There are no experts when it comes to extraterrestrials. It’s
a simple statement and easy to make because we have no facts to support such
scholarship. We don’t even know if intelligent extraterrestrial beings exist.
So, if Alien First Contact does happen someday, we won’t be able to turn to
experts for advice. Luckily, there are enterprising scientists with expertise
related to the search for extraterrestrial intelligence. These astrophysicists and astronomers use technology to explore the universe, looking for signs of
intelligent life. Astrobiologists have similar roles, in the sense that while
they have no extraterrestrial life to study, they have acquired expertise in
how to look for signs of extraterrestrial life. These scientists would be on
the front lines of the human response if we do eventually make contact with
extraterrestrials. Their roles would depend on the nature of that contact. All three fields would be incredibly important if a far off signal is discovered. Such a
discovery would likely come from such a scientist and they would lead the path
forward. Direct First Contact would be more complicated. If aliens did visit
our solar system it would create a different set of challenges. The close
proximity of such an event would place more emphasis on human reaction. The
tiny field of astrosociology would come into play. It is defined by its
creators as the study of “the social, cultural, and behavioral
patterns related to outer space.”
First Contact expertise could be divided up
into two basic areas: The Study of Us and the Study of Them. The Study of Them would
be an examination of the extraterrestrials themselves: their biology, psychology,
society, development, science, and religion. The Study of Us would be our
reaction to such information and the impact it has on our psychology, society,
science and religion. Initially there would be no experts in such things. It
would be necessary for human academics in those areas to apply their current
knowledge to this new perspective. Comparison would probably be the first
study. I think all human experts would have to first consider intelligent extraterrestrials
by comparing them to humans. After all, humanity is the only benchmark we have.
Comparison could then lead to a more robust study of extraterrestrials and the
human reaction to First Contact.
I have often mentioned in this blog that an
important consideration in the wake of First Contact will be the impact of
information provided by extraterrestrials. In the case of a far-off signal,
that may be less important, as communication could be quite arduous. If aliens
came to our solar system, and had learned our languages, that information
sharing could be much quicker and thus have much more of an impact. Experts
will need to carefully assess that sharing. If we receive too much information
at once we may find our institutions washed away in the process. Imagine a
tsunami of foreign knowledge about physics, engineering, biology, and chemistry.
It could wash away the foundations of our science. New perspectives on religion
and society could have a profound impact on our social institutions.
In the long term, the academic process will
adjust for these many changes and we will develop new experts in many different
areas After First Contact. But getting there could be difficult. Current
experts would need to move quickly to take on the challenges created by Alien First
Contact. Institutions would need to be more flexible than they usually are when
it comes to developing new ways of doing things. Politicians and other leaders would
need to be very careful about how they react to First Contact situations.
Everyone would need to work together. There would be short term needs for which
expertise will be lacking. Entire new fields of study will open in the long
term. We need to make sure those lines of inquiry support the needs of the
human civilization. Even if aliens arrive with the best of intentions there
will be a great threat to humanity. A new perspective will be exciting. It will
also be dangerous to our institutions. It will take clear heads, innovative
thought, and good intentions for humans to move forward in a positive way.
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