If there are aliens, what will they look like?

[BravoXray]

Since the UFO thread got closed, I'm interested in what others think intelligent aliens might look like.

Personally, I'm inclined to to think that if they evolved on a planet similar to Earth, they would look somewhat like us, bi-laterally symmetrical, Heads with two eyes for binocular vision, one or more limbs with hands and fingers to be able to manipulate objects, and two or maybe four legs. While there may be intelligent races that have evolved in seas on other planets that look like fish, whales or big jellyfish, they aren't going to be able to develop or build interplanetary space ships or propulsion systems.
Evolution on this planet over a few hundred millions years has seemed to have settled on this body format for a great number of species, so it must have inherent advantages for survival.
While there are species like whales, Orcas and Dolphins that may be intelligent and live in social groups, their bodies have not allowed them to develop any technology that they can manipulate. Other species like ants live in large social groups and can cooperate to use objects and materials as tools and raw materials, but aren't individually intelligent.

What are your thoughts on this?
And PLEASE, keep your religious views on this subject out of the conversation.

 

[Cougsfan]

They would look like Leonard Nimoy, of course.

 

[ruffdog]

What do they look like? Maybe we are not advanced enough to even see them.

 

[Dftodd]

They would look like Leonard Nimoy, of course.

My mother in law

 

[ruffdog]

Sometimes two spouses may feel like they are from different planets too.

 

[2LaneCruzer]

Great post; I could go on for hours, but you have made a very important point. The human body is like it is for a reason; and the human brain, plus the shape an physiology of our body and our evolution is very important. Coupled with the magnificent design of our hands, their dexterity, strength and capability, we are able to manipulate our environment to the nth degree; something no other species is capable of.

Any alien capable of space travel, would have to have similar capabilities, which says to me that their bodies and brains would have a lot of similarities to our own.

 

[jyoutz]

ET

 

[beowulf]

Interesting question. Unless the planet they exist on is in the same kind of a goldilocks zone as we are in, with similar moon, gravity, tides, elements, and such, the chance that they would resemble us is not great - just an opinion. Evolution could mean four legs would be better suited to their situation, or suction cups instead of fingers, or flying, or many other options. They would likely require organs to deal with the same needs (see, hear, feel. . . ). but might do it differently - seeing with a different kind of sense organ, ingesting food through differently, maybe like a landed octopus. After all, couldn't we all use extra hands.

 

[sree251]

Sometimes two spouses may feel like they are from different planets too.

Archie and Edith Bunker? It's usually the wife who is on a different planet.

 

[/pine]

IMO...with what seems a majority of planets orbiting in more extreme conditions etc...it only makes sense that some life forms may be as extreme...including intelligent life forms...
...looking only at planets etc. that are similar to Earth for similar life forms is like like the proverbial hammer seeking out only nails...

...It's not that far off the wall to imagine (intelligent) life forms that exist in harsh and extreme conditions...for example...imagine a humanoid like figure that survives in very hot temps and what we would consider caustic atmospheres...could even have something like ammonia based blood etc...to deal with the temps...