises more questions. What were they fleeing from? Are we in danger? Will they ever come back for us? Do they even know we're here, now walking upon the lands they once called home? And did they survive their journey? Did they find whatever they were looking for, out there in the void? If we ever found them, would we be able to tell them of the things we've seen? Could we even find them?

I just don't know. It's such a terrifying prospect, but mankind will have to bravely face these possibilities one day.

[Wildtree]

at any point in time in the past, how would we take it?


The ExoMars mission will launch around 2018 with the purpose of searching for past or present biosignatures underneath Mars' surface amongst other goals as well. Could this be the beginning of a new period in our civilization?

If it has existed we cannot take it anymore..
If we ever find extraterrestrial life, it would however suit us as humans, how we'd attempt to take that life.. After all, we excel in the ability and willingness to kill.. Especially things we don't understand we kill even with pleasure....

[Kalyyn]

As for the question of how the religious would react, it should be noted that some of the top Vatican clergy endorse the big bang theory and admit the possibility of alien life.
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/vatican-...ity-of-aliens/

[Guts the Black Swordsman]

Well DUH!!! Of course there is going to be signs of life on Mars... it should be obvious that they were put there by Satan to test your faith!

[Dezerte]

* The science community and those of us who are interested in science would jump out of joy.
* Most people couldn't care less, and carry on their daily lives as usual.
* And some people will see it as an attack on their beliefs, and make some noise about it.

I think that covers it.

[Deleted]

As for the question of how the religious would react, it should be noted that some of the top Vatican clergy endorse the big bang theory and admit the possibility of alien life.
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/vatican-...ity-of-aliens/

I've said it before and i'll say it again; The new pope is a boss.

[Slant]

at any point in time in the past, how would we take it?

Don't know about you, but I'll throw one heck of a giant "The world is at an end" party with lots of booze, drugs and rock'n'roll. After that, I will animate everyone to jump off the next bridge, because the world is ending, right?