Contact with aliens?

[Archae]

Why is it, whenever I read about or see in movies or TV aliens contacting humans, it's usually of 3 types:

1. Super advanced aliens here to help us/save us

2. Aliens come all this way here, just to blow us up or eat us

3. Aliens come all this way here, fly around a little, abduct a couple people and shove stuff up their butts

What would happen, if the *BIG* *DAY* really happens.

An alien "mother ship" appears.

Some smaller craft fly around for a little while.

Then they leave.
That's it.
No contact, we don't even see them.
They basically just looked at us, then left.

What do you think the UFO groups would do?
Commit mass suicide out of total frustration? :shrug:

[LastKnight]

1. you dont pet the lions at the zoo do you?

i rest my case lol

-LK

[Archae]

2. Good point!

We really can't behave ourselves too much, can we?

[baldguy]

13. or talk to the microbes in a petri dish.

[jpgray]

3. Remember Fermi's paradox

The galaxy contains roughly a hundred billion stars. If even a very small fraction of these have planets which develop technological civilizations, there must be a very large number of such civilizations. If any of these civilizations produce cultures which colonize over interstellar distances, even at a small fraction of the speed of light, the galaxy should have been completely colonized in no more than a few million years. Since the galaxy is billions of years old, Earth should have been visited and colonized long ago. The absence of any evidence for such life is the Fermi paradox.

[Ladyhawk]

4. Arthur C. Clarke's Rendezvous with Rama addressed this.

An alien spacecraft entered Earth's solar system, used the sun to fuel up, then took off, leaving the scientists quite flustered.

Even though intelligent life may exist elsewhere, I doubt it would/could make contact with Earth. I'm one of those people who believe that outrageous claims require outrageous proof. Once there is undeniable proof and the aliens can be scientifically studied, then I'll believe it.

[Exultant Democracy]

5. We would try and bring them democracy, cowboy style.

[LastKnight]

6. only if they had oil nt

[Exultant Democracy]

9. You forgot about cheap labor

Next time you call for coutomer support they are going to be speaking english with a heavy martian accent. "How may I help you earthling?"

[maggrwaggr]

7. why would creatures that advanced limit themselves to 3 dimensional travel

It always cracks me up when people use our version of the three dimensional world that we perceive as a model for what aliens might do.

If they were/are advanced enough to fly around the galaxies checking things out, they're not gonna use three dimensions. It would be idiotic.

That's why they seem to show up and disappear rather magically and they don't obey the laws of physics. They're not a gazlillion light years away, they're right here, on the other side of the looking glass.

[Archae]

8. And maybe laughng their heads off.

"Earth's Funniest Videos!" :-)

"This Earth man says he is the leader of the most powerful country on his planet."
(Audience sees Bush, laughs their asses off)

[Salviati]

12. I picture the alien nature show

The aliens, having visited earth a few million years ago, now return, and produce a show called: "Look what the monkeys are doing now"

[ConcernedCanuk]

10. WE could just be some "kids" pet farm of "critters" for all we know

.
.
.

and just like we put in a fake plant for our turtles and fishes

or treat our snakes with live mice now and then

every now and then they throw in a GeeDubya and watch the fun !!

:bounce:

wrap your head around THAT !!

:evilgrin:

[CrownPrinceBandar]

11. They'd stay alive and gloat...eom

Hope aliens DO show up. It'll drive humanity apeshit, no longer being the biggest kid on the block. Things would get really weird, but at least it would finally vindicate all the sci-fi geeks.:eyes:

[lazarus]

14. I like John Varley's idea

When the aliens invaded earth, but didn't even bother wiping us out. They just ignored us. We were like some form of small insect or vermin to them. They "terraformed" the planet to suit them, so what few humans could make it off earth to the moon and a few other colonies in space were all that was left. And nobody ever managed to communicate with the aliens.

Just totally ignored by them. Gods, that would be frustrating.

Then there's Niven and Pournelle's Footfall, where the aliens (swipe for spoiler) actually are very technologically backwards, having been given the technology, so they're easily defeated by the Earthlings, who are much more creative, and have the use of science fiction writers as a special task group for ideas. Silly, yes.

[CrownPrinceBandar]

15. I always wanted...

a "Footfall" movie. It was one of my fav. Niven/Pournelle books. Lots of action so it would keep moviegoers interested, and the Fi would look good al CGI'ed. It would be a hell of a lot better than "ID4" (but thats a no-brainer).

[AlienGirl]

16. I have written the ultimate first-contact story!

The first couple of people I showed it to were a little freaked out because...well...it's just a little *too* plausible! :evilgrin:

http://www.geocities.com/scaredandcold/cutesquad.html

Enjoy.

Be afraid.

Tucker

[everythingsxen]

17. It's a lie!

The story is not fiction! It is true! She is irresistably cute!

Must.. obey... cute... alien....

[regnaD kciN]

18. Steely Dan came up with a similar idea...

TOMORROW'S GIRLS

Our town is just like any other
Good citizens at work and play
Normal folks doin' business in the normal way
This morning was like any other
Mommies kissing daddies goodbye
Then the milkman screamed
And pointed up at the sky

Chorus:
From Sheilus to the reefs of Kizmar
From Stargate and the Outer Worlds
They're speeding towards our sun
They're on a party run
Here come Tomorrow's Girls
Tomorrow's Girls

You see them on the grass at lunch hour
Soaking up the vertical rays
In their summer dresses
A little smile can really make your day
Their kisses feel like real kisses
And when they cry they cry real tears
But what's left in your arms
When the static clears

Chorus:
They're landing on the Jersey beaches
Their engines make the white sand swirl
The heat is so intense
Earth men have no defense
Against Tomorrow's Girls

In the cool of the evening
In the last light of the triple sun
I wait by the go-tree
When the day's busy work is done
Soon the warm night breezes
Start rolling in off the sea
Yes, at lantern time
That's when you come to me
Come to me

Our home is just like any other
We're grillin' burgers on the back lawn
Some time goes by
We fall asleep with the TV on
I dream about a laughing angel
Then the laugh becomes a furious whine
Look out fellas
It's shredding time

Chorus:
They're mixing with the population
A virus wearing pumps and pearls
Lord help the lonely guys
Hooked by those hungry eyes
Here come Tomorrow's Girls
Tomorrow's Girls

Chorus:
From Sheilus to the reefs of Kizmar
From Stargate and the Outer Worlds
They're speeding towards our sun
They're on a party run
Here come Tomorrow's Girls
Tomorrow's Girls

[TrogL]

20. That's spooky - and plausible

[TrogL]

19. Another variant

They show up. They beg for help. They're really, really stupid.