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00:00 In modern times, it might be said that human beings have become kind of obsessed with finding
00:04 alien life.
00:06 But still, no matter how ardently we search, we've yet to uncover clear, irrefutable
00:11 proof of anything beyond Earth.
00:13 On the one hand, that's frustrating.
00:15 In the words of the infamous 2019 craze around Area 51, "Isn't it about time we see them
00:21 aliens?"
00:22 But, on the other hand, could it be that the real reason we're not finding anything on
00:26 our side is because the tables have already been turned against us?
00:31 This is Unveiled, and today we're answering the extraordinary question; have aliens already
00:36 discovered us?
00:39 Do you need the big questions answered?
00:40 Are you constantly curious?
00:42 Then why not subscribe to Unveiled for more clips like this one?
00:45 And ring the bell for more thought-provoking content!
00:48 Let's embark on a monumental journey; a voyage through space, where galaxies stretch out
00:53 like cosmic cities, stars sparkle like diamonds, and planets dance in tune to a grand celestial
00:59 rhythm that's entirely without end.
01:02 Our galaxy alone, the Milky Way, houses more than 100 billion stars, and the observable
01:08 universe in total contains up to two trillion galaxies.
01:12 The sheer scale is mind-boggling, making our tiny blue world seem like a mere speck of
01:17 a speck in the far wider picture.
01:20 For many, this alone is reason enough to believe that we are not alone.
01:24 In a universe of infinite possibilities, they say, aliens simply have to exist.
01:28 So, now let's imagine that they do.
01:31 Why on Earth (or, indeed, on any other planet) should we then assume that it would be us
01:36 who'd discover them?
01:37 Clearly, given our limited technology when it comes to space exploration, and again the
01:42 infinite nature of the universe, what's much more likely is that an alien group (almost
01:47 certainly multiple groups) will have clocked humankind long, long before we reach a comparable
01:53 level of understanding.
01:54 In short, it's highly probable that while we're wholly oblivious and innocent to the
01:59 truth of the cosmos, others are firmly in the know.
02:03 Could there then be extraterrestrial beings out there who have observed Earth and its
02:07 inhabitants from afar?
02:09 Probably yes.
02:10 How should that make us feel?
02:12 Well, no one really knows, so let's take a closer look at what might be happening.
02:17 In general, in our own search for extraterrestrial intelligence (or SETI), scientists explore
02:22 the concept of technosignatures and biosignatures.
02:27 Technosignatures are potential signs of advanced technology, such as radio signals or artificial
02:31 structures, while biosignatures indicate the presence of life through the detection of
02:36 biological processes or chemicals like oxygen and methane.
02:41 Considering the age of the universe, and the vast number of potentially habitable exoplanets
02:45 that there are, it seems plausible that if alien civilizations do exist, then some might
02:51 have already detected our presence via either or both of these methods.
02:55 Earth has been sending signals into space for over a century through radio and television
03:00 broadcasts.
03:01 These electromagnetic emissions create a growing, glowing bubble of detectable information,
03:07 expanding at the speed of light, reaching an ever-widening sphere of potential extraterrestrial
03:12 listeners.
03:13 Meanwhile, as our planet clearly is habitable, it would give off all the relevant biosignatures
03:18 to demonstrate that… and will have done so for thousands, even millions of years.
03:23 All it would take is an alien group with an advanced enough telescope to pick up on that,
03:28 and we're suddenly well within their sights.
03:30 Imagine that same alien civilization monitoring our electromagnetic signals, as well, and
03:36 in more recent times we will have also provided them with a way to understand our current
03:40 culture, modern technology, and even the key historical events that made us.
03:46 In cosmic terms, the humans of Earth read something like an open book, which is intriguing
03:51 and humbling, but also renders us potentially very vulnerable.
03:55 One reason for that vulnerability is clear when we ask, if we are being watched, then
04:00 how are we being judged?
04:02 If an advanced extraterrestrial civilization is indeed observing us, then what might their
04:07 opinion of us be?
04:08 Let's start with the positives, because on one hand they might see us as an extraordinary
04:13 species; resilient, intelligent and admirable.
04:17 A watching alien could be fascinated by our art, music and technological progress; by
04:22 our ability to communicate, collaborate, create and explore; by our systems of language, our
04:28 models of society, our individual loves and our collective ambition.
04:33 But, clearly, there's an alternative view, as well, because on the other hand they might
04:37 perceive us as entirely primitive - perhaps even laughably, or ignorably so.
04:43 And if not, then an alien could feasibly understand us as a potentially dangerous species.
04:49 What with our long history of war, conflict, environmental degradation and societal injustice,
04:54 it's a balance between the positive and negative aspects of our species that would
04:58 shape the stance that a watching alien would take.
05:01 In one version of these hypothetical events, our distant observers may grapple with a moral
05:05 quandary over whether to intervene or simply leave us alone.
05:09 In another version, there's no moral question required, and the only challenge would be
05:14 how to get rid of us as quickly as possible.
05:17 Imagine for a second that you were the watching alien.
05:19 What would your reaction to Earth and humanity be?
05:22 Indeed, here is where this question bleeds over into that other modern obsession, artificial
05:27 intelligence.
05:28 For many, the most likely type of alien life is also entirely artificial, while an organic
05:34 being may never be able to survive the vastness of the universe to begin with.
05:38 A machine that never dies could quite easily tame space.
05:42 Consider the potential for self-replicating devices with artificial awareness.
05:46 It's argued by some that the only surprise is that the universe isn't already awash
05:51 with them.
05:52 But, nevertheless, if even one such machine were to notice Earth, then how might it view
05:57 this planet and its inhabitants?
05:59 Again, although this time from an AI perspective, we could be seen as both a curiosity and a
06:04 potential threat.
06:06 Our unpredictable nature, coupled with the rapid advancement of our own AI technologies,
06:11 might be cause for concern for another group watching on.
06:14 That said, the presence of AI on Earth could also encourage an alien machine to judge us
06:19 more leniently - to view Earth as a potentially "friendly" destination.
06:23 That word, "friendly", is something of a touchy subject among AI developers and theorists,
06:28 however.
06:29 Many believe that a "friendly" AI just isn't possible, and especially once it moves
06:33 past the so-called "singularity" to become infinitely more intelligent than humankind
06:38 is.
06:39 As with traditional views on alien life, humans have a tendency to anthropomorphize artificial
06:44 intelligence - to imagine that it will in some way mirror our own characteristics, our
06:49 own thoughts, feelings and goals.
06:51 But really, there's little reason to believe that this would be the case.
06:55 If, then, the most likely type of alien life actually is artificial, then two things could
07:00 be true.
07:01 It could be far more likely that aliens of this type have already discovered us, and
07:05 it could be just as likely that we would mean literally nothing to them.
07:09 Which finally leads us to the question weaving all the way through this video; are we in
07:14 danger?
07:15 Should we be concerned?
07:17 And the good news is that, while it's tempting to envision an inescapable doomsday scenario,
07:23 the reality isn't certain.
07:25 The motives and intentions of any potential alien force remain speculative.
07:29 In contemplating this particular unknown, we need to admit that our understanding of
07:34 life and intelligence is still limited to just our terrestrial perspective.
07:39 Head off of this planet and perhaps the rules change.
07:43 Move out of our species and maybe there are different drivers, different values, and even
07:48 different emotions.
07:50 Statistically speaking, it would appear overwhelmingly likely that an alien force that is capable
07:55 of discovering us does exist.
07:58 From a technological position, it would seem highly probable that that entity should also
08:03 be artificial.
08:04 But still, if we are being watched, to some extent, so be it.
08:08 Our place on Earth has served us reasonably well up until now, and there's little reason
08:13 to think that that will change.
08:15 Unless, of course, there is now reason to doubt our own cosmic safety, blend aliens
08:19 with AI, and that arguably could be the path that we're heading down.
08:24 As always, the final answer could be lurking just over the horizon.
08:29 What do you think?
08:30 Is there anything we missed?
08:31 Let us know in the comments, check out these other clips from Unveiled, and make sure you
08:35 subscribe and ring the bell for our latest content.