POLL - Would You Want to Meet an Alien?

[irtheman]

I wanted to say "Yes" but then I realized that if anything went wrong it would be my fault. At worst, I might have to eat the alien. They might look tasty you know and being only human how could I say no? But seriously, who would want to represent the sorry excuse calling itself humanity? I might end up making a case for their world domination or a at least the creation of a new hyperspace bypass.

I then considered saying "Perhaps" but I had a problem with the eating part as you may recall. There is also the whole problem that they probably won't know a word I am saying or, more likely, I won't know a word they are saying. Uggg.. Alien poetry might be horrible. And what happens if they are Spaceballs or something? Well, there goes the planet!

In the end, as with many other things in life, it is best to just say No.

[jim48]

I'd say yes I'd find it an honor but only if I don't get probed or dissected.

Then you won't be joining us next June for Operation Area 51 Freedom?

[ZenDraken]

I wouldn't worry too much about being eaten. I'm sure our biochemistry is completely incompatible with an alien digestive system.

I would worry about being disassembled for scientific purposes. Or implanted with an alien radio tracking tag to study my movements and behavior.

That's what Marlin Perkins always did to animals on Mutual of Omaha's 'Wild Kingdom'.

Obviously, Marlin Perkins was an alien.

[Bill_Wright]

I would want to negotiate terms of the meeting first. Being on a menu is not a high priority item for me.

[jim48]

I would want to negotiate terms of the meeting first. Being on a menu is not a high priority item for me.

Just out of curiosity, brother Bill, how did you vote? And suppose the aliens look like spinach? I loved the premise for the Star Trek movie in which the aliens were far more interested in communicating with hump-backed whales than with us!

[Earthling2009]

I think for a chance to meet an ET would be amazing. History, Music, political, answers on the universe would be the first parts of questions I would be asking. Not to mention asking them for a ride on their space ship.

[charger_ss24]

I voted no simply because we can't even get along amongst ourselves. If we can't managed a simple task like that, how on God's green Earth can we get along with an alien species?

[CommonMan]

I would ask them two questions, is there a heaven? And where the hell is Elvis?

[Bill_Wright]

I would want to negotiate terms of the meeting first. Being on a menu is not a high priority item for me.

Just out of curiosity, brother Bill, how did you vote? And suppose the aliens look like spinach? I loved the premise for the Star Trek movie in which the aliens were far more interested in communicating with hump-backed whales than with us!

I voted in the second group. First, I don't consider myself a representative of humanity. Second, I'd rather eat lunch than be lunch. Third, I have a hard time believing that we will be visited by "aliens" due to the distances and energy requirements. Isaac Asimov did the math with an Apollo sized capsule some number of years ago and if Einstein is even close to being right visits will be pretty rare if ever. Sorry if I disappointed you Jim.

[jim48]

I would want to negotiate terms of the meeting first. Being on a menu is not a high priority item for me.

Just out of curiosity, brother Bill, how did you vote? And suppose the aliens look like spinach? I loved the premise for the Star Trek movie in which the aliens were far more interested in communicating with hump-backed whales than with us!

I voted in the second group. First, I don't consider myself a representative of humanity. Second, I'd rather eat lunch than be lunch. Third, I have a hard time believing that we will be visited by "aliens" due to the distances and energy requirements. Isaac Asimov did the math with an Apollo sized capsule some number of years ago and if Einstein is even close to being right visits will be pretty rare if ever. Sorry if I disappointed you Jim.

If you don't represent humanity who do you represent? Romulans? Asimov disappointed me on UFOs. Where was his disapassionate scientific curiousity? He just slammed the door. Dr. J. Allen Hynek was quick to point out that as there was a 20th century science there shall be a 25th century science and clearly that's what these aliens have. On the eve of Sputnik many scientists were still saying that spaceflight was impossible, let alone manned spaceflight.

[CommonMan]

Jim: If the Aliens are 25 century advanced. The only thing they will probably want from us is our planet. Let’s get real; if any aliens have been , or are visiting us now, we should have real proof, not stories, or out of focus images on the cameras.

[dragon04]

I voted in the Yes, but... column.

While I highly doubt that ET would view me as a menu item, flashing a big, toothy grin perhaps is NOT an expression of happiness on Planet J-36 (better known as Bleeno).

I think it would be advisable to discuss customs and what not prior to an actual meet and greet. I'd hate to think that a faux-pas got us exterminated. Kind of like in Babylon 5 when the Mimbari opened their gun ports as a show of respect for the Earth ship, who immediately assumed it was a hostile gesture and opened fire. War with our betters might be ill advised.

[Bill_Wright]

Just out of curiosity, brother Bill, how did you vote? And suppose the aliens look like spinach? I loved the premise for the Star Trek movie in which the aliens were far more interested in communicating with hump-backed whales than with us!

Bill Replied: "I voted in the second group. First, I don't consider myself a representative of humanity. Second, I'd rather eat lunch than be lunch. Third, I have a hard time believing that we will be visited by "aliens" due to the distances and energy requirements. Isaac Asimov did the math with an Apollo sized capsule some number of years ago and if Einstein is even close to being right visits will be pretty rare if ever. Sorry if I disappointed you, Jim."

Jim Replied: If you don't represent humanity who do you represent? Romulans? Asimov disappointed me on UFOs. Where was his dispassionate scientific curiousity? He just slammed the door. Dr. J. Allen Hynek was quick to point out that as there was a 20th century science there shall be a 25th century science and clearly that's what these aliens have. On the eve of Sputnik many scientists were still saying that spaceflight was impossible, let alone manned spaceflight.

Hi Jim,
I just wouldn't want to represent all of humanity. I'm sure I taste like everybody (chicken?), but I wouldn't want our Earth's citizens to be judged based upon me. I grew to adulthood through an atypical set of circumstances and am now getting old and am handicapped. Any alien might get the wrong impression of humanity by meeting me. I don't think that Asimov had no curiousity, he was just a methodical scientist. Based on the methodology of the day inter-stellar travel would have been an improbability. I have no data that would change those odds. Doesn't mean if my health changed I'd avoid your Area 51 trip, it just means my expectations might be lower. I know that scientists and engineers are always conservative (sound barrier, etc.), and unfortunately I am one of them. I believe that Earth has likely been visited several times over the 4.5BY history, I just think that the odds of it happening within my lifetime are lower than my wife and I winning the lottery. I do commend you for your open mindedness and willingness to put yourself out there for criticism. It is a trait I admire. Good luck with your trip and my best wishes on you beating the odds (meeting an alien, winning the lottery, or both).

[jim48]

Re-the above with our brother Bill Wright. At this point there may or may not actually be a trip to the desert, re- Operation Area 51 Freedom, but we are glad that you are spending time here again at SDC and understand fully that we all get older and have health issues and screw the doctors who told me I was dying sometime back but I digress. If we are in fact successful in mounting Operation Area 51 Freedom, then Bill Wright is going to be our intellectual blood bank. My guess is you would tell us to stay home and you're probably right! If we were smart we would tap your knowledge for something more sensible. May fortune favor the foolish.

[Bill_Wright]

Hi Jim,
I'd tell anybody going to Vegas to take a side-trip to Area 51 for the cultural experience alone. However, don't mess with the guys in the black SUVs. They are authorized to shoot if they deem necessary.

[PapyRoy]

The confirmation that "intelligent" life (how "intelligent" are we if we still kill one another over ideas?) exists outside our current confines may just open new doors for those of us who choose to look through them with truly open minds.

However, as pointed out in an earlier comment, what if these aliens are very much like us and view space exploration from the perspective of possible exploits?

Hopefully, the natural evolution of any species (including ours) is in the direction of enlightenment and by the time they are able to actually explore space it will be done for the sake of knowledge.

[Smersh]

Hi Jim,
I'd tell anybody going to Vegas to take a side-trip to Area 51 for the cultural experience alone. However, don't mess with the guys in the black SUVs. They are authorized to shoot if they deem necessary.

Ah yes, the cammo dudes Bill. A lot of words have been written here by Jim48 and others about them.

As I pointed out in another thread here, Gillilan's Ranch in Washingtion State might be more productive from a UFO spotter's point of view but the only problem for Jim48 is there's not so much around in the way of booze, gambling or hookers there.

I don't know if it's possible to meet an alien at Gillian's Ranch or not (unless you get abducted and probed of course) but I think there's probably even less chance at Area 51 because you'll only get shot by the cammo dudes and eaten for breakfast with eggs and baked beans, before you get near the place.

[Mort469]

No, thank you very much. I do not feel a need to look to a non-terrestrial race for guidance, enlightenment, knowledge, mystical powers, or even a neighborly chat. Furthermore, I would question both the motives and intelligence of any non-terrestrials that might consider humans intelligent enough to interact beneficially.

[Bodelco]

How egotistical. What makes people in the 71% range believe THEY would be good representatives of the human race.
If another communicative civilization were to visit our insignificant ball of active volcanos, horrific storms and engage the most populous life form (insects) there is no one person who could represent us. Get real.
Bodelco

[ayman31]

Perhaps. Don't want to rule anything out! Life is too chaotic to take sides.

Now... as for people who say we cannot cross intersteller distances. Don't rule anything out!!!! The orion program in the 50's/60's has proven to me anyway that it's really only a matter of funding, not physics. If we funded it, we could reach our nearest stellar neighbor within 100 years. We would need to use nuclear because it's a relatively proven technology. Fear of nuclear annihilation and proliferation, and the unlikelihood of funding sources, are what has spurred this notion that it cannot be done.

Could I be wrong? Sure. However, I have this gut feeling that with enough money and incentive we could do it. The money and incentive are not there at this moment in time. We're, roughly speaking, in a cocoon.