POLL - Would You Want to Meet an Alien?

[doublehelix]

In the new film The Fourth Kind unsuspecting humans try to understand why aliens would want to abduct the people of Earth. But are aliens really so single-minded?

The Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI) Institute has been listening for signs of alien intelligence in the skies for years. No one has turned up yet, but the scientists are still looking. They obviously would relish the chance to meet an alien.

But what about the general public? Would you want to meet one? Cast your vote and display your readiness – or not – to make first contact with people from the stars.

What Finding Alien Life Could Mean for Earth

Video - "The Fourth Kind" Film Trailer

Previous polls on this topic:
Is Earth Ready to Meet an Alien Civilization

The Fourth Kind, Alien Encounters=

The Fourth Kind, Alien Abductions

[Sonjiin]

I voted for "Perhaps, but… - It would be interesting to meet a non-human intelligent lifeform, but I need some assurance it won’t eat me first."

But change the won't eat me first to won't anal probe me. Then you got your self a deal.

[jim48]

Umm, take a closer look at me.

[Keatah]

This is like asking a kid in a candy store if they want candy..

[CuriousEnough]

Absolutely YES!
But imagine the conversation we would have... It would be as if I would start talking to an ant. Ignoramous as we are. Then I fantasize how refreshingly great such an encounter would be - the feed of knowledge, answers to so many questions. I would like to know all about their social and cultural behaviors, their technology and what fuel they use, how they solved conflict and their worldly problems in their history. If they contol their nature... so many questions. YES Sign ME UP! And if he eats me? Then I hope he gets sick like a dog

[Nuruhuine]

Hell yes! Just like CE I'd have an enormous number of questions about his people, their world, their society and their lives. How long do they live in Earth years? What is their home starsystem like? Is it similar to ours, or is it completely backwards by our perspective? How did they overcome this, that and the other issues we face today? How common is truely intelligent life in our Galaxy? And lastly, my biggest question would be about renting a ship and getting the hell out've here to see it all for myself!

[General_Kenobi]

The answer has to be yes. To a much greater degree, saying "No" to meeting an ET would be like turning down an invitation to play in a foursome with Tiger & Jack at Augusta. You probably will not have that opportunity again. You'd have to do it. It's a no brainer, to me at least. Sure, I would be a little scared of being its next meal (and that probe thing, too), but I'd still do it without hesitation.
Good day, all.

[Geoduck2]

But imagine the honor of being the first Human to be eaten by an alien.

[Smersh]

I voted "perhaps" in case it eats me or something. It's not that I wouldn't want to meet an alien, it's just that I would need to know what the deal is first. (In my youth, I would likely have voted "yes" without hesitation, but I'm becoming more conservative as I get older. Boring, isn't it ... )

[jim48]

I voted "perhaps" in case it eats me or something. It's not that I wouldn't want to meet an alien, it's just that I would need to know what the deal is first. (In my youth, I would likely have voted "yes" without hesitation, but I'm becoming more conservative as I get older. Boring, isn't it ... )

You surprise me.

[rshoff]

Are you crazy? Hopefully, anyone that self selected themselves as a representative of humans is removed from the candidate pool! I don't think self appointed representatives can effectively or accurately represent the dynamic of humans and humanity other than themselves and their own personal reflections. They would be like kids in a china shop.

If humans survive over the next several millennia —no guarantee there— this may become a real scenario. And our would-be representatives won't be having fun. They'll be too busy stressing out and working.

Me? I would want to sit back and observe it all on whatever version of the news media available at that time. Selfishly learn from it and express myself through our representative processes. No reason to rush into personal meetings and starting a war.

[MeteorWayne]

Now that's funny! Considering the complete scientific ignorance of the news media, I wouldn't (with good reason) trust them to tell me anything. They are wrong 90% of the time, and half the time of the remaining 10% where they are right, it's pure dumb luck.

There are less than a handful or mainstream reporters who know the first thing about science. The current state of the media is "hype to create ratings".

[rshoff]

At least it's an accurate representation of humanity! Do we want to demonstrate what we wish we were or what we really are to the aliens? Starting off with a cynical relationship. I know which answer you picked in the poll!

[MeteorWayne]

What's an accurate representation of humanity? That they are wrong (and scientifically ignorant) 90% of the time? I can't argue with that.

I can't agree that it's a good thing, though. But the media gets paid to be better than that.

[orienteer]

In 1620 we meet the aliens at Plymouth Rock where they landed. We learned their language and taught them how to survive in our climate. Within 150 years they managed to over run the neighborhood and massacre many of our people. The ones that survived were herded onto reservations and taught to act like them, for surely they were superior to us, since they had mastered the arts of killing and travel. Now we have dispersed into the population while pretending to be the same, but we have no political power and little economic power. Now you say that new aliens are coming to meet us? I can't wait

The truth is, we are much more likley to converse with aliens than we are to meet them. Perhaps the actual meeting will be like today's singles that meet on line. That way we can meet for dinner, not be dinner.

[MeteorWayne]

Hard to argue with that perpsective...

[jim48]

How did you vote, MeteorWayne?

[daztek]

I would require a fully self-contained interstellar winnebago in return for granting an interview to the aliens.

just so they know . . .

[MeteorWayne]

How did you vote, MeteorWayne?

YES!!!

As I've said many times before, as a meteor observer, I spend more time out alone under the sky than 99.99999% of the earth's population, so it is something I have considered.

Invite me aboard, I'm goin'...just leave my tape recorder behind with the observations

[rshoff]

Touche meteorwayne! I would vote for you to be our rep, regardless of what I said earlier.