Alien Apperance?

[Caligulove]

Very strange, the organisms that live on a planet are shaped by that planet. That could make for some really strange species.

We have no idea if the parameters for life are only constrained to a world like Earth. It's our only evidence for conditions for it, though- so anything else would only be proved theoretically at best. That and with all the probabilities for a species to become intelligent enough for space travel, something we've barely skimmed the surface on? Means a lot of evolution from that species- they would look quite alien, though.

A lot of sci-fi authors have had interesting ideas about what first contact would be like, though. My favorite is still Childhood's End- mostly because I geeked out at the idea of reverse-racial memory that made humanity KNOW about the aliens like Karellen (who look like Devils) before we even met them, and because of that, made us afraid of them and equate them with demonics and evil things.

 

[Lono Shrugged]

MORE SNIPAGE

I don't disagree with anything you are saying. But the crazy sci-fi part of my brain hopes for an alien species that can shape itself around it's reality. Evolution of the mind rather than it's enviroment. A creature could take any appearance or be from any world. It's total pop sci-fi I know but I like the idea of psychic space dolphins traveling on a beam of light to spread a message of peace and love throughout the universe.

 

[Chris^^]

why should it be humanoid?

other planets have different conditions that may require a very different physical form

 

[Synek]

I'm guessing the first contact would be some sort of alien made AI that probes planets for life.
The aliens them self would be cyberneticly enchanced to use technology easier.
They would have X amount of fingers and atleast one thumb + a good brain ( or more).
Everything else is very hard to guess since we are to familiar with Earth lifeforms.

Or a race of AI since they would be the only ones able to travel the vast distance of space.
( Unless FTL is possible).
An AI creature would have the best shape for the specific task.
So it would have humanoid apperance during contact.

 

[Peteron]

They could appear human. But, really they can look like just about anything. There are probably Aliens of all sorts, but most likely one that makes it here would be a mammal. Seeing as mammals are the most highly developed groups on our planet, I believe it is safe to assume that an alien who makes it here would be a mammal as well. If not, then maybe those aliens from Fallout 3.

 

[geldonyetich]

I imagine that any alien visitors, much like ourselves, would be a product of evolution that reflects the nature of their planet. Nature tends to seek the path of least resistance that brings about the greatest spoils, and while there may be a bit of randomness to the initial cosmic forces that bring about an initial difference in the primordial ooze, from there on out the evolution is relatively predictable.

Of course, this assumes that the aliens themselves would not have genetic manipulation technology (something that we're not too far from ourselves) in which case there can be signs of more radical change. Deliberate adaptations brought about prematurely as opposed to sitting around and waiting for evolution to handle it. It's not all that different from animal husbandry, really.

As to whether or not aliens would be humanoid, that's a tricky question. From an Earthling's standpoint, it would seem that would be the natural order of things for nearly all land-dwelling species: two arms, to legs, a head. However, it could just be that what we're seeing is derived from an usual common ancestor and, in the grander scheme of an intergalactic community, a far less common result than other designs.

 

[Mr. McFuzzers]

I really hope they look like the Asari from ME 1/2.
Wouldn't it be awesome to have our first contact with a race of sexy blue women?

 

[Deadlock Radium]

I would like them to be some sort of space dragon. Some sort of arachnid type creature would be cool though.

And utterly terrifying.

Spoiler: I think they'll look something like this:

 

[Disaster Button]

My thoughts on how aliens will look is heavily influenced by Hollywood and pop cultures portrayal of them.

Basically something like this:

Spoiler: Alien

I always find it odd how each alien portrayed in media are all practically indistinguishable from one another, as if genetics are deadlocked for their species.

I always thought the point was that to us they were indistinguishable, just like we are probably to them.

 

[smithy1234]

They would look:

Spoiler: like this

 

[polarizebeta]

i would think that if it wasn't for a meteor, we might be lizard looking, so maybe something like those guys in "V". Also, they shouldn't land in Arizona, b/c if they do, then they would be deported to Mexico and prolly wind up on some GGW video. You know, the tequila and all.

 

[Broady Brio]

Let's play SPORE and see some possible combinations!

 

[AlphaOmega]

If they actually have a civilization it means they have lims to use tools with, the rest is unclear.
Probably bipedal but that is not a requirement.

 

[IxionIndustries]

Spoiler: Like this?

Failing that, I want some fucking Zerg in our star system...

Spoiler: Awwww yeah...

Mmmm.. Sarah Kerrigan.. You can practically taste the infestation..

 

[Lemon Of Life]

They'd pretty much all look like Verne Troyer.

 

[RIOgreatescapist]

http://www.camaro5.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=85919&d=1263331988

Alien bitchez came for your [explicit word related to the verb "to come"]

 

[feather240]

If an alien were to arrive on Earth (as opposed to just "what do aliens look like?"), they would arguably have to be vaguely humanoid in appearance, or at least possess similar intelligence and fine motor skills etc in order to concieve of, create and successfully man a craft onto Earth, since the actual arrival of the aliens on Earth was part of the original criteria. Although that's just my opinion, and I'm no science buff.

I agree with you. I can't see non-humanoids having much of an interest in us.

 

[Parallel Streaks]

I always think they're humanoid and scaly/insectoid, but really due to a completely different path of evolution they would look like nothing we could imagine. It all depends on their planets' atmosphere and such.

 

[The Red Spy]

My thoughts on how aliens will look is heavily influenced by Hollywood and pop cultures portrayal of them.

Basically something like this:

Spoiler: Alien

I always find it odd how each alien portrayed in media are all practically indistinguishable from one another, as if genetics are deadlocked for their species.

I always thought the point was that to us they were indistinguishable, just like we are probably to them.

If they were identical because of mechanical or clothing, sure, but having one biological profile doesn't seems more odd to me. If aliens would lack unique appearences because of their own intervention, then I can't see many benefits it's only for cosmetics. If it's natural, then how would that occur?

 

[feather240]

I would like them to be some sort of space dragon. Some sort of arachnid type creature would be cool though.

And utterly terrifying.

Spoiler: I think they'll look something like this:

I've been playing with this interesting idea for a while now. You see us being the "dumber" race out there seeing as we haven't even mastered interplanetary travel could make us almost Krogan like in our place in the Universe. Well other species have been slowly devolving due to no need for physical strength we've just reached that point relatively recently. So maybe we'll be the scary brutes that go around creating wars for no reason.