Alien Apperance?

[Simalacrum]

Actually, I reckon they won't be so different from us.

Surely if, theoretically, sentient life was born on a planet similar to ours (oxygen based, lots of liquid water, etc etc), then wouldn't they evolve in relatively similar manners to us? I don't see why it isn't plausible.

If its a planet completely different from us, and therefore an utterly alien type of lifeform (plutonium based? I dunno...), then ooooh boy, I don't have the foggiest idea of how that would go down.

 

[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.

 

[rosemystica]

I think that if there really ARE aliens out there, they'd be more on the Half-Life/Lovecraftian side. Not that I believe in Elder Gods and headcrabs--I'm just using that as an example. I don't think they'd look remotely human, due to their evolving in different environments and climates under different circumstances.

 

[Distorted Stu]

Dr Zoidberg.

 

[Kukakkau]

I'd have to go with the masked/suited alien simply because they will have been adapted for life on their planet and thus would have different tolerance to atmospheres and/or breathe a different substance (or not breath at all)

Organisms capable of living on our planet have pretty similar structures - especially internally

 

[zehydra]

Probably a bacteria/virus sort of thing that wipes out the human race in a matter of hours.

 

[Omikron009]

That's like asking us what the most plausible appearance for any given living thing on Earth might be. There are too many possible types to make a decision. So I'm going to have to say they'll be bugs.

 

[Davey Woo]

I'd say one of the best bets is an insectoid appearance. Given that insects (on our planet) can survive harsh environments quite well, the same rules would probably apply on other planets, so as long as there wasn't another dominant species they'd have a chance to grow.

Either that or I reckon they'd be humanoid/ape-like. Given that opposable thumbs are REALLY useful.

 

[Kpt._Rob]

I don't think Aliens would come here themselves, much more likely they would send an unmanned robotic probe. So, we wouldn't really know what they would look like... just what their probe would look like.

 

[Brandon237]

Speaking scientifically, they would either be based on an exoskeleton, and less than half our size, or they would be reptilian, if their planet was warm. I think it is highly unlikely that they would be anywhere near mammalian.

 

[GodsAndFishes]

If they come from an Earth-like planet, then they could be similar to life as we know it. There are some features and traits which are so useful that they will evolve through many different methods e.g.eyes. Its likely that they will also have most of the sensory organs near the brain and to have the best view of possible predators this will likely be pointing out from the rest of the body, basically a head.
But there will be many similarities although they may only resemble us in the same way that a stegosaurus resembles a human.

 

[HK_01]

I think it'd be something we can't even imagine now, because we've never seen anything like it. At least that's what I like to think.

 

[InGrindWeTrust]

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.

 

[quiet_samurai]

I suspect that they would be vaguely humanoid. That's because ALOT of our succes as a species is because of our phenotype. Opposible thumbs, dexterous fingers and limbs, Biocular vision, Walking upright, enlarged brains all contributed to us being the most fit animals on the planet as far as techology and the ability to alter the environment aound us goes. So I think that no matter what planet you are from, beneficial traits as far as evolutionary success would be rather universal across the cosmos(without brining alternate dimensions and universes into the argument). Sure they might be taller, shorter, have more then two arms, and green skin.... but I think their general arrangement of organs and body parts would be pretty close to our own seeing as how they would be a very advanced and fit species.

 

[Aardvark Soup]

They'd probably be so small they'll be stepped on by the first human they meet or get eaten by cat. After that they start using this planet full of evil giants and monsters as a prison colony for their worst criminals, eventually turning Earth into their version of Australia.

 

[Lono Shrugged]

SNIP

Technically any living creature is as successful as us. We are actually physically badly suited to most conditions on this planet. and considering the most likely alien life would be ocean based. who's to say? We may rule in terms of altering our enviroment but is that an admirable trait?

 

[xXAsherahXx]

If we were visited by intelligent aliens, they would have to have a large head and brain cavity, fingers probably so they could make tools, and the rest is a mystery to me.

 

[quiet_samurai]

SNIP

Technically any living creature is as successful as us. We are actually physically badly suited to most conditions on this planet. and considering the most likely alien life would be ocean based. who's to say? We may rule in terms of altering our enviroment but is that an admirable trait?

Okay yes, you are technically right. But living animals are specialized to the region they live in. A polar bear couldn't survive in Mexico and an elephant couldn't survive in Ireland. We as human's can survive anywhere with technology, without it we would be stuck in the tropical areas of the world because we couldn't survive anywhere else. And by technology I mean something as simple as leather clothing and the ability to make fire. Without something as simple as that, no human would fare in somewhere that reached a certain tempature.

And yes I think it has the potential to be admirable. If say for instance we go through another ice age, we as humans have the technology and knowledge to survive it better then any other animal that would be subjected to it. And what do you think space travel is but the ability to alter the environment around you to survive?

 

[Banana Phone Man]

I think that aliens should look like this.

Spoiler: Large image.

However I don't really believe that aliens even exist.

 

[hermes]

Have you seen how varied life is on Earth? Animals range from insects to fishes, birds, reptiles, etc... There is no way to know, if aliens exists, how they would be. All we can do is guess that they would be similar to us, if they come from a similar environment, and based on our own evolution, but that is a very narrow perspective.