Infinite monkeys

I will go on the record as saying that I don't believe that there is other intelligent life, indeed that there is any life at all, elsewhere in the galaxy. That is not etched in stone, for if the universe is huge and expanding as we're told then other life is not of necessity out of the question. Still, that old saw, what with the sprawling and expanding nature of the universe there must be intelligent life besides our own, isn't really a convincing argument. Space and time do not automatically mean that other life forms can or will develop. I do not believe that infinite monkeys hammering on infinite typewriters must produce Shakespeare.

Honesty about our experience is that nothing else is there. We've found no hard and fast evidence of life in the local planets and solar systems, nor have we discovered anything notable in what other worlds have been identified elsewhere. It would be more logical at this point to assume that the more worlds without life, the less likely that there are in fact worlds with it. Further, why is it so outlandish to think that maybe, just maybe, we were touched by the Divine for a very singular purpose? Perhaps the rest of creation is here simply to help us appreciate the depth and power of the Supreme Being. Personally I find that a comfortable thought. I don't gaze upon the night sky and think how small I am. I look at it and think what a marvel creation is, and how wonderful that we have been a part of it.

Yet if there is alien life, it isn't as though such a find would alter what should be our proper view of things. If there are intelligent aliens, they would have been created by the same God. They would face the same issues which we do: seeing to their needs, their daily bread, and considering their responsibilities to their fellow creatures and to whomever else exists. In short, postulating alien life is interesting as an academic device. But would any such discoveries be, dare I say (I do so love puns), Earth shattering?

Of course not. So keep looking, if that's you life's work, and I will readily concede my error if proved wrong. But don't make it too much of a mission. There's an awful lot of work on our world which could be as rewarding. Indeed, if you want to get to know others and make lives better, there's plenty for you to do around here.