I've thought of this. maybe we are screen shadowing others when we dream.

We could never truly know the answer to this as the possibilities are limitless. Until the time comes for us to ask them directly speculation is all we can do. That big What If? that is always asked only leads to more questions and less answers.

Yes because space is extremely large and there are trillions of stars which each can have planets. It's almost certain there is intelligent life elsewhere.

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There are two ways to really think about it imho. Based on observation? It's nigh impossible. We've never observed anything outside of our own planet even approaching the conditions on earth. Based on mathematics? Absolutely. The fact that we exist mean any planet has a nonzero chance of supporting intelligent life. Given the infinite scale and time of the universe it's inevitable that infinite and infinitely diverse sentient life will exist.

The outcome probably depends on who discovers who. If we find them or they find us first. Our history shows we'll likely subjugate them while knowing what their history is would be an unknown but I suppose it would be nice to think their intent would be to bring a positive outcome.

So, I'm not an expert or anything but it's a fun thought exercise so he are my thoughts.

I feel confident there's other life out there, but I don't anyone is close enough for it to matter. The requirements for life (as we know them) are very particular. That said, there's more out there than we can wrap our head around, so somewhere out there it's likely the process has also occurred. Another limiting factor is time, though. It's likely that life cycles have occurred and died long before life on Earth existed, or haven't yet taken place.

As for, "are they like us," like someone else commented, we can only speculate. Assuming a planet produces similar types of animals i.e. primate, avian, crustacean etc, there's no telling which one in particular will develop intelligence, if any at all. Depending on what their home planet is like, they may evolve completely different way of perceiving existence. Imagine a species of felines at or around our level of intelligence. Instead of worshipping religion they may be self-focused on how they themselves are a god all their own. Maybe a race of intelligent spiders doesn't even conceptualize an higher power of any kind. A society of ants that communicates solely through vomiting into each others' mouths. I imagine different perspectives would create a different perception of life and the universe, vastly different forms of communication to the point that even if we made contact we may never be able to understand each other on any level.

Love that shit.