Exoplanet (Gliese 581 g), 2013
Source unknown, 2046
Archival Matte Print
When species evolve to their surroundings, they are constrained by the environment that nurture them. The idea of finding alien lifeforms is often romanticised by the idea of scientific exploration. As illustrated by the edited visions of galaxies from the Hubble Space telescope, that filter their formations in terms of colored filters. To make them appear as grand colorful compositions that parade a spectacle of beauty. Or editing the surface of Mars to make it appear ‘redder’. Because that is what the public expect. The universal ‘tourist’ photo.
We articulate life on other planets as either micro, single life forms or as complex lifeforms. All are in strict competition with the resources that we share in the universe.
But the chances are that whether micro or macro, these life forms will share one inherent quality that we cannot escape from. The certainty that their survival depends on slowly changing to their environment and that the universe is occupied by life that inevitably suffers from extinction as a result of ‘bad luck’.
We can conclude that just as our environment is hostile to the many forms of life that have faced extinction on our own planet. We must always pragmatically view any major change as potentially dangerous. Trial and error is not to be gambled. Any other form of life must be treated as being more dangerous as it is benign. Even if that life form is complex and reveals friendly intentions. We are caught in a catch 22 of expecting that undesirable results may still result from those with good intentions.
Chances are, whether basic or complex, the universe is inherently formulated with the same restrictions that make survivalism paramount over anything else. Any other view is recreational and wishful thinking. And that the landscapes and environments that support any form of life. Are going to be hostile and impossible to inhabit.
