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Group of scientists suggest that octopuses might actually be aliens

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Re: Group of scientists suggest that octopuses might actually be aliens

#11

Post by faizshah »

"[The authors] present a fantastic overview of the various hypotheses about the evolution of life on our planet and the contribution of extraterrestrial elements. The review includes many references, several different opinions and ranges all the way to the up-todate literature...The authors take, however, one more step. Their view differs from common scientific concepts and available evidence, claiming that the origin of viruses, microbes and even animals all the way to tardigradus - originate from space."

"There are several explanations why the Cambrian explosion occurred...but the notion that viruses from extraterrestrial space are the main drivers - is uniquely presented here in this article. The authors believe this and use strong expressions, describing it as evidence-based, yet without any of the necessary evidence. As an excuse they point out to other previous unconventional ideas during history of science which turned out to be true later - this is the argument the authors use. They even find their idea “plausible” - but it is hard to follow their thinking in this respect. So this article is useful, calling for attention, and it is worth thinking about - yet the main statement about viruses, microbes and even animals which came to us from space, cannot be taken seriously."

Commentary to: Cause of Cambrian explosion - Terrestrial or cosmic? Steele, E.J. et al.

Karin Molling, Max Planck Institute Molecular Genetics, Berlin, Germany

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S007961071...

Re: Group of scientists suggest that octopuses might actually be aliens

#12

Post by agar »

As much as I love the concept, I can only imagine what a professional with expertise in cephalopods and their DNA would think while reading this article.

If you've ever read a popular press story in your area of expertise, you immediately see how many things writers oversimplify to the point of absurdity, or just get plain wrong.

I'm guessing the authors of that journal article, were they to read this news story, would simultaneously hyperventilate and strain their necks from the excessive sighing and head shaking.

Re: Group of scientists suggest that octopuses might actually be aliens

#13

Post by palisade »

tomhallett wrote: post #7

Complete sidebar: octopuses/squid are on my short list of "things in American diet I don't eat because they are too smart" (pigs being the other).

Due to the acidification of the ocean, there's an overpopulation of squid in the seas. It would actually be beneficial if people started eating more of them, because they're predators of other fish species that we ourselves are already overfishing. Note: I'm not an environmentalist, it is just something I noticed.

Re: Group of scientists suggest that octopuses might actually be aliens

#14

Post by noetic_techy »

yigu wrote: post #3

A few questions that pop into my head: Why did land insects never rise to match the intelligence of the octopus? If octopuses are so smart, why aren't they more social? Why is it that the most social of animals, ants (which are considered eusocial actually), are not pressed with becoming smarter? Why does sex cause octopuses to self-destruct? Also, when it comes to weird theories, I have always thought that if we are…

you're asking human questions of a possibly alien intelligence. The assumption that alien life would behave and have the same motivation as earth life is a fallacy. This paradigm may not even apply.

Re: Group of scientists suggest that octopuses might actually be aliens

#15

Post by JoeAltmaier »

sulam wrote: post #4
JoeAltmaier wrote: post #2

Which was it - virus-guided evolution or cryofrozen eggs? That piece is all over the map. And it begs the question: why is alien life DNA-based at all? Without addressing that, its just a comedy piece.

Without trying to support the piece, the DNA question has a rich history of being explainable via the panspermia theory.

Ok, then the point of the piece, that the Octopus is special in being 'alien', becomes moot? Everything is 'alien'.

Re: Group of scientists suggest that octopuses might actually be aliens

#16

Post by Nomentatus »

agar wrote: post #12

As much as I love the concept, I can only imagine what a professional with expertise in cephalopods and their DNA would think while reading this article. If you've ever read a popular press story in your area of expertise, you immediately see how many things writers oversimplify to the point of absurdity, or just get plain wrong. I'm guessing the authors of that journal article, were they to read this news story, wou…

This article gives direct quotes from the authors, and the quotes are exciting, (33 authors FWIW)

https://www.express.co.uk/news/science/958247/alien-octopuse...

Re: Group of scientists suggest that octopuses might actually be aliens

#17

Post by Nomentatus »

JoeAltmaier wrote: post #15
sulam wrote: post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Without trying to support the piece, the DNA question has a rich history of being explainable via the panspermia theory.

Ok, then the point of the piece, that the Octopus is special in being 'alien', becomes moot? Everything is 'alien'.

But in this case, the leap in complexity is so obvious we can tell it's alien (they say.)

Re: Group of scientists suggest that octopuses might actually be aliens

#18

Post by newsbinator »

palisade wrote: post #13
tomhallett wrote: post #7

Complete sidebar: octopuses/squid are on my short list of "things in American diet I don't eat because they are too smart" (pigs being the other).

Due to the acidification of the ocean, there's an overpopulation of squid in the seas. It would actually be beneficial if people started eating more of them, because they're predators of other fish species that we ourselves are already overfishing. Note: I'm not an environmentalist, it is just something I noticed.

In fact, I have a modest proposal to share with you on that front.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Modest_Proposal

Re: Group of scientists suggest that octopuses might actually be aliens

#19

Post by TimTheTinker »

Just my own perspective: as one who believes God is responsible for the origin, complexity, and diversity of life, this article makes me chuckle. The theory of evolution as an explanation of the origin of the major taxa of life really paints us into a corner from which it is difficult to wiggle out.

In my opinion, the panspermia/alien origin hypothesis (and its persistence as an explanation in some respected circles) illustrates how strictly limiting ourselves to natural explanations leaves not just a "gap" in our ability to explain origins, but a massive gaping hole. (Also, the insistence on a distinction between "alien" and "divine" has no rational basis.)

Re: Group of scientists suggest that octopuses might actually be aliens

#20

Post by maxerickson »

TimTheTinker wrote: post #19

Just my own perspective: as one who believes God is responsible for the origin, complexity, and diversity of life, this article makes me chuckle. The theory of evolution as an explanation of the origin of the major taxa of life really paints us into a corner from which it is difficult to wiggle out. In my opinion, the panspermia/alien origin hypothesis (and its persistence as an explanation in some respected circles)…

A few billion years is like, a pretty long time.
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