Are There Only 36 Alien Societies?

Senior Astronomer Seth Shostak addresses the findings of a new paper that suggests there are only 36 alien societies in our galaxy.

[@kenn743]

2 aliens are talking in outer space, looking down on Earth. "It seems the inhabitants of planet Earth have created nuclear technology and missiles" says one alien "are they showing signs of intelligence?" asks the other "I dont think so. They seem to be aiming at themselves"

[@beckyweaver5981]

Star visitors: “There are no signs of intelligent life on this place called earth except for whales, dolphins, and dogs.”” Humans: “We don’t see any signs of intelligent life anywhere out there in the universe and the odds of it happening are tiny.” Humans: “Get those nuclear warheads ready to fire.”” Star Visitors: “the children are playing with matches, maybe we better intervene.”

[@leesmith5154]

Lmfao...Love it!

[@leesmith5154]

@@beckyweaver5981 Yours was great too! I sometimes wonder if & when they do intervene,will they get rid of us to allow those humble,awesome creatures you named,(that we tend to dominate & make into pets)"freedom to exist in their environments",if we haven't destroyed everything they will need, beyond repair by then!? Also here's another scenario- what will become of most of our domesticated animals if we become the ET's pets?

[@Corrupted_Mind1]

Sad but true Kenneth 👍 😔

[@williambrandondavis6897]

You guys apparently never considered the possibility that all the nukes are a self destruct button to deter any alien race from trying to take over our planet? Come on, even military jets have self destruct features. Every single space ship in sci fi has a self destruct sequence but somehow you dismiss the possibility earth has one as if it’s an impossibility or ludicrous.

[@woocha79]

Back in 2001 during the National Press Club disclosure event they stated at that time there were 57 species they knew of and cataloged.

[@JayDee-wl3zw]

That's a good catch, 2 more years and everyone will know soon 😉

[@book3100]

Come on, it's 42. Everybody knows that.

[@stealthnegro001]

Bingo! lol

[@TheOrphicLyre]

Oh yeah, I had 41 but I forgot the zhargons

[@the_regulator1145]

Everyone forgets to carry the 1 once in a while lol

[@healingandbeyondvicky8953]

@@stealthnegro001 really ?...

[@keynadaby]

You have 42 likes in your comment lol

[@karih9592]

"And you are hardly discreet, broadcasting all of your strengths and weaknesses out into the universe for any discreet observer to see. No advanced technological society broadcasts in this way. That is why you will not find radio signals coming from space because no one who values their security ever broadcasts in such a manner." [The Greater Community, Contact with Intelligent Life in the Universe]

[@sleepyproduction7166]

Didn’t we send something to space that describes us and our problems? Some disc I think. But we do make a lot of noise, and noise tends to attract things.

[@jonathansoko5368]

I understand that people like you find this to be a profound statement. I for one think it sounds good, but it is an incredibly ignorant thing to say. For a person to believe that, you have to assume a lot. I for one am not so arrogant. Maybe next time you quote it, you will think more.

[@Angela-tx7hb]

I read the first book Allies of humanity. I found a lot of contradictions as well as I’m very uncomfortable with them making it a God thing. That ruins all credibility for me.

[@karih9592]

@@jonathansoko5368 Yes, keep on thinking and you will never find the truth.

[@jay-kg8ke]

I appreciated their attempt to delve into the question more but I thought there were too many assumptions as well.

[@HypnotherapyGrounded]

I have read channeled information that placed the number of alien civilizations in the galaxy that could pass as humans on Earth at 400,000. The number that appear basically human but with some obvious difference such as blue or green skin, extreme height, unusual facial features, scales or claws is much greater. The number of civilizations that do not resemble humans at all are an even greater number, and then there are civilizations that are pure energy and no longer need a body to function. At the point when we value the lives of everyone on this planet, regardless of color or culture and make sure all have medical care, education, enough food to eat and shelter from the elements, then we will be welcomed into the galactic community. While we wage war and watch others starve, we are not yet worthy.

[@blackholeentry3489]

In other words, a very looooong time. While I cannot claim to have seen any others, I've certainly seen their crafts...on four separate occasions, gong all the way back to the late 60's. Because of this, I have attended the McMenamins UFO Convention three times out of the last five years and last year, my wife went with me. There, I've chatted with many others with similar experiences. It is said our government knows full well of what is going on, but full UFO disclosure is being withheld out of fear of how the religious 'right' will handle it. I say, 'Disclose and let the chips fall wherever they may" BHE

[@mkprocter882]

what chanelled source was it from?

[@TheINFJChannel]

No. No, you have not.

[@blackholeentry3489]

@@TheINFJChannel Because you're too lazy to address WHOM you're replying to, no one knows except you.

[@IamAlijahaTara]

I’ve have been looking for this information all my life. This seems more realistic than 36. The universe is vast and the number of beings (speaking logically) should be vast too. I truly appreciate you. I just wish we could begin to be shown what they look like and where they come from specifically and told their specific purpose or role in the cosmos. This should be what taught in school not some of the useless information focused to be memorized and regurgitated.

[@thebagonline2113]

I love how they used a screen shot of the Citadel from Mass Effect 😁

[@thesacredgempath]

Life adaps to where it was born, life can be anywhere, but spirits are everywhere

[@d.g.1986]

Aliens understand that... They're aware that consciousness transcends the physical form.

[@VNuxion]

@@d.g.1986 Can you tell me where I can find more information about that?

[@john5155]

We are all Energy, Alive or Dead.

[@thesacredgempath]

@@john5155 we can't die

[@kylel7158]

@@d.g.1986 Can you tell me how I can get my consciousness to order pizza while I'm sleeping please

[@Royal_Chief_Architect]

I would say the assumption is this is the only environment in the universe that can create intelligent life. In a universe like ours we may be water earth air creatures, and there are others of other basis.

[@Alex-qj8si]

Man we would all love to live in a star wars universe but 36 is a good number

[@teodortheentertainer6082]

There was a video on youtube about alien species and dates of arrival on this planet. And the upcoming date was 2020. However i can't find this video now, maybe it was deleted.

[@Red-Feather]

Life doesn’t just evolve upward. It can and does sidewards. It takes ‘love’ or a special kind of energy for upward vertical energy.

[@geemanbmw]

Seth wears his heart on his sleeve and I love him for it. Genuine as you can get

[@zigman3105]

Super loose sleeves

[@teepot4539]

Cash money

[@etherico3041]

Academia finally acknowledges aliens and the number they came up with is 36. It’s all in the numerology for me.

[@ajayllar]

Right 😭 36….??!!

[@blackholeentry3489]

More like 36,000.

[@IamAlijahaTara]

@@blackholeentry3489or 36,000 x 100. The universe is too vast for it to just be 36. These humans probably only had contact with 36. The others are like nope Earth is too ghetto rn for us to communicate with them, we’ll come back in 1 eon.

[@RobertF-]

See the book and documentary "The Privileged Planet". The Sun, Earth, and Moon's placement within the solar system and also the entire galaxy does not seem to be at random but rather carefully calculated. If this is actually true, it would greatly affect our understanding of other similar planets and civilizations in the Milky Way galaxy.

[@sigurdkaputnik7022]

"carefully calculated" by whom? Sounds too much like divine intervention. I say, we have won the cosmic lottery, to be on a planet that can sustain life over bilions of years.

[@FlopgamingOne]

So out of all the planets in the universe, humanity only appears on the one that is suitable for humanity? so deep dude...

[@tablescissors]

I like this dude. He speaks sense.

[@Bigapplegirl81]

There were 2 aliens sitting at a bar. One was green the other was grey. the green alien asked "Hey man, are you gonna take the covid vaccine?" The grey alien replied "Hell no! They haven't even finished testing it on humans yet."

[@sandienesta1467]

im green, if i were blue i would die... beep bop boopity boop

[@IamAlijahaTara]

@@sandienesta1467😂😂😂 it’s the beep boops for me! I don’t know you but I love your sense of humor.

[@sandienesta1467]

@@IamAlijahaTara that is so kind, of u to say! i checked out your channel and love the intro! bippity bobbity, BOOP! u been booped! i will sub now.

[@Adam_M98]

There is definitely aliens out there. It's just go to be true when you consider how big the universe is.

[@hectorrosado7400]

How U think we got the tech of today specially that fast?,even rocket scientists lk Elon needs help from the best,they had play with our nuclear weapon systems twice and our GOVs knows it they ain't gonna be able to cover it and like us some are hostile or racist.

[@Prayukth]

4.5 to 5 billion years for the universe to produce a Seth...was worth the wait...

[@williambrandondavis6897]

That hypothesis is out of date since the discovery that the expansion of the universe is accelerating.

[@SuperTonyony]

Read the book "Rare Earth". They make a darn good case.

[@tuhinkumardutta]

The communication medium between alien civilization is not Radio Waves, it's Light Zero is Darkness and One is Light to interpret the messages we need a new Devices to convert flashes of light from distant Galaxies to Binary numbers to further get the information, the computer is not our (human) invention but it's a communication medium between Galaxies and each habitable planet is also a communication device.

[@likestomeasurestuff3554]

goddess of competence, why du you leave us so often

[@SevenFootPelican]

36 in the observable universe or just the Milky Way Galaxy?

[@capthenry2668]

There are thousands of different e.t. species several different dozen species are actually here on Earth as we speak in several countries including the US and working with the US government and with other governments

[@arbiterofreason2068]

Didn't they mean only 36 intelligent civilizations at any given time? That sounds a bit more accurate!

[@driftertravelerman6893]

Thats somewhat believable

[@driftertravelerman6893]

@@candyman6905Out there in space and shit nigga wyt?

[@LethalByChoice]

@@driftertravelerman6893 Specifically in the milky way, not the whole universe. There is likely more than 36 million in the universe.

[@Sam.s777]

36 at the same time sounds a bit more accurate

[@danielhurtado9352]

Indeed O’sport

[@vmcv3284]

Seti guys are awesome

[@kjdempsey]

The greys cured my phimosis back in 2012

[@tmanjangles2570]

Elaborate please.

[@plingket]

Eleborate pweese

[@rocknrye9273]

There different species of greys.

[@kjdempsey]

@@tmanjangles2570 so basically it’s where your foreskin is too tight and you can’t retract it when erect

[@kjdempsey]

@@rocknrye9273 they’re experimenting with us. We’re nothing more than lab rats to them. We’re not an intelligent species

[@StereoSpace]

If Art Linkletter were alive today, he'd have a TV show called 'Academics Claim the Darndest Things!'

[@kellyk.8519]

I feel like an alien. I remember in high school for science our teacher did finger prints. And I freaked him out. He said every single one of my finger prints was different on each finger. Then when I got a little older, I had my first and only incident with the law. (Being a 💩 head and drinking) finger prints again, stuned the police officer by my odd prints. My first pregnancy, got super sick and found out my uterus is different. One day I got really sick, went to the hospital, my kidney is huge, 50cm non functioning, had it removed. Found out my liver is missing a protein. Got an ear infection one day, went to my skull had to have a scan, found out my ear canals are not normal shape, told to stay out of water. Go to the optometrist, get told my eyes are changing, the coloured part doesn't want to stay in a circle, you need special hard contact lenses. Weird as.

[@deanovonbeano7727]

Sounds like you have a genetic disorder. Do Some research into waardenburg syndrome. I too have several abnormalities like I was created for a different planet. It turns out I Have a pax3 gene mutation in my DNA which has caused this

[@ChronicBreakdown]

Interesting

[@kellyk.8519]

@@ChronicBreakdown it's odd isn't it. I did take an ancestry DNA test, normal results quite human and non related parents 😂

[@lzwave7415]

Never dated an alien before 🤔🤣

[@kellyk.8519]

I look like an alien.. ok careful now could be probing time 👆 😂

[@PattyDung]

Could be zero. Could be multiple millions. Pretty sure it's less than 100 billion (in this galaxy at least). The Nottingham paper is a classic example of 'If we apply arbitrary labels to the unknown, then we've learnt [Brit spelling] something about it'. Yeah. Right.

[@NRfault]

*I dont know IM FROM MEXICO*

[@nyprpapi01]

Someone once said that all these ideas, Movies, TV shows and Books that are created are done by people who are empaths with a tether, a so called psychic connection to another World or Dimension. For example Stan Lee made up Spider man and The Incredible Hulk, did he get this idea through a meditative state or did an alien come to him and say in this particular place humans have powers. So maybe there are dimensions where people like Star Trek, Star Wars, Alien, Predator .... so and so forth exist. Or maybe we are an experiment that aliens created. Our technology is like lego blocks to them, we are violent, animalistic, parasitic, and they will only come down when we destroyed ourselves to claim Earth as their own and scrap it for resources like those alien in Independence Day which can be a warning like The Thing and Zygote.

[@bumblebee6573]

Very interesting theory at this point with what's going on who knows🤔.

[@82pythons85]

You’re close…

[@skeaneable]

Justice League cartoon series had that concept where members of the League got accidentally transported to a world inhabited by heroes based on a comic book read by Green Lantern John Stewart when he was a kid

[@andressigalat602]

@@skeaneable That's an idea that comes originally from the comics. When they reinvented The Flash for the '60s, the writers decided to make the original Flash from the '40s (Jay Garrick) fictional in the new Flash (Barry allen) universe. That way, Allen was inspired to take his superhero name because he was a fan of the old comic-books. But then they wanted to have a story where the two Flashes worked together, so they said that Jay Garrick really existed in its own parallel Earth, wich was named Earth-2. That way Allen could dimension hop to Earth-2 and meet Garrick. They justified this by saying that the stories of Garrick came to the comic-book writer in a dream, somehow crossing dimensions. The story was so popular that soon after other '40s superheroes were revealed to be living in Earth-2, until the whole Justice Society (the old team from the '40s) had annual crossovers with the Justice League. From then onwards, fictional characters being real in another universe, was a common idea througout DC's multiverse, that has been used many times, including in some adaptations.

[@videosbymathew]

A nice video as always! Your alternative to the first assumption would make the 36 number even lower though, not more optimistic. The second assumption is of course an average lifetime of radio technology... most likely the civilization gets destroyed by that point. It's completely reasonable that we place severe constraints on the proliferation of life and civilizations at-the-moment and why the number is so low regardless of the number of stars out there. Don't forget the vastness of time and space as well as hugely 'dispersing' factors for the at-the-moment number of civilizations, not to mention the parameters needed for life to get going on a planet, for it to eventually get intelligence and civilization, and for it to survive even a fraction of that time before others get a chance to say hello.

[@staceys4471]

Why would more than 36 be optimistic

[@hans-olofsvensson1195]

Who's only watching this because Seth is always so funny?

[@twitchi8478]

Probably the most entertaining astronomer

[@WormholeJim]

I'm watching because I wanted to know how SETI went from waving a radio transcript with the word "wow" written on it when talking about alien life to wondering whether there is really only 36 alien civilizations in the galaxy. I guess the joke's on me.

[@FelixRamos-n8u]

The number of species we have on record is because those species feel that they need some relation with the human world

[@tabo01]

i love creative writing.

[@gregorywaynemartin9613]

"Okay, maybe you're a dinosaur anyhow." Yeah, we have a bunch of those on this planet. Lol.

[@paytonwilliams4352]

Very nice now let’s see Paul Allen’s alien society’s video

[@sigurdkaputnik7022]

"The tasteful thickness of its theories.....Oh my god - it even has an alien watermark!"😄😄

[@studentfitness5954]

When he says maybe the went of the air because of pandemics Humans: chuckles "im in danger"

[@boikatsapiens499]

Wasn't there an interview a couple of days ago, connected to the UAP hearing, where the guy being interviewed said there were between 60 and 80 alien species involved that have made secret contact over the past decades? If so, were there any Vulcans, Klingons, Cat People, Dog People, Squirrel People, Squid People...?

[@craigmain248]

Where is my coffee Shostak ? You keep moving the goalposts (20 years in the future). I have been waiting for 20 years already.

[@samnork1861]

I've been waiting for 60-plus years!

[@WorldAquariumSingapore]

there should be 4689 alien societies , this is for sure

[@zapfanzapfan]

We've had high powered high frequency radio for about 80 years, I guess we'll see in another 20 years about their prediction... maybe we are peaceful and all home working on line, no airport radars, no ballistic missile radars... we could go fairly quiet...

[@theheadshot45]

Of course they made assumptions Seth, it's an astronomy article! Furthermore, never at any point do they say the number is 36 to two decimal places as you suggest. They actually say their calculations suggest AT LEAST 36 (-32, +175). This is a very dishonest representation of their results you have put forward. You want to attack the media's representation of the paper? Go for it. But these researchers don't deserve to be misrepresented.

[@mattysavage2800]

that's just in this galaxy apparently there's billions of galaxy's

[@step7274]

Well done, as always!

[@heartyhuman]

The Fermi Paradox is, or could very well be, due to the prime directive.

[@richardtaylor9227]

I saw the summary of a document that said there was 72.

[@philochristos]

Maybe they should've said, "Between 1 and 100 billion."

[@zappababe8577]

Humans: "The Wow signal can't be of technological origin, because it would have been repeated" Also Humans: Sends the Arecibo message - once.

[@kwren-od3si]

Si

[@lindadennis7435]

Your comments are noted and worthy. There are over 60 that have come to earth and many species that live in our mountains, oceans and under ground. Their calculations are WAY off. LD

[@thezigrat561]

Counting us , The Shoul, there are 40

[@thedeltadouble9701]

There’s 69 everyone knows 🤦‍♂️

[@myimer]

Forrrrrget about the galgamecks! Rabble rabble rabble rabble!!!!!!

[@deusdat]

If there were 36 societies in the Galaxy, at least one of theme would be thousands of years ahead of us - and would already be here, commenting this paper.

[@earthorigins3509]

Yep, they are here. Where? In Africa throwing spears practicing for the Olympics.

[@ticket67]

When they read "radio" anywhere the SETI people scramble to protect their great jobs.

[@ChessNoobX]

Funny thing is we don't even know the actual size of the universe and yet people make these kind of assumptions🤦

[@jonorhallsson8898]

There are 1.600.000 Societies in this Galaxy but only 1% are space-traelers.

[@devilsposterboy]

them not using radio makes sense if they figured out how to transmit information using quantum entanglement instead. its like saying why would they not use horses or start a fire with sticks and rocks still.

[@mooknick242]

every time there is a planet like Earth? Where have we found one single planet like Earth?

[@sigurdkaputnik7022]

Carl Sagan estimated max. 9-15 advanced civilizations at the same time in our galaxy. Thing is, not only must the planet be hospitable for life, these conditions needs to stay permanent for billions of years. Apart from biological, geological, chemical, athmospheric and physical conditions, there are the astrophysical conditions like 1. Electromagnetic field to shield against radiation 2. stable rotation speed and axis tilt 2. stable sun-like star 3. stable orbits of all planets 4. big gas planets in the outer orbits to shield against asteroids 5. stable stellar environment (no supernovae, no gamma ray bursts etc. within 100 light years, no close-by passing stars that destabilize gravitational balance of planetary orbits) Planets that offer long-term stability of all these conditions are rare - and so are civilizations.

[@squanto7795]

The citadel.

[@davedillon1372]

Who's your cable TV service? How many channels do you have?

[@ron1461]

Please contact the farsight Institute immediately regarding The Galactic Federation of worlds

[@davidescobar5366]

Go out to all the beaches in the world and find that one single grain of sand that is different there than all others. If you use these mathematical principals there I'm sure that there will be others like it however.

[@timmackey8133]

Sez Seti the Yetti

[@royspeller494]

How would they know there could be thousands of societies ,since there are trillions of planets out there

[@Villianova]

We have 12 in our local star group alone

[@ThomasDankerl]

Telepathic Quantum Communication (100 years)🎓

[@brianmostowy8433]

You know that I'M a dinosaur ,because of my age .😂

[@bozo5632]

I thought it was 42.

[@sparksmacoy]

Why won't they talk to us!!????!! Is it something we did?

[@wouter.d.h.]

Just too many dead planets and the distances are too big

[@MarsClosed]

A message from the Joint Galactic High Military Counsulate: Presently, on Earth, there are but two types of humans, natives, and those that arrived from without. As the latter type refuses to explain it's origins (known), there shall be no travel to or from the planet Earth by any means.

[@theeightiesarebackofficial]

hahahaha the Dyno thingo made me laugh! So true!

[@chrisglover2697]

In this galaxy yes apparently

[@M33Pinwheel]

These Scholars of Nottingham have ignored basic statistics. With a sample size of exactly 1 for stars that we know have at least 1 planet harboring life, we can statistically bracket the number of stars with life-supporting planets. The lower limit is 1 and the upper limit is the number of stars in the galaxy. They have also ignored this bit of popular wisdom, "Never assume: it makes an Ass of U and Me."

[@riassslave558]

this is their trickle-down formula at work, the get used to this ...because the reality of the changes to come is still to be decided, yet vastly differing upon implementation.

[@Darth69906]

You don’t know .. we don’t know.., I don’t know..

[@LordCristianWaters]

Catholic Cosmism will be expanded here with Paul's statement with three heavens (2nd Corinthians 12:2, meaning lower heaven is the seen physical universe with other planets and various life-forms). Then we go back to Genesis with one verse in particular when Adam was banished from Eden. Eden is not on this physical Earth but another heaven/dimension/alternative Earth. This physical Earth is not the same place Adam is from. It is covered by angelic wings covering the entrance of alternative Earth/Eden (Genesis chapter 3). Catholic books tie-in Catholic Cosmism: 2nd Esdras chs.4-7. Without the Catholic books we need understand fully the other biblical sources and expand into Catholic Cosmism.

[@LibertyWarrior68]

There is probably at least 36 Alien lifeforms of this planet.

[@hoovertrading]

Coincidentally, the Urantia Book states that 36 planets fell into rebellion against the Father's rule in our system. Our system sovereign was Lucifer. I've often thought these beings wouldn't be making themselves known if they were loyal

[@josephl6896]

The lower limit is 1. Everything else is a wild guess.

[@Lestat21500]

The only ones I keep hearing about are the tall whites, grey's and the arcturians.

[@TuneyTunesNetwork]

I think of it as, intelligent life is about as common as a lottery winner here on earth.

[@SuperUAP]

Plot twists: Aliens didn't go extinct..they evolved and travelled into space before the asteroids destroyed the world. Only the lesser evolved animals stayed.

[@h.plovecraftn-4307]

What if alien Advance civilization never built a radio wave

[@Kawinah]

the universe is huge and, we maybe be one of the oldest beings to exist? I think there are thousands of species, all we need do is connect, and understand the universe together! if we all become one, wouldn't that be the true meaning of life? find everyone, everywhere?

[@georgialee3432]

You’re also leaving out higher dimensional beings. We are three dimensional beings. There are scientific theories regarding multiple dimensions. If you Bing exist in a higher dimension we as three dimensional beings would not be able to perceive them. I’m not saying there are. But I’m not saying there aren’t. It’s probable. So, there’s that to consider.

[@matthewbailey2013]

Higher beings aren't physical in the constant. They're transitory. Can't be counted in the census. But they're here.

[@aishaabdikarim1840]

Muslims recognize the jinn and angels as other dimensional beings. Angels can come in and out of our dimension.

[@petersclafani4370]

There have 3 alien species known to humans. 1. The grays 2. Reptilian 3. The shining ones Pleiades

[@999.Irminsul.rising]

The number of alien races is infinite like infinite is the universe ✨ 🌐

[@VisionofLov]

Well said. ❤

[@0ldboy1989]

I searched 56 alien alien species and got this, lol. Still very interesting

[@danielx40]

It’s actually 42. I don’t know how you counted 36.

[@ambushedimagination1931]

If I'm gonna say we ain't alone, then I'm gonna go out on a limb and say there would be more than 36, but who am i to assume anything about the Cosmos.

[@scottwilliams4546]

What's the criteria for "Intelligence?" Because I would be hesitant to place humans on that list, but I have a 7 pound dog who is insanely smart. And not just smart for a dog, but very smart for all life forms on earth. He craps in the ivy bushes so I don't have to see or smell it, he barks at the shower when he needs water in his bowl, he follows every command i give him, and he does complex mathematical equations that have to potential to change the world. The problem is that he doesn't know how to write or speak any languages, so he barks them out (mostly when someone unexpectedly knocks on the front door). Its too bad for humanity that little Pedro is not taken seriously.

[@beckyweaver5981]

😇😍🥰❤️😘

[@ShannonHartnett-117]

Well said.

[@Fenix-yx2xl]

Hello everyone. Watch the sequence of the late sgt Clifford Stone and decide for yourselves.

[@beyoncesdaughter9128]

The question is where is the proof of their existence?

[@josephbiben5197]

Turns out I am a dino

[@user-pq1cl3oe5w]

There are currently 879 alien 👾👽