„ “Project Hail Mary” is right about a key concept — If alien life-forms exist, they’re most likely to be microbes.“
So the scientists look especially at microbes on earth that are able to survive in extreme conditions to look beyond the standard view on the conditions for life. Interesting article and a film worth watching.
The most obvious alien life form in the movie was a large rocky creature. Are they talking about the stuff they scooped up? That life didn't seem as impressive as the main alien, which didn't need water.
I think the point the article makes is that microbial life is likely much more common in the universe than intelligent or even more complex organisms. We are more likely to find life like the astrophages and the microbes/amoebas that eat the astrophages than we are to find a Rocky.
Unfortunately for us, we have a sample size of n=1 for life. It may be that the principles guiding evolution are universally applicable, like the laws of physics (as far as we know), and thus, complex life is common throughout the universe. It may be that life is common, but that it rarely evolves past single cell organisms and earth is unique in that regard. Or, it may be that earth is the only place where life actually developed. We won’t know until we find life that developed independently from earth, if we ever find it. The Universe is so goddamn big.
I understand the sentiment of the article and I like that it can inspire a new generation.
It just reminded me of chuckling at the moment they discover the microbial life. Grace looks in wonder at his alien sidekick and is amazed at finding life. It was hard to have a moment of wonder right there.
DocumentExternal6240 | 14 hours ago
„ “Project Hail Mary” is right about a key concept — If alien life-forms exist, they’re most likely to be microbes.“
So the scientists look especially at microbes on earth that are able to survive in extreme conditions to look beyond the standard view on the conditions for life. Interesting article and a film worth watching.
sanjosanjo | 7 hours ago
The most obvious alien life form in the movie was a large rocky creature. Are they talking about the stuff they scooped up? That life didn't seem as impressive as the main alien, which didn't need water.
purepolka | 7 hours ago
I think the point the article makes is that microbial life is likely much more common in the universe than intelligent or even more complex organisms. We are more likely to find life like the astrophages and the microbes/amoebas that eat the astrophages than we are to find a Rocky.
Unfortunately for us, we have a sample size of n=1 for life. It may be that the principles guiding evolution are universally applicable, like the laws of physics (as far as we know), and thus, complex life is common throughout the universe. It may be that life is common, but that it rarely evolves past single cell organisms and earth is unique in that regard. Or, it may be that earth is the only place where life actually developed. We won’t know until we find life that developed independently from earth, if we ever find it. The Universe is so goddamn big.
sanjosanjo | 6 hours ago
I understand the sentiment of the article and I like that it can inspire a new generation.
It just reminded me of chuckling at the moment they discover the microbial life. Grace looks in wonder at his alien sidekick and is amazed at finding life. It was hard to have a moment of wonder right there.