Planet Earth is teeming with life as it houses countless species of plants and animals. Some say there are millions of species, some say billions. Let’s just agree that it’s a lot and move on.
All these species have gone through and are going through the evolutionary process where they become better versions of themselves to be able to survive better. In a way, the biosphere is like a large video game and nature is the player!
We humans went through the same process and evolved from apes over hundreds of thousands of years to become the only intelligent beings on the planet and to climb to the top of the food chain.
Our intelligence has equipped us with the ability to influence all other species of the world and we have sort of become the masters of the biosphere (though nature can still do away with us with little effort). But what if there was a second intelligent species who evolved along with us throughout the history? What would such a world look like? Let’s consider the possible scenarios.
A Fight To The Death
If there’s one thing our history has showed us, it is that we fight a lot. Countless battles and wars have been fought for a number of reasons but it all comes down to this: there are limited resources on the planet.
Therefore, it is not surprising to think that if there were two intelligent species on the planet, evolving side by side, they would be in constant conflict for ages.
As each species would get more advanced, it would need more resources to get even more advanced and since there is only so much to go around, it is highly likely that one of the two species would get killed off.
So, in such a scenario, ultimately there wouldn’t be two intelligent species on Earth after all!
A Collaborative Existence
Although such a scenario is highly unlikely and too complicated in my opinion, there is no doubt that it would be the best option for each species’ survival and development.
Just like we humans belonging to different religions, cultures and countries are collaborating today, the two intelligent species could do the same and work side by side utilising the collective intelligence to achieve wonders.
If you’re having trouble imagining it, try picturing a Star Wars type scenario where different intelligent species collaborate for the betterment of all, but on a single planet.
And with time, they could get so advanced that they could colonise other planets and peacefully separate and settle into different planets, if they so wished but still working together peacefully.
A Great Divide
There is a third scenario that is possible such that they neither kill each other off nor collaborate. Such a scenario would be possible when each species is sure of the fact that none can overpower the other and collaboration is out of the question, just like some countries are behaving today.
In such a case, they would simply divide the Earth into two halves, either east, west or north, south. Each would have to be content to their own hemispheres and there would probably be a giant fence(?) literally dividing the Earth into two.
For global issues, like for example a threat to the entire planet, the two species would have to work together but for all other purposes, they would be isolated, like a divorced couple who only talk in matters regarding their child.
This is all very cool to think about and all but something we might actually face in the coming decades. No there is no other intelligent species plotting against us right now. Yet. But soon, when AI becomes as intelligent as humans, we will be facing a similar situation. Be prepared, fellow humans!