Episode+1,+Aliens+In+Are+We+Alone?

I really enjoyed this episode. Stephen Hawking's ideas about aliens are very interesting, but one of the things that I was unsure about was the way in which alien life in far off parts of the universe and galaxy were addressed. I completely agree that the likelihood that in a universe of this size and age, the idea that we are the only planet with sentient life forms seems unlikely, even egotistical. However, the way he thinks that the laws that govern life on earth will apply to such life forms in these distant corners of the universe. Until later in the episode, when he considers aliens that went down a different evolutionary path, altering the basic life form chemistry, replacing water with liquid nitrogen and carbon with silicone, I didn’t really agree with his focus on water being the substance needed by all life forms to survive. . The sequence where he imagines, using basic features that we imagine animals need to survive, such as an "input orifice" if they eat, legs if they live on land, eyes if the surface is well lit, gives rise to an alien entity, illustrated with helpful CGI, complete with landscape and even a predator for this beast. Another thing I find interesting is that the alien races imagined are only those that are similar to animals on earth that do not create civilizations or to go to the extreme opposite, civilizations that are vastly more advanced than our own. Why can’t there be another civilization on a similar level as our own? The lack of alien contact then makes a lot of sense. If we have not voyaged very far out into surrounding space, it makes sense that a civilization at a similar level of technological advancement might not have either. Hawking ends with a comparison of Christopher Columbus’s 1492 expedition to the “new world” and discovering a new race of people to whatever alien encounter the future may hold. But will we take on the role of Columbus, or will we be the inhabitants of the new world that receive the alien life forms?
 * Caroline:**

This episode of Steven Hawking’s three-episode series was very interesting as it delved into the existence and make-up of aliens through discussing several different paths. Prior to watching this episode, I possessed a level of skepticism concerning the existence of aliens but once I saw the initial 3D portrayal of the vast universe, I was convinced that Earth cannot be the only planet with developing and relatively advanced life forms. During one part of Hawking’s analysis of the possibility of aliens, he describes the evidence of life that has been found within our solar system on neighboring planets such as Mars. Although we are aware that significant life forms do not live on Mars, the ability of organisms to survive on the planet opens up a range of opportunities for humans. These may include the possibility of some humans inhabiting Mars in the distant future conditions due to situations such as over-population on Earth or the desire to conduct permanent research expeditions if the conditions become livable. I agree with Hawking’s statement that water is essential to all life because evidence of life on other planets has arisen in regions where water is present, creating a livable environment for organisms to thrive. One of the ideas that I did not particularly agree with was Hawking’s physical descriptions of aliens. He described them as having similar features to humans and animals on Earth, which is understandable, but I feel as though he did not dwell into the possibility of aliens with characteristics that are far more advanced than those we possess. Regardless, Hawking’s argument of the possible existence of aliens was very convincing and provided a broad range of information that was both very intriguing and sparked my interest in the topic of aliens. I also find that Hawking’s prestigious reputation seems to legitimize his claims more so than if the show was not part of his research.
 * Darya:**

STEWART!!!!1!: