"We want to talk": why humanity searches for life in the Universe discussed in the "Russia Speaks" podcast
The main driving force behind the search for life in the Universe is not only scientific curiosity, but also the desire for dialogue with another form of intelligence. This was shared in the podcast of the National Centre RUSSIA titled "Are We Alone? How Space Changes Our Consciousness" by astronomer and science communicator Dmitry Wiebe, Doctor of Physical and Mathematical Sciences and Head of the Department of Stellar Physics and Evolution at the Institute of Astronomy of the Russian Academy of Sciences.
According to the scientist, the discovery of even the most primitive forms of life beyond Earth would represent a major scientific breakthrough. However, it would not answer humanity’s deeper inner question.
"We can say as much as we like that we are interested in finding life in the Universe, but in reality we are interested in talking. If we discover some bacteria on Mars, it will be a fundamental discovery, but we cannot talk to them. Why do we deceive ourselves? We want to search for our brothers in intelligence," Dmitry Wiebe noted.
The conversation also addressed how human consciousness changes simply due to the possibility that other civilisations may exist. The speakers discussed why the search for extraterrestrial intelligence is becoming part of the cultural agenda and how the development of modern astronomical instruments influences this process.
The podcast of the National Centre RUSSIA "Are We Alone? How Space Changes Our Consciousness" featuring Dmitry Wiebe is available to watch on the website of the National Centre RUSSIA, as well as on VKontakte, Odnoklassniki, Rutube, and Dzen.
"Russia Speaks" is the podcast of the National Centre RUSSIA dedicated to science, technology and the future. In each episode, hosts and guests explore how modern discoveries are reshaping our understanding of the world and humanity’s place in the Universe.
