Comments on: Alt ETI Tech–Science as we do not know it https://habitablezone.com/2018/04/22/alt-eti-tech/ Fri, 03 Apr 2026 18:20:54 -0700 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: ER https://habitablezone.com/2018/04/22/alt-eti-tech/#comment-41410 ER Mon, 23 Apr 2018 02:56:42 +0000 https://habitablezone.com/?p=70561#comment-41410 Rats live everywhere, all over the planet, in the wild, or in our cities. They are more adaptable, and will be occupying many different and separate environments. There's a lot of material there for evolution to work on. Rats live everywhere, all over the planet, in the wild, or in our cities. They are more adaptable, and will be occupying many different and separate environments. There’s a lot of material there for evolution to work on.

]]> By: RL https://habitablezone.com/2018/04/22/alt-eti-tech/#comment-41409 RL Mon, 23 Apr 2018 02:17:08 +0000 https://habitablezone.com/?p=70561#comment-41409 My vote is for the meercats.... My vote is for the meercats….

]]> By: ER https://habitablezone.com/2018/04/22/alt-eti-tech/#comment-41408 ER Mon, 23 Apr 2018 01:58:27 +0000 https://habitablezone.com/?p=70561#comment-41408 In a related investigation--- if primates are wiped out in some global catastrophe, what other species is most likely to evolve into an intelligence or civilization. My guess is it would have to be a mammal, or maybe a bird (less likely). Only warm-blooded vertebrates have sufficiently complex anatomies and efficient physiologies that could support intelligence, and an evolved social structure would help. Most predators would be ruled out, they have to constantly optimize their propulsion, weaponry and sensory systems so they would not develop tool making ability. They are also constrained by having to follow their prey. My guess is rats would take over. They are social, intelligent, omnivorous. Its a wonder primates were the first to evolve intelligence. Especially since they were forced to give up their major advantage, advanced arboreal capabilities, when they were forced down to the savanna. In a related investigation—

if primates are wiped out in some global catastrophe, what other species is most likely to evolve into an intelligence or civilization. My guess is it would have to be a mammal, or maybe a bird (less likely). Only warm-blooded vertebrates have sufficiently complex anatomies and efficient physiologies that could support intelligence, and an evolved social structure would help.

Most predators would be ruled out, they have to constantly optimize their propulsion, weaponry and sensory systems so they would not develop tool making ability. They are also constrained by having to follow their prey. My guess is rats would take over. They are social, intelligent, omnivorous.

Its a wonder primates were the first to evolve intelligence. Especially since they were forced to give up their major advantage, advanced arboreal capabilities, when they were forced down to the savanna.

]]> By: RL https://habitablezone.com/2018/04/22/alt-eti-tech/#comment-41407 RL Mon, 23 Apr 2018 01:43:58 +0000 https://habitablezone.com/?p=70561#comment-41407 The book had science issues but had a race of sentient alien (but descended from Earth spiders) spiders that exploited the chemical signaling of ants and other insects (semi sentient insects) to manipulate their environment. The book had serious believe-ability issues but did an admirable job describing alien minds and society... The book had science issues but had a race of sentient alien (but descended from Earth spiders) spiders that exploited the chemical signaling of ants and other insects (semi sentient insects) to manipulate their environment.

The book had serious believe-ability issues but did an admirable job describing alien minds and society…

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