“What could be more fascinating than discovering life that had evolved entirely independently of life here on Earth? Many people would also find it heartening to learn that we are not entirely alone in this vast cold cosmos. But I hope that our Mars probes will discover nothing. It would be good news if we find Mars to be completely sterile. Dead rocks and lifeless sands would lift my spirit.”

—  Nick Bostrom

Where Are They? Why I Hope the Search for Extraterrestrial Life Finds Nothing https://nickbostrom.com/extraterrestrial.pdf (2008)

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Nick Bostrom24
Swedish philosopher 1973

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