Comments on: Making the Best First Impression, with Aliens http://www.universetoday.com/2008/03/14/making-the-best-first-impression-with-aliens/ Space and astronomy news Sun, 8 Nov 2009 08:15:54 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: Nom nom nom http://www.universetoday.com/2008/03/14/making-the-best-first-impression-with-aliens/comment-page-3/#comment-40481 Nom nom nom Fri, 14 Nov 2008 20:51:18 +0000 http://www.universetoday.com/2008/03/14/making-the-best-first-impression-with-aliens/#comment-40481 We should teach them about Gooood! We MUST teach them about the greatness of Goooood! Then we have to baptise them for Jeeeesuuus! Amen! We should teach them about Gooood!
We MUST teach them about the greatness of Goooood!
Then we have to baptise them for Jeeeesuuus!

Amen!

]]> By: C.R. Copeland http://www.universetoday.com/2008/03/14/making-the-best-first-impression-with-aliens/comment-page-3/#comment-33123 C.R. Copeland Wed, 17 Sep 2008 21:56:52 +0000 http://www.universetoday.com/2008/03/14/making-the-best-first-impression-with-aliens/#comment-33123 Or, they've already heard our radio and television transmission--which is why they haven't said anything back to us. Or, they've already heard our radio and television transmission–which is why they haven't said anything back to us.

]]> By: Wizard http://www.universetoday.com/2008/03/14/making-the-best-first-impression-with-aliens/comment-page-3/#comment-31688 Wizard Thu, 04 Sep 2008 09:50:48 +0000 http://www.universetoday.com/2008/03/14/making-the-best-first-impression-with-aliens/#comment-31688 This entire thread is exasperating, and a perfect example of why we don't deserve to communicate with any "superior" civilizations. The communication skills of many of the people posting here are severely lacking. Grammar, spelling and proper punctuation are an important part of communication. I even noticed several words that don't really exist in any language. We can't even communicate amongst ourselves, why would any "superior" being even bother attempting to decipher our gibberish? What should we say to aliens should we ever make contact with them? I have two suggestions: the first is to send them this thread and if they're capable of deciphering and translating what it says then they'll know we're not worth their time. The second suggestion I have is one short statement... "DO NOT LISTEN TO US." One can only hope that Douglas Vakoch reads over whatever message he decides to send before he does so. This entire thread is exasperating, and a perfect example of why we don't deserve to communicate with any "superior" civilizations. The communication skills of many of the people posting here are severely lacking. Grammar, spelling and proper punctuation are an important part of communication. I even noticed several words that don't really exist in any language. We can't even communicate amongst ourselves, why would any "superior" being even bother attempting to decipher our gibberish?
What should we say to aliens should we ever make contact with them? I have two suggestions: the first is to send them this thread and if they're capable of deciphering and translating what it says then they'll know we're not worth their time. The second suggestion I have is one short statement… "DO NOT LISTEN TO US."
One can only hope that Douglas Vakoch reads over whatever message he decides to send before he does so.

]]> By: Joe M. http://www.universetoday.com/2008/03/14/making-the-best-first-impression-with-aliens/comment-page-3/#comment-30733 Joe M. Tue, 26 Aug 2008 11:42:26 +0000 http://www.universetoday.com/2008/03/14/making-the-best-first-impression-with-aliens/#comment-30733 Nicholas, You do point out a good idea. There is one thing wrong with it though. What if the aliens also follow a religion that is against evolution? Then we are really screwed, because if we are not the only life forms out there, what's to say the aliens aren't Christian or Buddhist or even just plain out Atheists? This is the problem with sending out a message to aliens, we just don't know. There is too big, too wide, of a variety of stuff to tell the aliens. We don;t know how they will react, if they even do, and what if, they get our message, can't understand what we are saying because they don't speak any language on Earth and can't translate it, and think that we are sending threats? Nicholas,

You do point out a good idea. There is one thing wrong with it though. What if the aliens also follow a religion that is against evolution? Then we are really screwed, because if we are not the only life forms out there, what's to say the aliens aren't Christian or Buddhist or even just plain out Atheists?

This is the problem with sending out a message to aliens, we just don't know. There is too big, too wide, of a variety of stuff to tell the aliens. We don;t know how they will react, if they even do, and what if, they get our message, can't understand what we are saying because they don't speak any language on Earth and can't translate it, and think that we are sending threats?

]]> By: Joe M. http://www.universetoday.com/2008/03/14/making-the-best-first-impression-with-aliens/comment-page-3/#comment-30729 Joe M. Tue, 26 Aug 2008 11:34:10 +0000 http://www.universetoday.com/2008/03/14/making-the-best-first-impression-with-aliens/#comment-30729 I honestly don't know what I would send out as a message, though I agree with Mark O'Kelly. We should be sending every little piece of info about us to them so that they can know whether or not we are useful or even useless to them. To quote the article "The aliens might be touched at our honestly, recalling their own struggle to get to a stable, peaceful society. Or they might just send in the berserkers to wipe the violent apes off the planet." If the aliens want to destroy "the violent apes" with their "berserkers", wouldn't that make them just as, if not more, violent than us, and that they should destroy themselves as well? But what ever is being sent as a message, these people better get it right, because if we all end up dead from an alien attack, or even just enslaved by aliens, we have these people to blame. I honestly don't know what I would send out as a message, though I agree with Mark O'Kelly. We should be sending every little piece of info about us to them so that they can know whether or not we are useful or even useless to them.

To quote the article "The aliens might be touched at our honestly, recalling their own struggle to get to a stable, peaceful society. Or they might just send in the berserkers to wipe the violent apes off the planet." If the aliens want to destroy "the violent apes" with their "berserkers", wouldn't that make them just as, if not more, violent than us, and that they should destroy themselves as well?

But what ever is being sent as a message, these people better get it right, because if we all end up dead from an alien attack, or even just enslaved by aliens, we have these people to blame.

]]> By: Nicholas http://www.universetoday.com/2008/03/14/making-the-best-first-impression-with-aliens/comment-page-3/#comment-28584 Nicholas Mon, 04 Aug 2008 20:51:30 +0000 http://www.universetoday.com/2008/03/14/making-the-best-first-impression-with-aliens/#comment-28584 I think that the evolutionary map of man, should be beemed out. The diagram which shoes us from low hominids to the homo sapiens we are today. Also we may not want to use too much color. For we dont know how they may react to that, some human culture signify warfare by certain colors. This may have happened elsewhere as well. Im only 19, but im just saying..... I think that the evolutionary map of man, should be beemed out. The diagram which shoes us from low hominids to the homo sapiens we are today. Also we may not want to use too much color. For we dont know how they may react to that, some human culture signify warfare by certain colors. This may have happened elsewhere as well. Im only 19, but im just saying…..

]]> By: trebors http://www.universetoday.com/2008/03/14/making-the-best-first-impression-with-aliens/comment-page-3/#comment-19588 trebors Mon, 05 May 2008 07:44:35 +0000 http://www.universetoday.com/2008/03/14/making-the-best-first-impression-with-aliens/#comment-19588 "all your base are belong to us!" "all your base are belong to us!"

]]> By: LeRoy S. Cross http://www.universetoday.com/2008/03/14/making-the-best-first-impression-with-aliens/comment-page-3/#comment-16842 LeRoy S. Cross Sun, 30 Mar 2008 12:36:36 +0000 http://www.universetoday.com/2008/03/14/making-the-best-first-impression-with-aliens/#comment-16842 Let them listen to Modest Mouse: that'll explain the torments of our history of stubborn traditions (from the common man's perspective) and irrational paradigms and maybe if they are more advanced and found better ways of life they will help us to get past our past. Maybe they will help guide us away from a government and religion controlled planet, show us that existing is more than working for a dollar (the fakest thing ever created) just to survive. "Its hard to remember we're alive for the first time, it's hard to remember we're alive for the last time"-Modest Mouse. Let them listen to Modest Mouse: that'll explain the torments of our history of stubborn traditions (from the common man's perspective) and irrational paradigms and maybe if they are more advanced and found better ways of life they will help us to get past our past. Maybe they will help guide us away from a government and religion controlled planet, show us that existing is more than working for a dollar (the fakest thing ever created) just to survive. "Its hard to remember we're alive for the first time, it's hard to remember we're alive for the last time"-Modest Mouse.

]]> By: Alien 001 http://www.universetoday.com/2008/03/14/making-the-best-first-impression-with-aliens/comment-page-3/#comment-15908 Alien 001 Wed, 19 Mar 2008 17:15:12 +0000 http://www.universetoday.com/2008/03/14/making-the-best-first-impression-with-aliens/#comment-15908 Well Al, we read this thread. Apologizing is a first step. but hey, dont sink in depression. All of us had a long and winding road to go. I hope you guys make it before you kill yourself or your planet's ecosphere. good luck Well Al, we read this thread.
Apologizing is a first step.

but hey, dont sink in depression.
All of us had a long and winding road to go.
I hope you guys make it before you kill yourself or your planet's ecosphere.

good luck

]]> By: INFINITY http://www.universetoday.com/2008/03/14/making-the-best-first-impression-with-aliens/comment-page-3/#comment-15863 INFINITY Wed, 19 Mar 2008 04:34:27 +0000 http://www.universetoday.com/2008/03/14/making-the-best-first-impression-with-aliens/#comment-15863 SEND CLASSICAL MUSIC, AS A GESTURE THAT THE APES THEY INJECTED SOME OF THEIR DNA HAVE MADE SOME PROGRESS SINCE THE LAST VISIT. SEND CLASSICAL MUSIC, AS A GESTURE THAT THE APES THEY INJECTED SOME OF THEIR DNA HAVE MADE SOME PROGRESS SINCE THE LAST VISIT.

]]> By: madchemist http://www.universetoday.com/2008/03/14/making-the-best-first-impression-with-aliens/comment-page-3/#comment-15846 madchemist Tue, 18 Mar 2008 18:15:18 +0000 http://www.universetoday.com/2008/03/14/making-the-best-first-impression-with-aliens/#comment-15846 Son't worry Al our TV signals are too weak to be detected and they are not orientated anywere, so they won't be missing any of our reality shows if we were to go radio silent! Son't worry Al our TV signals are too weak to be detected and they are not orientated anywere, so they won't be missing any of our reality shows if we were to go radio silent!

]]> By: Al http://www.universetoday.com/2008/03/14/making-the-best-first-impression-with-aliens/comment-page-3/#comment-15828 Al Tue, 18 Mar 2008 11:54:04 +0000 http://www.universetoday.com/2008/03/14/making-the-best-first-impression-with-aliens/#comment-15828 I'm sorry. I'm sorry for all the rubbish I've broadcase over the decades; I'm sorry for all the wars we've fought; the pollution on our planet, and now orbiting our planet; I'm sorry for all the hostile alien stories I've created. The list goes on and on about what we should be sorry for. Let's see if they're forgiving of our stupidity, hostility and prejudices and want to communicate with us. Maybe they're already aware of our signals but chose not to waste their time with inferiors. I'm sorry. I'm sorry for all the rubbish I've broadcase over the decades; I'm sorry for all the wars we've fought; the pollution on our planet, and now orbiting our planet; I'm sorry for all the hostile alien stories I've created. The list goes on and on about what we should be sorry for. Let's see if they're forgiving of our stupidity, hostility and prejudices and want to communicate with us. Maybe they're already aware of our signals but chose not to waste their time with inferiors.

]]> By: Chuck Lam http://www.universetoday.com/2008/03/14/making-the-best-first-impression-with-aliens/comment-page-3/#comment-15812 Chuck Lam Tue, 18 Mar 2008 03:11:15 +0000 http://www.universetoday.com/2008/03/14/making-the-best-first-impression-with-aliens/#comment-15812 As I have espressed before, I believe the universe is "bubbling with life". Some will be more advanced than the human species with most not as advanced. I have this bad feeling that SETI is wasting their time trying to make alien contact because they lack the sophisticated equipment that will detect a modulated radio signal that is on the order of a fraction of a femto-watt. Detecting so little RF energy isn't the only problem. Suppressing or filtering out all the googols of natural electronic interference is probably a larger problem then detecting an almost non-existent signal. The challenge is as daunting as locating a particular grain of sand in the Sahara desert on a windy day. I suspect contact will probably never be made with another intelligent life form regardless of radio power. The slow speed of light and the mind-bending light years of communication distances involved is the problem. If, and it's a big if, alien contact is ever established, I doubt it will be in our life time. As I have espressed before, I believe the universe is "bubbling with life". Some will be more advanced than the human species with most not as advanced. I have this bad feeling that SETI is wasting their time trying to make alien contact because they lack the sophisticated equipment that will detect a modulated radio signal that is on the order of a fraction of a femto-watt. Detecting so little RF energy isn't the only problem. Suppressing or filtering out all the googols of natural electronic interference is probably a larger problem then detecting an almost non-existent signal. The challenge is as daunting as locating a particular grain of sand in the Sahara desert on a windy day. I suspect contact will probably never be made with another intelligent life form regardless of radio power. The slow speed of light and the mind-bending light years of communication distances involved is the problem. If, and it's a big if, alien contact is ever established, I doubt it will be in our life time.

]]> By: alphonso richardson http://www.universetoday.com/2008/03/14/making-the-best-first-impression-with-aliens/comment-page-3/#comment-15775 alphonso richardson Mon, 17 Mar 2008 15:41:24 +0000 http://www.universetoday.com/2008/03/14/making-the-best-first-impression-with-aliens/#comment-15775 Some one's been PAID to think what ET will make of us?? Send 'em Simon Cowell Then again, there's no guarantee he'd be able to make FTL travel (if it were possible) & as Chuck Lam rightly says, the human species is not designed for deep space/multi generation travel. Hmmm. Sending Mr Cowell a ticket get more & more appealing.............................. Some one's been PAID to think what ET will make of us??
Send 'em Simon Cowell
Then again, there's no guarantee he'd be able to make FTL travel (if it were possible) & as Chuck Lam rightly says, the human species is not designed for deep space/multi generation travel.

Hmmm. Sending Mr Cowell a ticket get more & more appealing…………………………

]]> By: Chuck Lam http://www.universetoday.com/2008/03/14/making-the-best-first-impression-with-aliens/comment-page-3/#comment-15766 Chuck Lam Mon, 17 Mar 2008 13:40:21 +0000 http://www.universetoday.com/2008/03/14/making-the-best-first-impression-with-aliens/#comment-15766 Hey Turk! Your premise is sci-fi. As a practical matter, it is highly doubtful that man will ever leave the solar system.. Mankind is stuck right where we are. Human life is way too short and too fragile to do any real multi-generation scientific space travel. But we, as a self-aware species, must keep dreaming. It's in our nature regardless if the dream makes sense or not. Hey Turk! Your premise is sci-fi. As a practical matter, it is highly doubtful that man will ever leave the solar system.. Mankind is stuck right where we are. Human life is way too short and too fragile to do any real multi-generation scientific space travel. But we, as a self-aware species, must keep dreaming. It's in our nature regardless if the dream makes sense or not.

]]> By: Kbutler http://www.universetoday.com/2008/03/14/making-the-best-first-impression-with-aliens/comment-page-2/#comment-15761 Kbutler Mon, 17 Mar 2008 12:36:49 +0000 http://www.universetoday.com/2008/03/14/making-the-best-first-impression-with-aliens/#comment-15761 Good 1st impression? Too late, the primaries are almost over. Good 1st impression? Too late, the primaries are almost over.

]]> By: Turk http://www.universetoday.com/2008/03/14/making-the-best-first-impression-with-aliens/comment-page-2/#comment-15740 Turk Mon, 17 Mar 2008 03:50:32 +0000 http://www.universetoday.com/2008/03/14/making-the-best-first-impression-with-aliens/#comment-15740 If we found a planet that contained life, and the life that was on that planet was inferiour to us, what do you think we would do? We would find a way to invade it, and take their resources. There's racism among people of the same race, and you guys think that we are all just going to get along with a whole different race of intelligent species? That we are all just going to agree on the same subjects? Not at all. Face it, we need more resources, and if that species is inferiour to us we will deffinetly take advantage of their virgin planet. (I'm saying their planet is a "virgin" because they do not have the technology to use up their resources as fast as we are doing). Or we'll just find a way to trade lol. =] This is my opinion, and I'll probably never come back on this site again so yea. If we found a planet that contained life, and the life that was on that planet was inferiour to us, what do you think we would do?

We would find a way to invade it, and take their resources. There's racism among people of the same race, and you guys think that we are all just going to get along with a whole different race of intelligent species? That we are all just going to agree on the same subjects? Not at all. Face it, we need more resources, and if that species is inferiour to us we will deffinetly take advantage of their virgin planet. (I'm saying their planet is a "virgin" because they do not have the technology to use up their resources as fast as we are doing). Or we'll just find a way to trade lol. =]

This is my opinion, and I'll probably never come back on this site again so yea.

]]> By: alien 52 http://www.universetoday.com/2008/03/14/making-the-best-first-impression-with-aliens/comment-page-2/#comment-15727 alien 52 Sun, 16 Mar 2008 23:35:31 +0000 http://www.universetoday.com/2008/03/14/making-the-best-first-impression-with-aliens/#comment-15727 Your math lies. Get beyond the limits of your 3 dimensional thinking. Are you really not capable to control the primordial black holes around your solar system ? We are watching all the time but we dont see you progressing. the only place where you seem to be on rack is on this internet web site as you call it. Visonaries like Fraser and Ian are the ones that bring you earthlings forward. improve your thinking, your maths and learn to control stellar physics. speed of light is no limit but a self delusion you created in order to avoid a broader thinking. Your math lies.
Get beyond the limits of your 3 dimensional thinking.

Are you really not capable to control the primordial black holes around your solar system ?

We are watching all the time but we dont see you progressing.

the only place where you seem to be on rack is on this internet web site as you call it.

Visonaries like Fraser and Ian are the ones that bring you earthlings forward.

improve your thinking, your maths and learn to control stellar physics.

speed of light is no limit but a self delusion you created in order to avoid a broader thinking.

]]> By: Chuck Lam http://www.universetoday.com/2008/03/14/making-the-best-first-impression-with-aliens/comment-page-2/#comment-15712 Chuck Lam Sun, 16 Mar 2008 16:49:37 +0000 http://www.universetoday.com/2008/03/14/making-the-best-first-impression-with-aliens/#comment-15712 It is almost a certainty that life is bubbling throughout the universe. Some more advanced than humans and maybe only a few hundred or thousand light years away, most probably not. Will contact ever be made? I don't think so. The communication distances involved are simply too great. Modulated radio frequency, am, fm, pulsed, ssb, name it, and it diminishes gradually to nothing after a few light years. The math doesn't lie. It is almost a certainty that life is bubbling throughout the universe. Some more advanced than humans and maybe only a few hundred or thousand light years away, most probably not. Will contact ever be made? I don't think so. The communication distances involved are simply too great. Modulated radio frequency, am, fm, pulsed, ssb, name it, and it diminishes gradually to nothing after a few light years. The math doesn't lie.

]]> By: GBendt http://www.universetoday.com/2008/03/14/making-the-best-first-impression-with-aliens/comment-page-2/#comment-15709 GBendt Sun, 16 Mar 2008 15:17:46 +0000 http://www.universetoday.com/2008/03/14/making-the-best-first-impression-with-aliens/#comment-15709 Trying to find appropiate words to introduce ourselves to aliens is as viable as trying to find the right words to talk effectively to a whale. Regards, Günther Trying to find appropiate words to introduce ourselves to aliens is as viable as trying to find the right words to talk effectively to a whale.

Regards,

Günther

]]> By: Kevin http://www.universetoday.com/2008/03/14/making-the-best-first-impression-with-aliens/comment-page-2/#comment-15708 Kevin Sun, 16 Mar 2008 14:41:18 +0000 http://www.universetoday.com/2008/03/14/making-the-best-first-impression-with-aliens/#comment-15708 Oh, we're thinking just like humans. Let's send them tapes of the last few democratic debates. They'll lose all interest in us for sure. Oh, we're thinking just like humans. Let's send them tapes of the last few democratic debates. They'll lose all interest in us for sure.

]]> By: Alien 37 http://www.universetoday.com/2008/03/14/making-the-best-first-impression-with-aliens/comment-page-2/#comment-15706 Alien 37 Sun, 16 Mar 2008 14:01:23 +0000 http://www.universetoday.com/2008/03/14/making-the-best-first-impression-with-aliens/#comment-15706 I can tell you that we dont talk to you. You are still so embryonic that you regard the right to own a gun as a sign of freedom. At the same time you are not capable to balance your resource consumption and destroy your biosphere. GAL I can tell you that we dont talk to you.
You are still so embryonic that you regard the right to own a gun as a sign of freedom.
At the same time you are not capable to balance your resource consumption and destroy your biosphere.

GAL

]]> By: Mr. Kokorrr http://www.universetoday.com/2008/03/14/making-the-best-first-impression-with-aliens/comment-page-2/#comment-15700 Mr. Kokorrr Sun, 16 Mar 2008 11:58:42 +0000 http://www.universetoday.com/2008/03/14/making-the-best-first-impression-with-aliens/#comment-15700 those messages its like windows password for hackers they probably now preparing special weapons for us then they ll invade us those messages its like windows password for hackers
they probably now preparing special weapons for us
then they ll invade us

]]> By: Joseph Baneth Allen http://www.universetoday.com/2008/03/14/making-the-best-first-impression-with-aliens/comment-page-2/#comment-15685 Joseph Baneth Allen Sun, 16 Mar 2008 04:39:54 +0000 http://www.universetoday.com/2008/03/14/making-the-best-first-impression-with-aliens/#comment-15685 If Douglas Vakoch honestly equates advanced age with great wisdom, then he has disqualified himself to be an objective composer of interstellar messages to any ETIs that Humanity may initially eavesdrop on. Elevating an ETI to Godhead status and giving that culture superior moral authority over Humanity just because they have potential "seniority" by a few thousand or million years is a foolish policy apparently advocated by the SETI Institute. "Having long ago conquered war, poverty, and disease, having formed a stable society capable of enduring on time scales that stagger our imaginations, what would they think of our human flaws and imperfections?" writes Mr. Vakoch. What if Mr. Vakoch is wrong? What if an senior citizen ETI hasn't conquered war, poverty, and disease? What then Mr. Vakoch? Do you turn you back on them in disgust because they haven't lived up to your expectations? Or do you keep searching for an ETI that you can elevate to Humanity's Savior? Why does Humanity have to impress an ETI? Perhaps I don't have Mr. Vakoch's vast life experience, but I believe true friendships begin by mutual respect and admiration. I don't think Humanity should or needs to impress an ETI with our, as Mr. Vakoch describes it, "primitive" technology. If one person in a relationship spends his time fawning over the superiority of the other person and receives nothing in return, then its not a true friendship built on respect and mutual admiration. My question for Mr. Vakoch and the SETI Institute is why to the elevate ETIs to Messiah Status. Why does the SETI Institute apparently refuse to consider that by the very act of communicating that any ETI will be committing a very Human act? And if an ETI is capable of committing one Human act, than isn't it reasonable to assume that an ETI will a full range of emotions and motivations that are exact duplicate of the ones that drive Humanity - the good and the bad? Mr. Vakoch seems to want Humanity to have a one-night stand with an ETI. I'd rather have a committed, long-term relationship based on both Humanity's and an ETI's strengths and weaknesses, because even an ETI will have feet, tentacles, or scales of clay - and Mr. Vakoch and the SETI Institute would do well to remember that. If Douglas Vakoch honestly equates advanced age with great wisdom, then he has disqualified himself to be an objective composer of interstellar messages to any ETIs that Humanity may initially eavesdrop on.

Elevating an ETI to Godhead status and giving that culture superior moral authority over Humanity just because they have potential "seniority" by a few thousand or million years is a foolish policy apparently advocated by the SETI Institute.

"Having long ago conquered war, poverty, and disease, having formed a stable society capable of enduring on time scales that stagger our imaginations, what would they think of our human flaws and imperfections?" writes Mr. Vakoch.

What if Mr. Vakoch is wrong? What if an senior citizen ETI hasn't conquered war, poverty, and disease? What then Mr. Vakoch? Do you turn you back on them in disgust because they haven't lived up to your expectations? Or do you keep searching for an ETI that you can elevate to Humanity's Savior? Why does Humanity have to impress an ETI?

Perhaps I don't have Mr. Vakoch's vast life experience, but I believe true friendships begin by mutual respect and admiration. I don't think Humanity should or needs to impress an ETI with our, as Mr. Vakoch describes it, "primitive" technology. If one person in a relationship spends his time fawning over the superiority of the other person and receives nothing in return, then its not a true friendship built on respect and mutual admiration.

My question for Mr. Vakoch and the SETI Institute is why to the elevate ETIs to Messiah Status. Why does the SETI Institute apparently refuse to consider that by the very act of communicating that any ETI will be committing a very Human act? And if an ETI is capable of committing one Human act, than isn't it reasonable to assume that an ETI will a full range of emotions and motivations that are exact duplicate of the ones that drive Humanity – the good and the bad?

Mr. Vakoch seems to want Humanity to have a one-night stand with an ETI. I'd rather have a committed, long-term relationship based on both Humanity's and an ETI's strengths and weaknesses, because even an ETI will have feet, tentacles, or scales of clay – and Mr. Vakoch and the SETI Institute would do well to remember that.

]]> By: Silver Thread http://www.universetoday.com/2008/03/14/making-the-best-first-impression-with-aliens/comment-page-2/#comment-15682 Silver Thread Sun, 16 Mar 2008 04:06:55 +0000 http://www.universetoday.com/2008/03/14/making-the-best-first-impression-with-aliens/#comment-15682 I say we shut up and listen for them first. Guessing how they might react and to what they might react is futile speculation. If they have the technology to hear us, they may well have the technology to hear most everything we transmit already. Not only this but consider if the alien species is filled with religious Zealots we may well cast them into some sort of Holy War on their own planet. I think at this stage in our development we would do well to focus on our continued growth as a species. I say we shut up and listen for them first. Guessing how they might react and to what they might react is futile speculation. If they have the technology to hear us, they may well have the technology to hear most everything we transmit already.

Not only this but consider if the alien species is filled with religious Zealots we may well cast them into some sort of Holy War on their own planet. I think at this stage in our development we would do well to focus on our continued growth as a species.

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