Cover up on Mars? (speculation)

[jl0179]

I love how you guys are all so open in your mind set about the world and the possibility of life on other planets but you're all forgetting one thing when you talk about there being no need for a cover up because nobody would care, the rest of the world isn't. You seem to all forget that human beings are the most egotistical, self indulging creatures and to suddenly and dramatically be told that we are no longer special and that we as a race may even be in fearer to another race would be devastating. Suddenly huge questions about society are front and center, like are states, or countries necessary, do we even need localized government, what does it mean for differences in society if we are no longer the supreme species, or even just the only species(some of these are assuming there is more intelligent life not just micro organisms). Not to mention the HUGE religious impact, organized religion is proof of human beings obscenely vain nature and would be severely undermined with the knowledge of life forming or living on another world. Think about it, almost all major religions say that a GOD created us and made us rulers of the beasts and all that crap, made us special, what do you really think would happen if we were no longer special? Seriously, you guys need to think a little broader then the suburb of some U.S. city, undeniable evidence of life on another planet would have huge repercussions throughout the world. I know some of this is a little over the top but there really would be major implications for life as we know it because of how NOT open minded we really are as a species.

 

[jatslo]

<font face="verdana">Are you referring to CH4 in the atmosphere of planet Mars? There are two possible source processes involved in that CH4 detection; one is biological; the other is volcanic.</font><blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr /><p><font face="verdana" color="black">NASA's retractoiin statement seems kind of fishy to me. Somebody slipped up on this one. Now it seems that they are covering up something about Mars that they didn't want us to know.</font><p><hr /></p></p></blockquote>

 

[jatslo]

Stating possible life on Mars as a result of Methane (CH4), detection is one thing; stating existing volcanism on Mars as a source of Methane (CH4), detection is another thing, but the fact of the matter is that we are not sure. So what if NASA speculates; I would rather NASA speculate than clam up.<blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr /><p><font face="verdana" color="black">I'm sure that if it is a cover up -- it's for reasons to protect their own image. A bold statement like "Life on mars" requires alot of evidence, and if proved wrong later, it would make them look stupid. No official statement (if there is one) would be made unless they were 1000% sure...</font><p><hr /></p></p></blockquote>

 

[jatslo]

<font face="verdana">Yes, there is a whole protocol that must be followed in the event that E.T., or E.T. evidence is discovered for a number of reasons. The delay of information are symtoms that one should look for when speculating E.T. discoveries. Cover up is quite plausible given the United States history of classification of sensitive information. The stealth craft for example, is 40 plus years old.</font><blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr /><p><font face="verdana" color="black">What if there was a plan to slowly introduce life in space to the public, and this methane would be the first step to open the possibility of life existing on other planets. Then they would work up to intelligent beings.</font><p><hr /></p></p></blockquote>

 

[jatslo]

Methane (CH4) is evidence of possible life outside of Earth's biosphere.<blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr /><p>There is not a Single shred of evidence for ANY life outside the earth.<p><hr /></p></p></blockquote>Plug that into your probability calculator, stevehw33.

 

[harmonicaman]

I have to agree with Steve. Space is apparently full of the necessary building-blocks for life; but the existence of alien life has yet to be observed.<br /><br />I'm sure there is plenty of "Life" elsewhere in the Milky Way (and possible right here in our own backyard); but the proof its existence is sadly lacking.

 

[jatslo]

<br />What is circumstantial evidence? Methane

 

[vogon13]

The planet dissolving cloud headed this way makes it all a moot point in 8 years 9 months.<br /><br /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#ff0000"><strong>TPTB went to Dallas and all I got was Plucked !!</strong></font></p><p><font color="#339966"><strong>So many people, so few recipes !!</strong></font></p><p><font color="#0000ff"><strong>Let's clean up this stinkhole !!</strong></font> </p> </div>

 

[ordinary_guy]

<blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr /><p>Methane can come from non-biological sources.<p><hr /></p></p></blockquote><br />Definite, true and well-established. On the other hand, the Martian biological sources argument just got a little more attractive. Check out this news release from USC:<br /><blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr /><p><b>Work Bolsters Life on Mars Theories<br /><br />11/01/05<br /><br />A Keck School scientist and his collaborators are the first to find methane-producing bacteria in arid desert soils, providing a springboard for future experiments on the distant planet.</b><br /><br />By Lori Oliwenstein<br /><br />Evidence of methane-producing organisms can be found in inhospitable soil environments much like those found on the surface of Mars, according to experiments undertaken by scientists and students from the Keck School of Medicine of USC and the University of Arkansas and published online in the journal Icarus. <br /><br />The results, they said, provide ample impetus for similar “biodetection experiments” to be considered for future missions to Mars. <br /><br />“Methane-producing organisms are the ones most likely to be found on Mars,” noted Joseph Miller, associate professor of cell and neurobiology in the Keck School and one of the study’s lead researchers. “And, in fact, methane was detected on Mars last year.” <br /><br />Methane is considered to be a biological signature for certain living organisms that metabolize organic matter under conditions of low or no oxygen...<p><hr /></p></p></blockquote><br />It goes on. If it's the kind of thing that interests you, follow the above link. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p style="font:normalnormalnormal12px/normalTimes;margin:0px"><strong>Mere precedent is a dangerous source of authority.</strong></p> <p style="font:normalnormalnormal12px/normalTimes;margin:0px">-Andrew Jackson (1767-1845)</p> </div>

 

[neocelt]

Hello there as any one know or has perviously mentioned the fact that egypt has a link to mars.<br /><br />e.g CHAIRO meaning "Of MARS" in arabic.<br /><br />WHAT ABOUT THE FACE OF MARS, THE PYRIMID STRUCTURES.<br /><br />iT SEEMS TO ME THAT, ALL EGYPTIAN MYTHOLOGY HAS A LINKAGE TO MARS. EGYPTIAN PAPIRI HAS MENTION OF "STARGATES" GALAXIES AND SUPER BEINGS.

 

[telfrow]

1) You're shouting. <br />2) It's all been discussed - ad nauseum - here before. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <strong><font color="#3366ff">Made weak by time and fate, but strong in will to strive, to seek, to find and not to yeild.</font> - <font color="#3366ff"><em>Tennyson</em></font></strong> </div>

 

[nexium]

Hi neocelt: Welcome to www.space.com Most people prefer that you use capital letters rarely except where appropriate. There is some linkage between Mars and Egyptian mythology, but most of us have concluded that sentient beings on Mars are unproven and improbable, both past and present.<br />Chemists are unable to find ways for life to survive on the surface of Mars, because of super oxides, below zero f temperatures, a lack of water, 1/2 % of Earth sea level "air" pressure, no food, no free oxygen etc. Neil