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00:00 In modern times, it might be said that human beings have become kind of obsessed with finding

00:04 alien life.

00:06 But still, no matter how ardently we search, we've yet to uncover clear, irrefutable

00:11 proof of anything beyond Earth.

00:13 On the one hand, that's frustrating.

00:15 In the words of the infamous 2019 craze around Area 51, "Isn't it about time we see them

00:21 aliens?"

00:22 But, on the other hand, could it be that the real reason we're not finding anything on

00:26 our side is because the tables have already been turned against us?

00:31 This is Unveiled, and today we're answering the extraordinary question; have aliens already

00:36 discovered us?

00:39 Do you need the big questions answered?

00:40 Are you constantly curious?

00:42 Then why not subscribe to Unveiled for more clips like this one?

00:45 And ring the bell for more thought-provoking content!

00:48 Let's embark on a monumental journey; a voyage through space, where galaxies stretch out

00:53 like cosmic cities, stars sparkle like diamonds, and planets dance in tune to a grand celestial

00:59 rhythm that's entirely without end.

01:02 Our galaxy alone, the Milky Way, houses more than 100 billion stars, and the observable

01:08 universe in total contains up to two trillion galaxies.

01:12 The sheer scale is mind-boggling, making our tiny blue world seem like a mere speck of

01:17 a speck in the far wider picture.

01:20 For many, this alone is reason enough to believe that we are not alone.

01:24 In a universe of infinite possibilities, they say, aliens simply have to exist.

01:28 So, now let's imagine that they do.

01:31 Why on Earth (or, indeed, on any other planet) should we then assume that it would be us

01:36 who'd discover them?

01:37 Clearly, given our limited technology when it comes to space exploration, and again the

01:42 infinite nature of the universe, what's much more likely is that an alien group (almost

01:47 certainly multiple groups) will have clocked humankind long, long before we reach a comparable

01:53 level of understanding.

01:54 In short, it's highly probable that while we're wholly oblivious and innocent to the

01:59 truth of the cosmos, others are firmly in the know.

02:03 Could there then be extraterrestrial beings out there who have observed Earth and its

02:07 inhabitants from afar?

02:09 Probably yes.

02:10 How should that make us feel?

02:12 Well, no one really knows, so let's take a closer look at what might be happening.

02:17 In general, in our own search for extraterrestrial intelligence (or SETI), scientists explore

02:22 the concept of technosignatures and biosignatures.

02:27 Technosignatures are potential signs of advanced technology, such as radio signals or artificial

02:31 structures, while biosignatures indicate the presence of life through the detection of

02:36 biological processes or chemicals like oxygen and methane.

02:41 Considering the age of the universe, and the vast number of potentially habitable exoplanets

02:45 that there are, it seems plausible that if alien civilizations do exist, then some might

02:51 have already detected our presence via either or both of these methods.

02:55 Earth has been sending signals into space for over a century through radio and television

03:00 broadcasts.

03:01 These electromagnetic emissions create a growing, glowing bubble of detectable information,

03:07 expanding at the speed of light, reaching an ever-widening sphere of potential extraterrestrial

03:12 listeners.

03:13 Meanwhile, as our planet clearly is habitable, it would give off all the relevant biosignatures

03:18 to demonstrate that… and will have done so for thousands, even millions of years.

03:23 All it would take is an alien group with an advanced enough telescope to pick up on that,

03:28 and we're suddenly well within their sights.

03:30 Imagine that same alien civilization monitoring our electromagnetic signals, as well, and

03:36 in more recent times we will have also provided them with a way to understand our current

03:40 culture, modern technology, and even the key historical events that made us.

03:46 In cosmic terms, the humans of Earth read something like an open book, which is intriguing

03:51 and humbling, but also renders us potentially very vulnerable.

03:55 One reason for that vulnerability is clear when we ask, if we are being watched, then

04:00 how are we being judged?

04:02 If an advanced extraterrestrial civilization is indeed observing us, then what might their

04:07 opinion of us be?

04:08 Let's start with the positives, because on one hand they might see us as an extraordinary

04:13 species; resilient, intelligent and admirable.

04:17 A watching alien could be fascinated by our art, music and technological progress; by

04:22 our ability to communicate, collaborate, create and explore; by our systems of language, our

04:28 models of society, our individual loves and our collective ambition.

04:33 But, clearly, there's an alternative view, as well, because on the other hand they might

04:37 perceive us as entirely primitive - perhaps even laughably, or ignorably so.

04:43 And if not, then an alien could feasibly understand us as a potentially dangerous species.

04:49 What with our long history of war, conflict, environmental degradation and societal injustice,

04:54 it's a balance between the positive and negative aspects of our species that would

04:58 shape the stance that a watching alien would take.

05:01 In one version of these hypothetical events, our distant observers may grapple with a moral

05:05 quandary over whether to intervene or simply leave us alone.

05:09 In another version, there's no moral question required, and the only challenge would be

05:14 how to get rid of us as quickly as possible.

05:17 Imagine for a second that you were the watching alien.

05:19 What would your reaction to Earth and humanity be?

05:22 Indeed, here is where this question bleeds over into that other modern obsession, artificial

05:27 intelligence.

05:28 For many, the most likely type of alien life is also entirely artificial, while an organic

05:34 being may never be able to survive the vastness of the universe to begin with.

05:38 A machine that never dies could quite easily tame space.

05:42 Consider the potential for self-replicating devices with artificial awareness.

05:46 It's argued by some that the only surprise is that the universe isn't already awash

05:51 with them.

05:52 But, nevertheless, if even one such machine were to notice Earth, then how might it view

05:57 this planet and its inhabitants?

05:59 Again, although this time from an AI perspective, we could be seen as both a curiosity and a

06:04 potential threat.

06:06 Our unpredictable nature, coupled with the rapid advancement of our own AI technologies,

06:11 might be cause for concern for another group watching on.

06:14 That said, the presence of AI on Earth could also encourage an alien machine to judge us

06:19 more leniently - to view Earth as a potentially "friendly" destination.

06:23 That word, "friendly", is something of a touchy subject among AI developers and theorists,

06:28 however.

06:29 Many believe that a "friendly" AI just isn't possible, and especially once it moves

06:33 past the so-called "singularity" to become infinitely more intelligent than humankind

06:38 is.

06:39 As with traditional views on alien life, humans have a tendency to anthropomorphize artificial

06:44 intelligence - to imagine that it will in some way mirror our own characteristics, our

06:49 own thoughts, feelings and goals.

06:51 But really, there's little reason to believe that this would be the case.

06:55 If, then, the most likely type of alien life actually is artificial, then two things could

07:00 be true.

07:01 It could be far more likely that aliens of this type have already discovered us, and

07:05 it could be just as likely that we would mean literally nothing to them.

07:09 Which finally leads us to the question weaving all the way through this video; are we in

07:14 danger?

07:15 Should we be concerned?

07:17 And the good news is that, while it's tempting to envision an inescapable doomsday scenario,

07:23 the reality isn't certain.

07:25 The motives and intentions of any potential alien force remain speculative.

07:29 In contemplating this particular unknown, we need to admit that our understanding of

07:34 life and intelligence is still limited to just our terrestrial perspective.

07:39 Head off of this planet and perhaps the rules change.

07:43 Move out of our species and maybe there are different drivers, different values, and even

07:48 different emotions.

07:50 Statistically speaking, it would appear overwhelmingly likely that an alien force that is capable

07:55 of discovering us does exist.

07:58 From a technological position, it would seem highly probable that that entity should also

08:03 be artificial.

08:04 But still, if we are being watched, to some extent, so be it.

08:08 Our place on Earth has served us reasonably well up until now, and there's little reason

08:13 to think that that will change.

08:15 Unless, of course, there is now reason to doubt our own cosmic safety, blend aliens

08:19 with AI, and that arguably could be the path that we're heading down.

08:24 As always, the final answer could be lurking just over the horizon.

08:29 What do you think?

08:30 Is there anything we missed?

08:31 Let us know in the comments, check out these other clips from Unveiled, and make sure you

08:35 subscribe and ring the bell for our latest content.

Have Aliens Already Discovered Us? How Have They Judged Us? | Unveiled

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