This is a video from my YouTube channel, Jack’s World.
For decades, the Fermi Paradox has confounded scientists and sci-fi fans alike. If the universe is so big and teaming with intelligent life, then where are all the aliens? Many possible solutions have been proposed. But here’s one I’d like to explore.
Aliens exist. And they HATE us.
Filed under Aliens, Jack's World, YouTube
Even if you’re not an avid fan or regular consumer of science fiction, the prospect of discovering extraterrestrial life is intriguing. I believe that, on some level, we want to discover beyond any reasonable doubt that we’re not alone in the universe. Given the sheer size and breadth of the universe, the idea that we’re the only intelligent species just doesn’t sit well.
And it’s largely because of that same size and breadth that most scientists agree. The odds are very likely that there’s life in the universe beyond Earth. It’s not a total certainty. It’s largely derived from the law of averages. Since we started discovering extrasolar planets, the opportunities for life to emerge throughout the universe are vast. It’s just a matter of finding one other instance where the right circumstances were in place.
That effort has been frustrating and prone to plenty of cynicism. But thanks to better technology and tools, namely the James Webb Telescope, science finally has an effective means of studying extrasolar planets in greater detail. Given the vast distances, there’s an inherent challenge to gathering adequate data. But with each advancement and each discovery, we’re getting closer.
And in April 2025, the James Webb telescope discovered what might be the best evidence to date that life exists outside our planet. Granted, this evidence isn’t as cinematic as you’d get in a movie like “Contact.” But from a purely scientific standpoint, this is pretty damn compelling.
The planet in question is an explanet called K2-18b. It’s located approximately 124 light years from Earth, which is not that far in stellar terms. It’s also considerably bigger than Earth. In terms of mass, it’s over eight times larger and it orbits a red dwarf star, which are comparably smaller and cooler than our sun.
But it has been confirmed to be in the habitable zone of that star. It’s also suspected to be a hycean planet, which is basically an planet covered by oceans under a hydrogen atmosphere. Compared to any other planet in our solar system, this is truly an alien world.
And yet, the James Webb Telescope detected what appear to be chemical signatures for dimethyl sulphide and dimethyl disulphide, two chemicals only known to be produced by life. Now, that doesn’t mean that K2-18b is home to some advanced alien civilization. These chemicals are primarily produced by microbes. And at best, K2-18b could simply be an ocean world populated primarily by microbes.
Even if that ends up being the case, it’s still a remarkable discover. It’s still alien life that emerged entirely on another world. It would be definitive proof that life is not exclusive to Earth. And in terms of biological complexity, we are not alone.
Would this realization really shake humanity to its core?
Given the current state of the world, I think that’s expecting too much.
There’s no question that confirming that there’s life on another world would be an incredible discovery. It would definitely have some impact on how we see ourselves as a species. However, I think that impact would be very limited. Human beings barely understand the microbes that live in their gut or belly button. They probably wouldn’t give much thought to microbes on another planet.
It also wouldn’t confirm that there’s other intelligent life in the universe. It could very well be possible that microbial life is quite common in the universe. But intelligent life that’s on par or greater with humans is exceedingly rare or non-existant.
Personally, I don’t think that’s the case. I do believe there is intelligent extraterrestrial life in the universe. We just don’t have the tools, effort, or know-how to find it. Again, the universe is very big. We’ve barely searched our own galactic neighborhood, let alone the universe.
But discovering microbial life on another world might be a necessary step in that process. Simply confirming that life on other words is possible drastically increases the likelihood that intelligent life exists, as well. After all, Earth was once populated only by microbes. It took billions of years of evolution for humanity to evolve. And the universe has been around a lot longer than our solar system.
At the moment, this discovery hasn’t been confirmed. It may very well end up being wrong. But to date, this is the closest we’ve ever come to confirming life on other worlds. And even as our world feel like a chaotic mess, I think it provides a good and necessary perspective.
Filed under Aliens, Current Events, technology
This is a video from my YouTube channel, Jack’s World.
This video explores the inherent dangers and genuine hopes of artificial intelligence through one of my favorite video game franchises of all time, Mass Effect.
Artificial Intelligence is a big part of this galaxy-spanning saga. The main antagonists, the Reapers, represent a worst-case scenario. The synthetic race, the Geth, are also a recurring danger. However, in exploring the vast history and lore of Mass Effect, we gain some remarkable insights into what the future might hold for how we navigate AI. Enjoy!
Filed under Aliens, Artificial Intelligence, comic book reviews, Mass Effect, YouTube
This video is a video from my YouTube channel, Jack’s World. And in this video, I going over some of the terrible life lessons I picked up from watching sitcoms. Enjoy!
Filed under Aliens, Jack's World, television, YouTube
The following is a video from my YouTube channel, Jack’s World. This video is another thought experiment contemplating extraterrestrial civilizations and the ever-present Fermi Paradox. Much has been said about why we can never seem to detect aliens or why they never contact us. But I don’t think enough thought is given as to why an advanced alien civilization would avoid contacting humanity. I try to explore that topic in this video. Enjoy!
Filed under Aliens, Jack's World, Thought Experiment, YouTube
The following is a video from my YouTube channel, Jack’s World. In the spirit of the 4th of July, I decided to do a deep dive into one of my favorite movies of all time, “Independence Day.” Given it’s timely, patriotic themes, I’m sure many will watch at some point in July. However, I believe this movie has more to offer than rousing speeches and alien battles.
I believe this movie presents us with a unique scenario for first contact with extraterrestrial aliens. While it’s a dark, destructive scenario, it may ultimately be the best scenario we can hope for. That may sound strange, but I try to make that case in this vide. Enjoy and have a wonderful 4th of July!
Filed under Aliens, human nature, Jack's World, movies, YouTube
There was a time in my life when I was convinced that aliens were real, UFOs were alien space crafts, and the government was keeping it a secret. It was a strange time, indeed. It coincided with a phase where I watched every documentary involving UFOs, aliens, and conspiracy theories I could get my hands on.
Like Fox Maulder, I wanted to believe. In hindsight, I was too eager to believe.
I’ve since refined my perspective. I still believe there’s other intelligent life in the universe. I just don’t believe they’ve come to this planet and are hiding while the government keeps them secret, “Men In Black” style. That’s just a fanciful conspiracy theory that makes for great movies and TV shows, but not much else.
It’s not the part about intelligent aliens I find unbelievable. It’s peoples’ ability to keep a secret that big that I find so implausible. I don’t care how big a conspiracy theory you are. People can’t keep secrets, especially big ones. There are legitimate psychological reasons for that.
That’s just one of the reasons why I don’t believe the Haim Eshed, the former Israeli Space security chief, when he says aliens exist and humanity has been in contact with them. In a year like 2020, it would almost be fitting that aliens entered the picture. However, this is one story that warrants more than a little skepticism.
In case you missed it, this is what was reported by the Jerusalem Post. Now, it’s no disreputable tabloid, but it’s not exactly the BBC.
The Jerusalem Post: Former Israeli space security chief says aliens exist, humanity not ready
Has the State of Israel made contact with aliens?
According to retired Israeli general and current professor Haim Eshed, the answer is yes, but this has been kept a secret because “humanity isn’t ready.”
Speaking in an interview to Yediot Aharonot, Eshed – who served as the head of Israel’s space security program for nearly 30 years and is a three-time recipient of the Israel Security Award – explained that Israel and the US have both been dealing with aliens for years.
And this by no means refers to immigrants, with Eshed clarifying the existence of a “Galactic Federation.”
The 87-year-old former space security chief gave further descriptions about exactly what sort of agreements have been made between the aliens and the US, which ostensibly have been made because they wish to research and understand “the fabric of the universe.” This cooperation includes a secret underground base on Mars, where there are American and alien representatives.
These are some remarkable claims, to say the least. It is impossible to overstate the implications here. We’re not talking about some scandal involving a politician and an intern. We’re talking about the biggest scientific discovery in the history of humanity.
The discovery that we’re not alone in the universe and there are other alien beings out there would be profound, to say the least. Even in a year like 2020 when we have so many problems to deal with on this planet, such a discovery would have an enormous impact on how we see ourselves and the universe.
That’s exactly why it’s laughable to think that anyone, let alone a vast government conspiracy, could keep such a discovery under wraps. People can keep small secrets to a point, but not secrets this big. That’s not just my opinion. There’s some actual math behind it.
According to Oxford physicist, David Robert Grimes, the large number of people involved in a conspiracy essentially guarantees that it won’t stay secret. It takes thousands of people not saying anything to sustain itself, but it only takes one Edward Snowden to expose it.
For something like intelligent aliens, it would be even harder to suppress. Even if they’re advanced and intelligent, they would leave traces, especially if they were nearby. That would be difficult to hide and even harder to keep quiet on a global scale.
This is a world that can’t even agree on the metric system. How could we, with all our different agendas and politics, all agree to keep a secret this big?
I won’t say it’s completely impossible. I don’t like being that absolute in my statements. I’ll just say it’s exceedingly improbable. I’d put it right up there with the sun being made of radioactive cheese.
However, if that’s still not convincing enough, there’s one other reason why I don’t by Mr. Eshed’s statement. It also has nothing to do with my position on government conspiracies and why people can’t keep secrets.
The man is trying to sell something. Specifically, he’s trying to sell a book. In the same article in which he makes his bold claim, there’s this little tidbit that the headline doesn’t mention.
Eshed provided more information in his newest book, The Universe Beyond the Horizon – conversations with Professor Haim Eshed, along with other details such as how aliens have prevented nuclear apocalypses and “when we can jump in and visit the Men in Black.” The book is available now for NIS 98.
For me, that’s the reddest of red flags. The man is selling a book and this bold claim is basically a sales pitch. He’s making this ground-breaking revelation that could potentially change the world. Then, he directs people to buy his book to learn more.
Anyone who has ever dealt with public relations or sales people should immediately realize what’s going on. The rule of thumb is that if it looks like a sales gimmick, chances are that’s exactly what it is. This certainly matches that critera.
Even Fox Maulder would be skeptical at this point. Honestly, what’s more likely?
Could it be that a retired space security chief is finally breaking his silence and revealing to the world that thousands of people have been keeping this secret about aliens for decades?
Or could it just be a man making a bold, but false claim that he hopes will help him sell more books?
I know the Fox Maulder in us all wants to believe, but sometimes Occam’s Razor just cuts too deep. I still believe aliens are out there and I hope they visit us one day. I just don’t think they’ve arrived yet. Chances are, when they do arrive, we’ll know and no conspiracy will be necessary.
Filed under Aliens, Current Events, human nature, psychology
The world is in serious situation. We’ve never felt less safe, less certain, and less hopeful in generations. There’s a good reason for that. Between a global pandemic and the distressing rise of authoritarian populists, these are genuinely scary times. Finding reprieve from that world has never been more valuable.
For that reason, “Destroy All Humans,” a colorful remaster from an equally colorful video game from the mid-2000s, might be the most precious reprieve you can get for under $50 these days. In a year when pools are closed, concerts are cancelled, and movie theaters are going bankrupt, this is the kind of game we need right now. It’s so seriously unserious that it works better now than it did in the mid-2000s.
The premise is as absurd as it is fun. You play an alien named Crypto-137, a member of the highly advanced Furon race. You’re sent to Earth in 1959 after your predecessor, Crypto-136, dies on a mission and is captured by the United States Government. You’re job is to infiltrate Earth, study the humans, gather DNA, and eventually take the whole planet over.
This is not “Independence Day.”
This is not a story about humanity rising to the challenge and triumphing over an overwhelmingly advanced opponent.
In fact, humanity in “Destroy All Humans” are so cartoonishly ignorant and childlike that they hardly seem worth conquering at times. Being able to infiltrate, manipulate, and destroy them with advanced alien technology isn’t that great a challenge, logistically speaking.
That doesn’t stop the game from being wildly fun. You’re not a hero or a villain. You’re not part of some complex, convoluted story that requires deep introspection on right, wrong, and everything in between. “Destroy All Humans” is basically the perfect antidote to those still fuming over “The Last of Us Part 2.”
You’re part of an alien race. Conquering Earth and subduing humanity is just a necessary effort for the good of the Furon race. Along the way, you do encounter humans who are more challenging than others, namely the Men In Black rip-off group, Majestic. They provide much of the game’s puzzles and challenges. However, most other characters are ignorant caricatures that rip off every 1950s tropes.
On top of that, there’s plenty of crude humor and innuendo. Yes, that includes anal probes and cow shit at times. “Destroy All Humans” is not a game that tries to redefine its humor for 2020 sensibilities. It sticks to the basics and makes them work. You’ll laugh. You’ll be disgusted. You’ll even be offended a few times, but only to the extent that you’re part of a species as dumb as humans.
At the same time, you’ll have loads of fun.
That’s what makes this game worth playing. It’s just fun at its most pure and crude. You zap things with blasters. You levitate things with your mind. You use anal probes as weapons. You lay waste to towns and cities in a giant UFO. There is a story along the way, but it’s a simple story that only serves to motivate the mayhem.
That’s what made the game worth playing when it first came out. Now, this remastered version has provided some updated graphic and improved controls. If you already played the game when it came out on the Playstation 2, you won’t see anything you haven’t seen before. It’s just in glorious HD with a much better color pallet.
If you’ve never played “Destroy All Humans” and are in need of something to pass the time for the rest of this miserable summer, then you’re in luck. This game is pure, unserious entertainment for a franchise that’s ripe for rebirth. I highly recommend it and if you can stomach the use of anal probes, you’ll enjoy this.
No go forth, stir-crazy gamers of the world. Go forth and destroy all humans!
Filed under Aliens, video games
The following is a video on my YouTube channel, Jack’s World. It’s a thought experiment about aliens, first contact, and how to ensure the human race wouldn’t freak out. I hope it’s both thought provoking and engaging. Enjoy!
As always, I welcome comments and feedback. If there’s a topic or idea you’d like me to do a video about, please let me know. I’d be happy to explore it.
Filed under Aliens, Jack's World, psychology, Thought Experiment, YouTube
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