Sunday, January 29, 2012

"Aliens" visiting "Humans" - Why would they do it?

Yes, why would they? And would we notice it?

There are a lot of movies and other media about what would happen if aliens came to this planet, Earth.
Mostly, they show them as aggressive and brutal invaders, coming here to take over and destroy humans so they can use the planet for themselves.

We humans, so far, have not the possibility to leave this planet and go on such "long" (meaning the distance AND the time) journeys. We are technically not advanced enough for that.
So, any visitor from "outer space" would be much more advanced in technology and the actual use of it than we are right now. Even so, it would take a lot of "money" (if they still use money) or some other kind of "payment"; i.e. the alien labour put into it as well as all the resources needed to complete the project.
And I don't think it can be done by a few alone. So, different to our planet, the aliens already would (have to) be all unified - one gigantic civilisation - all working on achieving the goal.
I'll leave aside all the technical and scientific explorations of the "if it is possible" that there are alien worlds at all, if they are advanced enough, will have enough resources and the actual possibility of space travel in such a physical way. And assume that they can do it.

Now, you may ask: "Why would they want to come to a planet like ours? We humans are so much "below" them in technology (and in many other things too)! There simply is nothing (of interest - as if we would know what interests them, hahaha) they could get from us - except the planet itself. It is our home and we will defend it!" And if you like to believe in the reality that movies show you, we will chase them off again. Hooray!!
If you are more realistic, then I think, to assume they will just take what they need and don't bother about killing off a few billion of possible intelligent lifeforms, is not too way off.
If you assume that the aliens think and behave like we do!

BUT

I think, that there is a big chance that aliens are very different from us. More advanced and evolved in many things - not only technology.
So, if they would go out on such a thing to look for other inhabited planets like ours, then surely not because they want it "just for themselves".
You might say: "What if their own planet and sun are dying and they just NEED to go some other place?"
Even in that case, I think, they wouldn't take over a planet that already has "intelligent" life on it; or life that is still evolving and becoming "intelligent". There are so many other planets that they easily, with all their technology, could make habitable. Planets that have all the resources that are needed and, with a little help, will support their life.
Anyway, our planet will have to be made habitable for them too; not all of it will be perfect (and as polluted as our planet is by now, it is not perfect for us too - but that's another story!) And then rid it of part of it's life first? That's way too much of an effort and not "economic" even for an advanced civilisation.
And, how would the aliens know if that life-form they are about to destroy so they have solely access to the planet is not an important part of that planet's life?
(Yes, the planet as such has a life too - the "non-animated" forms like rocks are alive too.
"The trans-disciplinary theory demonstrates that purportedly inanimate, non-living objects -- for example, planets, water, proteins, and DNA -- are animate, that is, alive."
Case Western Reserve University (2012, January 26). Radical theory explains the origin, evolution, and nature of life, challenges conventional wisdom. ScienceDaily. Retrieved January 28, 2012, from http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120126115127.htm# read at link for more on the theory. )

Our scientists study lifeforms, the ecosystems and how they interact. And through publishing their findings and educating others around them, slowly we all understand that there is more to "life on a planet" then just us as the "highest" evolved life-form.
Example: Scientist study ants. You may ask: "What for? They are so below us in the "evolution"! What can ants show us that we don't already know?" A lot, I say! (And the scientists.) About how community works, about how to handle resources, about how to live WITH nature (and the planet) and not against it. Ants (as an example - there are many more) just KNOW how to do all that. They don't have technology - but they live all over the planet (more numerous than humans in fact). Maybe they are the true "intelligent" life-form of this planet?
So, I think, aliens would, coming across a planet like ours, surely first study it, and then either avoid it - or if they find it interesting enough - "beam" down to study it closer.

Now, you may remind me of movies like  V (2009 TV series). There the aliens came to Earth to use the humans as breeding stock; in similar movies and stories humans are simply used as food. In my opinion to actually show themselves as visitors is not logical in these cases. It would be simpler and more efficient to just breed and use the humans without them knowing about it. Or would you tell the cows, pigs and sheep we use as food that you are going to eat them and then expect them to humbly succumb into it? Better not let them know. Quick and fast - no "visiting".
On a side note: do you think such very advanced aliens and humans have an equal basis for communication? I don't mean the different language or way of speaking, but the one of the "advanced" being to "not-as-advanced" being. Or do you think ants really understand you when you talk to them? These are just some thoughts that show how difficult an encounter with aliens could be.

Another option for "visitng" humans, you might want to add, is that they use humans as workers/slaves. Well, that's a thing that I opt out rather fast. If those aliens are so advanced to us that they can travel all the way here in reasonable time, they also have the means to built "robots" and such devices to do the work for them. They wouldn't use "weak" humans for that. Even we humans use "stronger" animals to do work for us because those are better suited for the task.
"They come to "feed" on our emotions!" Well, that's another possible reason to come here - but not one to actually visit in a way so that we notice them, is it?

So, let's assume the aliens come as visitors after having studied us humans for some time. And have solved all the difficulties of how to interact with "not-as-advanced" beings as themselves. Knowing how "fearful" humans are of strangers they sure would do that in a way to go "unnoticed"; appearing and acting like any other human here does too. We wouldn't notice them; unless they want to be noticed. Once their studies are completed, it's a stay-or-go decision.

Then again, maybe they don't come to visit us. They come to visit the planet. As they care about the planet, its life! And want to "heal" it from the lifeforms that make it "sick". In this case it is very possible they would get rid of the humans as the most sick-making factor. Or teach them (us humans) to heal the planet by themselves; so that we can go on living with it.
Maybe this "teaching" is already happening. Why would they - the aliens - do such a thing? Maybe because they care (more than we so far) about the planet and maybe had to go through similar events to evolve to the kind of civilisation they are now. And they feel that it is their "duty" and responsibility to help. 
Or, they are still thinking of a good way to get rid of the humans without "hurting" the planet further. In this case, I think, we wouldn't notice that they are dong it. Not like in the movies. With their so much more advanced technology there would be a way to do it in seconds.

So actually, after all this, to meet an alien face-to-face (and recognise it for what it truly is) has only a tiny chance.

But, maybe no aliens have been here yet. And we have to do the clean-up and evolving all on our own. Because, if the aliens don't come to us - maybe one day we are ready to go and visit them.
And where would we go? Well, our scientists are searching a lot. For example with the Kepler telescope. Recently they found 11 new "planetary systems". ( Kepler telescope finds 11 new solar systems )
We are still at the beginnings of this. Still have to find out which planets are in a habitable zone that could support life like ours (so that we can actually interact with it). And we still have to find a means to bridge the vast distances.
And before actually visiting those planets: do our "homework" here and evolve in many, many fields to become that sort of advanced civilisation that could and would be the "visiting" aliens!






And after all -- these arguments are just my thoughts on why aliens would come for a visit. But who knows why they would (or would not) do it truly. Maybe one day, I meet an alien and can ask it about the why (and how). ^^

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Time - Using time - For yourself - To simply feel good.

Time. 
Such a small word and yet a big word at the same time!
What is time? Is it infinite? Is it just the moment I experience?
Time is a constant. No, time is relative.

Many great minds have tried to define time. I will not try to do this here.
There is a good definition on Wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Time
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Time#Use_of_time

But I do notice that a lot of proverbs use it and in the daily speech the term "time" is being used too. And often they are contradicting.
Some examples:
Take your time; there's no time to loose; find (enough) time (to do something); time is money; you have all the time of the world; spending quality time; it's a waste of time; time well spent; running out of time; time will heal; time will tell; (my) time is limited; time is endless; at the beginning of time (oh - this would be the beginning of a philosophic dispute like the beginning of the universe one).
It's as if time has a specific value; and actually different ones.
1) It can be measured. That's why we have calenders, clocks, timetables and such.
2) It has worth (i.e. "time is money"). But you can't buy time like you can buy bread.
3) It has quality (i.e. "time well spent"). Seems there is "bad" time and "good" time.
And then there is also the feeling of the passage of time. For one person time goes by fast, for the other the same amount of time is passing too slow.
The last are very subjective definitions of time. Everyone experiences these different and gives them different importance. These make time rather "relative", while the measurable time is a "constant". (If it is, I think, is still not as certain as scientists tell you - see "spacetime" and "quantumtime".)

These are just some thoughts about time.

Now let's move on to "using" your time:
Mostly people feel that they do not have enough time. They would like to do so many things and they feel their time is too limited. This is referring to the "free" time - time that is not already "blocked" by necessary and not changeable usage of time.

So let's look at what we know:
The day has 24 hours.
Of these around 8 are spent sleeping.
Then more time is used for eating, washing, cleaning up around you (some people omit this part), taking care of children or elderly in the household or what else is needed i.e. shopping.
Working to earn a living takes up quite a lot of time too (and getting there and back, including waiting times on the way); unless of course you are one of the few very fortunate persons that have gotten a lot of money to spent from others (like generous parents or a big inheritance or a win in a lottery with a big amount).
A survey on the usage of time was made for Europe (February 2005), that is available online:
http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/cache/ITY_OFFPUB/KS-CC-05-001/EN/KS-CC-05-001-EN.PDF

Let's assume then that you have about 4 to 5 hours a day that are not "planned" for any of these tasks mentioned above. That is what I call "free" time. Now I know quite a lot of people that use this free time to watch TV or go out on parties (with lots of drinking and eating - that would reduce the time they need for it on the "fixed" parts, leaving them more for partying ;) ).

Some use this "free" time for further learning (I add this to "free" time when it is not learning for a job to earn a living). To broaden their horizon out of personal interest. Some (and this is getting a rather big part of the populace) use their free time to be online - either just serving the net or gaming or, like I do it too, to connect with others around the globe.

Whatever you do with that bit of "free" time you have, if you feel that you are "running out of time" and just don't have enough, maybe it's because you don't use your time well.
There are a lot of guidelines and helpful (or not so helpful aids) in book form or online about this. I don't think I will add more to that - no "should do's" and  "should not do's".
Just a few thoughts or questions that I ask myself when I feel I don't have enough time for the things I want to do:
a) Am I "wasting" my time during the necessary usage of the day time by not being as organized or not as fast as I could be? Maybe because I don't like doing those things?
b) Am I rested enough so I can concentrate well on what I want to do? From own experience I know that when not having regenerated (well) enough, I can't concentrate well and distract myself by doing other "easier" (sometimes even mindless) things instead of the "project" that I'm doing at the moment.
c) Did I choose to do this? Or did someone "suggest" it to me and out of "obligation" I do it - for them more than for me?
d) Do I truly want to do it? Is my heart fully behind this "project"?
e) Do I have the feeling that there are some other things that are more "worth" to do (right now or at all) and this "project" is actually a "waste of time"? Do I find it worthwhile doing or am I doing this just because there is nothing else to do (= feeling bored)?
f) Am I multitasking similar things that are better done one after the other? Is manual "work" slowing me down on "mind" work or vice versa?

As a summary, I can say that there is always enough time to do the things you really want to do, that you enjoy doing and that give you satisfaction. If you feel you need a workout - then just "take the time" and DO IT. Afterwards, having satisfied this "need" (or urge to do it) you will feel at peace with yourself and have the "power" to go on with what might not be as satisfactory to you right now or doing routine tasks.
If the persons around you think (and tell you) that you are wasting your time with what you are doing - it is their point of view (well, sometimes it could be yours as well - see above thoughts), let them have it. They just have different "values" of how to use time.
Time, used by you, is relative. Use it well.

For this entry I used quite a lot of my time - and I enjoyed it. It might not be complete.
If you have additional ideas about this topic (using your "free" time) feel free to add them as comment.

Finally a painting that to me resembles "time" rather well:
Salvador Dali - Die weichenn Uhren / Soft Watches


Sunday, January 22, 2012

Best of 2011 - G+ Photography Book - the story to my contribution

This morning I got a call: "Just to inform you - there is a photo competion on G+. Maybe you would like to participate."
First question from me was: "What subject?" - Because if it's something I don't take pictures off it's not "worth" the time to check it out. I was told that there is no subject. OK then!

Next question in my mind was: Do I want to compete? Be rated and judged by others? Not really!
But then again: I do want to share my photos. And in participating in this, many more would have a look at them. I might not win the competition, but I do "win" through sharing. There's nothing to loose really. Except maybe the place away from the spotlight. Hahaha.
There you see two sides of me: the one that feels like hiding in a mousehole and go unnoticed. And the other that wants to be in the spotlight, have the fame and recognition.

My next thought was: "Ahh - I only got a simple camera. The photos of others are much better anyway."
But curiosity got the better of me. I checked it. You didn't have to be a "professional" at all. Any photo of mine that I liked would be OK. And to my surprise it was not a competiton, but a contribution - and for charity on top of that.Yes, that's something worth the "work" and really nothing to loose.

So, the next thing that kept my mind busy was: which photo I took in 2011 (about the only requirement) that I could send in for this. I had a few in mind already (not in the order I took them or I favored them - but how I searched and added them here):











Next thing I had to do was check what else was needed for a contribution (yes, I can get all that done in no time), what already had been send in (I don't want to add a "duplicate" and there are so many already I didn't take the time to have a look at all of them; some photos are really awsome) and finally select and name the photo I would send in. By now, I was all smiles and eager and happy at doing this (pushing aside the fact that I'm again sitting at the computer much longer than I had wanted).
So, the photo I finally picked:
 
Autumn Sunset

Checking once more on how to do contribute properly and sending it all.

DONE

Well, not completely. ;)
This had to go in my blog too!! That's what it's there for too, isn't it?

PS: And finally I should add a big thanks to the caller or I would not have noticed this "competion"-contribution possibility or maybe "too late"!




Saturday, January 21, 2012

Beneath

The combination of picture and words.
Beneath   
Beneath the sand
Lies another land
A place eyes can't see 
Forgotten by you and me

Together we search the beach
Until we finally reach
That hidden land
Beneath the sand










Following the German version of this poem -
which once again makes me think about why I prefer to write in English.
To elaborate on this would fill another post.

Und für alle, die Englisch nicht so gut können, die Version des Gedichtes auf Deutsch:

Unter dem Sand
Liegt ein andres Land
Ein unsichtbarer Ort
Vergessen und fort

Durch den Strand wir graben
Bis erreicht wir es haben
Das versteckte Land
Unter dem Sand




Words have power - ok.
Blogs use words - ok.
Now I have a blog too - ok.
How do I use my words?

So much to think about, 
so much to consider, 
so many new things all at once. 
I like it.