What If Aliens Are Just 5x Smarter Than Us? | Unveiled
Transcript
00:00 Cast your mind into the future and there could be something big coming over the horizon.
00:06 Something that's arguably greater and more significant than any scientific discovery
00:10 that preceded it.
00:11 The uncovering of, or arrival of, true alien life.
00:17 And while science fiction has long decorated our imaginations with what real aliens will
00:21 look and be like, we're just not sure on exactly how first contact will play out.
00:26 There are so many moving parts, potential pitfalls, and possible surprises.
00:31 However, one thing that's seen by many as statistically likely is that alien life will
00:37 be smarter than humankind.
00:39 In an infinite universe, the chances are high that otherworldly beings will be much more
00:44 advanced.
00:47 So what would that mean for us?
00:50 This is Unveiled, and today we're answering the extraordinary question, "What if aliens
00:55 were just five times smarter than us?"
00:59 Do you need the big questions answered?
01:01 Are you constantly curious?
01:02 Then why not subscribe to Unveiled for more clips like this one?
01:05 And ring the bell for more thought-provoking content!
01:09 Without a direct example to refer back to, how do you measure extraterrestrial intelligence?
01:14 For the most part, we rely on theoretical frameworks, such as the Kardashev Scale or
01:19 John Barrow's Model of Microdimensional Mastery, to inform us on what to expect.
01:24 We can also incorporate theoretical products, such as von Neumann machines - self-building,
01:30 self-replicating, and self-proliferating AI bodies.
01:33 And we can picture the wealth of knowledge that an alien group might have if it were
01:37 to have harnessed, say, wormhole technology or universal consciousness.
01:42 But really, there's no telling the specifics that an extraterrestrial lifeform would have
01:47 at its disposal.
01:48 And equally, for all the advancements that they might present, they could also be much
01:53 more primitive than us, non-complex, and even single-celled.
01:58 But again, there are predictions to suggest that if or when we do cross paths with aliens,
02:02 it is much more likely that their intelligence - in whatever form - will far outstrip our
02:07 own.
02:08 So, perhaps the place to start is with ourselves, by measuring the limits of humankind.
02:14 Because what would it actually mean for a species to be five times smarter than us?
02:19 While the reliability of intelligence quotient, or IQ, is much debated, it's also the most
02:25 widely recognised measure of intelligence that we currently have.
02:28 And although exact scores are difficult to pin down, an IQ of near or even more than
02:34 200 is considered extremely high.
02:36 So, it figures that an alien five times more than us would be five times more than the
02:41 best of us.
02:43 Which means an extraterrestrial mind that's operating at a staggering IQ of one thousand.
02:48 To me, then, this isn't just superhuman intelligence.
02:52 It's on a whole new plane of existence.
02:55 Such advanced beings would process information at speeds beyond our comprehension.
03:00 While the quickest human processes at upwards of 70 bits per second, a five times smarter
03:05 being would be able to handle a mind-boggling 350 bits per second.
03:10 In general, this means that their thought processes would be lightning fast, allowing
03:15 them to solve complex problems in considerably less than the blink of an eye.
03:19 In reality, it would make it impossible for a lowly human to understand or even recognise
03:25 how that alien brain works.
03:27 Some have even suggested that that last part is why we humans wouldn't even know if we
03:33 had discovered alien life in the first place… because we simply wouldn't be able to comprehend
03:38 it.
03:39 So, as we burrow deeper into this hypothetical scenario, let's next consider how this superintelligence
03:44 would manifest.
03:46 First and foremost, a five times humanity alien would boast scientific advancements
03:51 light years ahead of our own.
03:53 Judging by various predictions of our trajectory, this could mean that the very fabric of reality
03:59 as we understand it would be an open book to them.
04:02 An alien that's five times more intelligent may have mastery over traditional physics,
04:07 biology and chemistry… all of which would produce technology beyond our wildest dreams.
04:13 We're talking total governance over physical matter, which means all elementary particles
04:19 sifted and redistributed for ultimate efficiency.
04:22 A complete understanding of organic life, including of consciousness, which means potentially
04:28 total control over, say, a human brain… or over human emotions.
04:33 But really, the overriding fear with something quite so smart is that it will inevitably
04:37 deem human beings to be "unnecessary", which means stripping and redistributing the
04:43 particles that make us, and assuming total supremacy over our conscious thoughts… if
04:49 only to extinguish them forever.
04:51 But let's imagine that things don't unravel quite so quickly as all that.
04:55 Let's consider we're fortunate enough to encounter a much smarter alien and initially
05:00 live to tell the tale.
05:02 Even without an instant death knell, there could be trouble ahead.
05:06 Communication with such beings would be challenging, to say the least.
05:10 Imagine trying to have a conversation with someone who perceives time differently, or
05:14 who understands the universe differently.
05:16 With someone who has moved beyond language itself, or with a being that comprehends life
05:21 from literally all new dimensions.
05:24 It would be something like the challenge faced by a beetle if it ever wanted to start chatting
05:29 with a human.
05:30 It would be impossible.
05:31 It is vaguely hoped that the language of mathematics may transcend all possible differences between
05:37 two alien forces.
05:38 But that's only really suggested from a human point of view.
05:42 Could it be that a five times smarter alien operates with different math?
05:46 Could it be that our math would turn out to be just another limiting factor?
05:50 Ultimately, it has to be asked whether advanced enough aliens would even notice us.
05:55 Consider how most humans go through their lives wholly unaware of the microbes that
05:59 are all around them, every single day.
06:01 Wouldn't we represent something just as seemingly inconsequential to another, higher
06:06 power?
06:07 On the other hand, perhaps the advanced empathy and understanding of a more intelligent species
06:12 would actually lead them to treat us as precious beings in need of guidance.
06:17 Or maybe that's just wishful thinking.
06:19 Overall, the potential impact on humanity, if five times human-aliens were discovered,
06:25 could go one of two ways.
06:27 On the one hand, simply exposure to this level of intelligence could catapult our own technological
06:32 and scientific progress.
06:34 Just knowing that such advancement was possible might translate into an unparalleled opportunity
06:40 for us to learn, grow, evolve and improve.
06:43 In fact, this is one conclusion imagined by the so-called "zoo hypothesis", which
06:48 argues that aliens may be watching us from afar, as though we were animals in an enclosure…
06:54 and that if those aliens were to ever remove the barriers between us and them, it would
06:59 only be to welcome us into a higher level of galactic society.
07:03 To encourage us to learn and embrace a new grade of knowledge.
07:07 From there, perhaps all of our IQs would gradually soar towards the 1000 mark.
07:12 Maybe all of us would develop abilities to process information at five times our current
07:17 speed.
07:18 However, on the other hand, there's the risk of overwhelming cultural and societal
07:22 upheaval.
07:23 Human civilization is built by us, for us.
07:26 And so, the revelation of a higher intelligence could serve to very quickly wreck it beyond
07:31 saving.
07:32 All our current systems - politics, healthcare, money, education, even science itself - might
07:38 crumble under the weight and scrutiny of our new, hyper-intelligent alien onlookers.
07:43 Our understanding of morality, ethics and even of reality itself might be suddenly challenged.
07:49 It would likely be all too much for the relatively puny human brain to handle.
07:54 Again, we can draw some conclusions from the natural world.
07:58 For example, imagine you're an ant.
08:00 You're part of an established colony.
08:03 You have a role in your ant society, and everything is seemingly good and stable.
08:08 Until such a day as a human being decides to dig up the ground in which you live, or
08:12 cut down the tree, or flood out your home by simply upending a no longer needed bucket
08:17 of water… with an intelligent enough alien, we're the ant, and they're the (perhaps
08:23 unknowingly) rampaging human.
08:25 Our chances of survival are slim to none.
08:28 And so, the conclusion is twofold as well.
08:31 Because what if smarter-than-us aliens hold the key to unlocking the mysteries of the
08:36 universe and they're willing to pass it on to us?
08:39 It would be an encounter to dramatically reshape the future of humanity.
08:43 But what if smart aliens don't want to share, or even fail to notice, that we're anything
08:48 worth sharing with?
08:50 It would be a development to stop humankind in its tracks once and for all.
08:54 It's a prospect that's thrilling and daunting in equal measure.
08:58 It could trigger an ascension into a new era of enlightenment… or a rapid downfall towards
09:04 inevitable extinction.
09:06 But that's what would happen if aliens were just five times smarter than humans.
09:12 We know humans are curious creatures, whether we're studying ants, trying out recipes,
09:17 or inventing space travel.
09:19 Our quest to know more knows no bounds.
09:22 With aliens, though, would they share this trait?
09:25 Would they also harbour curiosity?
09:28 Research suggests yes.
09:30 Adaptation, surely an essential skill for any intelligent organism, has been shown to
09:35 link with curiosity.
09:37 Therefore, it arguably makes sense to expect that any alien life that does manage to survive
09:43 would also be interested in learning more about us, if they ever found us.
09:47 It would most likely be within their nature.
09:50 But how exactly would they do that?
09:53 This is Unveiled, and today we're asking the extraordinary question; is this how aliens
09:58 would spy on us in real life?
10:01 Do you need the big questions answered?
10:03 Are you constantly curious?
10:04 Then why not subscribe to Unveiled for more clips like this one?
10:07 And ring the bell for more thought-provoking content!
10:11 If there is another civilisation out there in space, do they know about us?
10:16 Until now, we certainly don't know about them, and remain alone from our perspective
10:21 as a species.
10:22 As such, it's hard to imagine any scenario where humans wouldn't want to learn as much
10:27 as possible about alien life, if we were ever to discover it.
10:31 The chance to watch life not as we know it would simply be impossible to pass up.
10:36 But that doesn't mean that we'd make contact immediately.
10:39 Rather, we'd want a view from a distance, and preferably without our subjects knowing
10:44 anything about us.
10:46 We wouldn't want them to know that we know they're there.
10:49 It wouldn't be the only way forward, but many see it as the most likely.
10:53 Which presumably makes it the most likely course of action if the tables were turned,
10:57 too.
10:58 The alien race watching us might also prefer to hide themselves.
11:02 And for any number of reasons, including out of fear, out of concern that they might alter
11:07 our evolutionary path, they might spread disease, or kill us off, or simply out of an abundance
11:13 of caution towards the unknown.
11:15 Say an alien group has been watching us.
11:18 Then what do they know so far?
11:20 One unfortunate aspect of humanity is clear; that we're a violent species.
11:25 We're divided, and war and murder are frequent occurrences.
11:29 If they've been watching since World War Two, then they'll have seen the atom bombs
11:33 over Japan.
11:34 More broadly, they'll have seen how we treat animals, smaller organisms, and even other
11:39 people on Earth for personal gain.
11:42 Indeed, a reconnaissance mission to Earth might turn any potential alien away from ever
11:47 physically visiting it, based on observation.
11:50 And so, watching in secret could become crucial in order to keep tabs on our progress and
11:55 assess the risk that we might pose to the rest of space.
11:58 A von Neumann probe is probably the best way forward.
12:02 A von Neumann probe is a hypothetical spacecraft that's outfitted with advanced AI capable
12:08 of self-replicating and putting itself into position around exoplanets, moons, or just
12:13 about anything else in the universe.
12:15 Theorised by the physicist John von Neumann, the probe could potentially mine asteroids
12:21 for the materials needed to build more versions of itself.
12:24 But its wider value to interplanetary espionage is clear; if humans were to discover a sure
12:30 sign of alien life, it's likely what we would send to investigate it.
12:34 If it were possible for us to build just one of these probes, then we'd soon have multiple
12:39 of them (as is their design) watching our cosmological neighbours.
12:43 So, again, we might expect an alien group to do the same thing when targeting us.
12:49 The self-replication is ultimately the most original and vital capability of a von Neumann
12:54 probe, as these things could fill a whole galaxy over time, perhaps within just a few
12:59 million years.
13:00 As they spread and spread, they give whoever launches the first probe an opportunity to
13:05 gradually tighten their grip on whatever planet or civilisation they wish to monitor.
13:10 And because of the small size of each individual machine, to do so without being detected.
13:16 Consider the prospect of von Neumann probes crossed with nanotechnology, and there's
13:20 even more potential to spy and truly remain invisible.
13:24 But, according to some, with tech that's not even that advanced, and only slightly
13:28 better than our own, an alien civilisation might have already managed to put such a probe
13:33 in place around our planet… should they have wanted to.
13:37 The physicist James Benford is a leading voice here, suggesting that co-orbital objects - or
13:43 objects that revolve around the sun from the same distance as the Earth does - offer the
13:47 ideal location or cover for alien spy technology.
13:52 Probes either on, near or masquerading as co-orbital objects are always close to Earth,
13:58 while remaining a small enough speck against the backdrop of space to go unnoticed even
14:02 by our best telescopes.
14:04 In general, co-orbital objects haven't been studied in depth so far, because they were
14:09 only discovered by us just a couple of decades ago.
14:12 So, when it comes to mapping the solar system, these things are a looming grey area.
14:17 Other potential hosts for a von Neumann probe, or a fleet of von Neumann probes, include
14:22 our moon and even the upper reaches of our own atmosphere.
14:26 While no real evidence has ever been officially released of possible alien tech on the moon,
14:31 theories abound… and some are more compelling than others.
14:35 Meanwhile, the Black Knight satellite remains the best example of a theorised probe within
14:40 our own atmosphere, and we took a closer look in another recent video.
14:44 Most mainstream analysis agrees that it's probably just a discarded piece of space debris…
14:49 but could it, in fact, be the beginning of a von Neumann surveillance network?
14:53 Then again, there's some argument that a watching alien race wouldn't actually need
14:57 to send probes of any kind at all.
15:00 It may feel as though telescopes have been around forever, and therefore aren't especially
15:04 cutting edge… but actually, even just on Earth or launched from Earth, they're improving
15:10 at a staggering rate.
15:11 The recently launched James Webb Telescope is 100 times more powerful than the Hubble
15:16 Telescope, humanity's former flagship mission.
15:20 Looking further ahead, however, there are already plans to develop telescopes that are
15:24 large, powerful and accurate enough to see the surface features of a target planet in
15:29 detail… perhaps as clearly as we currently see our own world via satellite imagery.
15:35 Estimates vary, but at the most optimistic, it's hoped that we might achieve this within
15:39 the next 100 years.
15:41 So, could a hypothesised alien race that's just a century more advanced than us already
15:47 have this capability?
15:49 And could they already be using it to watch our every move?
15:52 Or might they have chosen a different path that we humans are also only just beginning
15:57 to realise?
15:58 For example, researchers have theorised about one day sending a group of telescope probes
16:03 into space that will use our sun's gravity as a magnifying lens, again allowing them
16:08 to see far-off planets up close.
16:11 This project, called the Solar Gravity Lens, is today backed by NASA… but might even
16:16 a slightly older than us and more developed alien civilisation have it already?
16:21 We can't know for sure, but we can't rule it out.
16:25 Beyond supercharged telescopes, one of the most popular E.T. conspiracy theories argues
16:30 that really, aliens don't need to watch us from afar by any means, because they walk
16:35 or fly among us.
16:37 The idea is that alien beings can so seamlessly blend into human society, perhaps to the point
16:43 that they bend physics to remain unseeable.
16:46 On the simplest level, the ever-increasing number of UFO sightings in the twenty-first
16:50 century has gotten the whole world talking.
16:53 The footage isn't only grainy stills submitted by one-off members of the public anymore.
16:58 There are now whole libraries of UFO clips, many of which come from within the world's
17:03 militaries and governments.
17:04 So, perhaps that's how they're spying on us, by simply zooming around our planet going
17:09 mostly unnoticed… apart from occasionally when they slip up and do get filmed by us,
17:14 using our limited video tech.
17:16 But really, with or without advanced machines and capabilities, it would still carry considerable
17:22 risk to spy on us from the inside.
17:24 The safer bet would still be to watch from a distance… from a point that's determined
17:29 to be just far enough away that we, the lowly humans, would never know they were there.
17:35 Extreme space telescopes would then be one method, but perhaps the von Neumann approach
17:40 wins out.
17:41 True, we watch the skies today more than we ever have done in human history… but is
17:45 it so unlikely that we could still be missing a nearby flotilla of alien probes, surveilling
17:52 everything we do?
17:53 Because that could be how aliens would most likely spy on us in real life.
17:59 What do you think?
18:00 Is there anything we missed?
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