Daniel Whiteson, a theoretical physicist working at CERN (European Organization for Nuclear Research), in his forthcoming book Do Aliens Speak Physics? And Other Questions about Science and the Nature of Reality, suggests a radical rethinking of our approach to the search for intelligent life in the Universe. Instead of asking “Do aliens exist?”, he asks another question: “Can we even understand each other?”
Most physicists believe that the laws of nature we discover are fundamental and universal to all reality. However, Whiteson rejects this view. He suggests that our physics may not be the objective “language of the Universe,” but merely an interpretation of it, limited by the human brain and senses. Other civilizations may perceive reality so differently that our science would be completely meaningless to them.
Do people make mistakes?
Whiteson’s key argument is that technological development does not necessarily require the scientific method. “We have been using complex technologies such as metallurgy and fermentation for thousands of years without understanding the physical or chemical processes behind them,” the scientist notes. Consequently, an alien civilization could travel among the stars without having analogues to our physics, but rather guided by intuition or other principles of cognition.
Worst-case scenario: cosmic loneliness
What is the most disappointing result of the search? According to Whiteson, it is discovering that no one else in the galaxy does science the way we do. “We would be left alone at the table at a hypothetical ‘Intergalactic Science Conference’. For physicists, this would be a tragedy, but for philosophers, it would be an incredible discovery that would make us understand our uniqueness.”
Whitson believes that the search for other minds is, above all, an attempt by humanity to understand itself. “We are looking for confirmation that our way of thinking has value. But any answer — whether we find them or not — will be amazing. Even if they come and send us to the mines, at least we will learn something new,” jokes the scientist.
The book “Do Aliens Speak Physics?” will go on sale on November 4, 2025. It combines deep philosophical reflections with accessible explanations of complex scientific concepts, offering readers a new perspective on our place in the Universe.
According to gizmodo.com
