Comment Re:Convergent evolution (Score 1) 525
True there are many examples of convergent evolution, but mmany of divergent evolution just on this planet.
Eyes: Spiders generally have eight, insects are multifaceted and some creatures have none at all. Nothing to preclude any of these in intelligent life. I can imagine a cyclops with bat like sonar: range finding without the need for stereo vision. And then there's the frequency of vision, which on Earth ranges generally from UV to infrared, in some cases with different 'eyes' for different wavelengths.
Ears: Many animals hear directly via contact as well as by ears (even we can do it) and some use that combined with subsonics for long range communications. And once again total lack of the sense for layout. But there's the large frequency variation from sonar down to subsonics.
General layout: Some kind of symmetry is generally common, although not always, from purely bilateral to rotational. Relative position and number of limbs, breathing apparatus and eating apparatus varies enormously. It does seem likely, although possibly not essential, that any species capable of communication will have some method of tool manipulation.
Having disagreed with you so far, I do tend to agree that in many ways similarities of thought may be more common than we think, not forgetting just how divergent even human thought is. But one thing our brains can do is simulate and I expect the same of other technological species as they will almost be necessity I think need to be able to have the same ability. As a result I think both sides should to some extent be able to have some insight into the viewpoint of others.
NickA
Eyes: Spiders generally have eight, insects are multifaceted and some creatures have none at all. Nothing to preclude any of these in intelligent life. I can imagine a cyclops with bat like sonar: range finding without the need for stereo vision. And then there's the frequency of vision, which on Earth ranges generally from UV to infrared, in some cases with different 'eyes' for different wavelengths.
Ears: Many animals hear directly via contact as well as by ears (even we can do it) and some use that combined with subsonics for long range communications. And once again total lack of the sense for layout. But there's the large frequency variation from sonar down to subsonics.
General layout: Some kind of symmetry is generally common, although not always, from purely bilateral to rotational. Relative position and number of limbs, breathing apparatus and eating apparatus varies enormously. It does seem likely, although possibly not essential, that any species capable of communication will have some method of tool manipulation.
Having disagreed with you so far, I do tend to agree that in many ways similarities of thought may be more common than we think, not forgetting just how divergent even human thought is. But one thing our brains can do is simulate and I expect the same of other technological species as they will almost be necessity I think need to be able to have the same ability. As a result I think both sides should to some extent be able to have some insight into the viewpoint of others.
NickA
