If we had the technology and power, would we conquer other planets with intelligent life?

It's interesting this idea that we would fight aliens with some type of intelligence. If we would view an alien species as intelligent lifeforms then that says a lot about those aliens. They must be very human-like or we wouldn't understand them to begin with and we would never consider them intelligent.

And in that case, I find it much more likely that we would have a lot of safe sex with intelligent aliens than fights. If you see the amount of love for alien species in Hollywood movies and games, I find it unlikely that we would approach them in a hostile manner. Careful yes, but not hostile.

Think Neil deGrasse Tyson said if humans ever become technologically advanced enough for intergalactic travel we would drop traits like the desire to control and concur. Like we see nations doing today. Sounds optimistic but something tells me even a bloodlust species can find a way to travel light years.

I don't know about that. Home is home, but the ability to claim pretty much anywhere as home makes that less important, I guess?

So yeah, it might be easier to avoid conflict over things like resources because you can just go out and claim a new planet that has what you need, but at the same time if someone is sitting on a claim and isn't protecting it because they just assume you're going to be all peaceful, what's to stop you from taking it from them?

Like you said, it might be a bit optimistic. But I admire that outlook all the same and I share it.

We would open market and trade.

There is some possibility that we would civilized them if they are not.

I'm betting on us dying out before we even come close to interstellar travel.

I disagree. If we ever become technologically advanced enough for intergalactic travel, that just opens up new resources that we can use for our own survival.

Self-preservation trumps all. And we know that the REAL long-term survival of our species requires expanding beyond our own solar system. If we ever find a planet that will allow us to expand beyond our solar system, and if we're ever technologically capable of getting there, then we're going there. Now, granted, I like to think that we would PREFER not disrupting the locals if we don't have to. But if the only suitable planets happen to also be home to intelligent life that doesn't want us there, then I have a hard time believing that we'd settle for "no" as an answer. We need the planet. We might PREFER striking some kind of deal that's beneficial to all parties, but that's a best case scenario. If we need the planet and the only way to get it is to take it by force, then we're taking it by force if it's within our means. Self-preservation is a VERY strong motivator.

@MrGeezer: it's true humans wouldn't take no for an answer especially if our survival at stake. That would also mean aliens would see us the same way. Based on our human emotions which would lead us to concur a planet, I would say aliens have to be trying to concur earth. If I were to concur a planet I would do it through manipulation not an open war. Manipulation as in tricking the planet into believing us the human invaders don't even exist and slowly take their land. Just saying if we can even conceive the thought as humans than aliens must be doing the same.

http://www.openminds.tv/lockheed-skunk-works-director-says-esp-is-the-key-to-interstellar-travel-video-1092/23042

It would be exactly like District 9. Seriously there'd be an Avatar style villain heading the operation. That's what makes those movies so funny. They're exaggerated and yet somehow paint an accurate picture of our collective mentality.

I concur