Scientists Claim Aliens May Be Watching Humankind In A 'Galactic Zoo'

We may not yet have found evidence of alien life, but that doesn’t mean it hasn't found us.

This is according to a group of scientists who gathered this week in Paris to discuss why, despite decades of searching and the high probability that life exists beyond our own atmosphere, we’ve yet to make contact.

One possibility, albeit unflattering, could be that intelligent aliens are intentionally shielding us from the truth because humans would struggle to cope with the reality of their existence, some say.

Researchers at the METI International meeting proposed that aliens could be keeping us in somewhat of a ‘galactic zoo,’ simply watching us without revealing themselves so as to avoid spurring cultural upset on Earth.

The day-long workshop organized by METI International (Messaging Extraterrestrial Intelligence) is held every other year in Paris, according to Forbes.

Scientists from all disciplines gathered at the Cité des Sciences et de l’Industriem science museum to explore a question that dates back to 1950, now known as the Fermi Paradox: ‘Where is everybody?’

While it’s an unnerving thought, some suggest extraterrestrial observers have been there all along without us realizing it.

‘It seems likely that extraterrestrials are imposing a “galactic quarantine” because they realize it would be culturally disruptive for us to learn about them,’ said co-chair Jean-Pierre Rospars, the honorary research director at the Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, according to Forbes.

‘Cognitive evolution on Earth shows random features while also following predictable paths. 

'We can expect the repeated, independent emergence of intelligent species in the universe, and we should expect to see more or less similar forms of intelligence everywhere, under favourable conditions.

‘There’s no reason to think that humans have reached the highest cognitive level possible. Higher levels might evolve on Earth in the future and already be reached elsewhere.’

To break the silence, then, the researchers say we may need to be more direct in our approach.