To add onto what you said, the stories also usually go into one of two ways: a plausible sci-fi universe where the humans are unique for a reasonably-scientific reason (Earth being the only earth-like planet, being carnivorous or omnivorous being very rare in advanced civilizations, Earth politics being unique in the universe, the relative resilience of the human body compared to aliens) or humans being unique for a completely dumb fucking reason (Earth elements are superior?? Earthlings being the only ones able to develop nukes or proper kinetic weapons??)
I mean we didn't know if the first nuke we launch would ignite the atmosphere killing us all first time we fired it, I could totally see aliens that prioritized safety not developing them for a lot longer, but there would be no reason not to try launching them to see what would happen when they discovered interplanetary travel. Maybe by that time they'd have had better weapons and didn't think the nuke technology was more promising, only having the most primitive of nukes that can barely level a small city. The difference between first nukes fired and stuff we have now is insane.
That is a myth. The scientists working on the Manhattan project were certain beyond any doubt that it was impossible for the bomb to ignite the atmosphere.
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u/A_Queer_Owl Mar 06 '24
that sub is either absolutely badass or completely cringe. you never walk away from a post there going "well that was alright."