Fatal-Noogie wrote:
Here's a problem with visiting life in another universe (even if it were physically possible):
What are the odds of finding a planet with intelligent life in the first place?
let alone life with similar methods of communication? We have reason to believe whales are highly intelligent,
yet we can scarcely communicate with them at all, and we've been trying for centuries.
If you were transported into a foreign civilization of similar intelligence in a parallel universe,
you might never understand each other within your lifespan. You would have to hope that
those that find you have greater interest in keeping you alive than killing you. Even so,
you could wind up as a circus freak, or a subject of their amusement.
Supposing you transfer to a universe with seemingly ideal conditions:
A planet with ~1g gravity, and breathable, oxygen-rich atmosphere, inhabited by a benevolent,
highly communicable civilization, Yet all life on this planet is silicon-based, and the residents,
though intent on keeping you alive, cannot find or generate organic, carbon-based molecules with which to give you food?
That would suck.
Still, the possibilities are fun to think about.
It is no accident that carbon is the basis of life. While silicone is similar to carbon, its bonding energies make it less suitable for forming "organic" compounds. There is a good chance any life we run into Elsewhere will be carbon-water based. Even so it may be radically unlike what we are used to. Think of what life would be like if the critters from the Devonian era had survived longer.
ruveyn