tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5585634015029577378.post430569032501697687..comments2023-03-19T07:58:10.883-06:00Comments on Alien First Contact: Extraterrestrial Contact: Do We Believe Them?Eric Melcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09241965998003676966noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5585634015029577378.post-88849273181811698502012-01-09T11:50:08.200-06:002012-01-09T11:50:08.200-06:00Carson: You're right, the religious fundamenta...Carson: You're right, the religious fundamentalist reaction could be a big issue, across a number of different religions, but certainly among those with apocalyptic beliefs. There have been studies showing that people with stronger religious convictions were more likely to respond to first contact in a negative way. It would be interesting to take that a step further and really investigate fundamentalist perceptions and possible reactions to first contact.Eric Melcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09241965998003676966noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5585634015029577378.post-26410535377960094972012-01-08T23:04:03.848-06:002012-01-08T23:04:03.848-06:00Well said. I have always been shocked how little ...Well said. I have always been shocked how little planning our government and scientists have put into such an important situation that may arise. <br /><br />I do think we are ready. We can handle it and people always under estimate humans ability to survive and adapt. As Carl said, much more time is given to the science and seriousness of SETI, astrobiology and space missions. It is seeping into people's consciousness. The discipline astrobiology, is blowing up and technology is only going to get better. <br /><br />I apologize ahead of time for getting political and religious :-) However, it is a huge problem. I worry the huge sect of American conservative Christians will not take the news well. Their reaction will be interesting and perhaps dangerous. Some will flat out deny all evidence as they do with most science (unless it's high info first contact) and others will think it's the sign of the devil or demons. I can't imagine the conservative republican politicians response, but it won't be thoughtful or intelligent. <br /><br />Sadly most politicians do not think long term or in decades.Carsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03870362155053182039noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5585634015029577378.post-57674519582327156512012-01-06T13:06:15.393-06:002012-01-06T13:06:15.393-06:00Alvaro: That's a good question. I think we hav...Alvaro: That's a good question. I think we have the technological linkages now to help us deal with First Contact (Internet, social media, satellite media sharing) however what we're lacking is a solidified international body to respond to First Contact diplomacy needs. The United Nations could be that organization, but it certainly isn't prepared now. Will it ever be prepared? Possibly not. If humans won't take First Contact planning seriously now, will they in 20 or 30 years? Institutions respond to the greatest need. Until they see a clear need for a First Contact diplomacy process they probably won't prepare one. So, now could be as good a time as any for First Contact. I say bring it on.Eric Melcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09241965998003676966noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5585634015029577378.post-60245048514256747552012-01-06T01:29:42.970-06:002012-01-06T01:29:42.970-06:00Hello Eric! :) Thanks for the reply!
What makes y...Hello Eric! :) Thanks for the reply!<br /><br />What makes you think "now" would be right moment to "open it" to the public? You think it wouldn't create more "chaos"?Baritohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14902508103148502092noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5585634015029577378.post-68791255008456700112012-01-05T15:38:06.221-06:002012-01-05T15:38:06.221-06:00Alvaro: I think that you're right about govern...Alvaro: I think that you're right about government control. If a government has the ability to control first contact I think they would do such. Scientific bodies would really depend on who made the discovery. I think anyone involved in the SETI community would face a strong pressure by colleagues to make it public. And you're right...we probably have a long way to go before we're ready for such things, or it could be that we could never be more ready than now.Eric Melcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09241965998003676966noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5585634015029577378.post-76521713531452539202012-01-05T05:46:16.532-06:002012-01-05T05:46:16.532-06:00I totally agree with has been said, still i don...I totally agree with has been said, still i don't believe that if the "First Contact" happens/happened it would be shared/said to the Public.<br /><br />Governments, Scientific/Militar/Other Institutions don't share other type of knowledge, events or activities, so why would they do it for a "First Contact"?<br /><br />Such event, would dramatically change our Society and Way of Living, even Faith... and who is "leading" this Society don't want to lose the control of it.<br /><br />Besides that, i believe that an advanced civilization, wouldn't establish contact with a less advanced civilization, and why? Because of the consequences of that event. If they do, well, movies like "Independence Day" would show what is the purpose.<br /><br />Our Society needs to evolve in so many aspects before a "First Contact" happens or becomes "public". :)Baritohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14902508103148502092noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5585634015029577378.post-35836383687024242822012-01-03T12:17:22.906-06:002012-01-03T12:17:22.906-06:00Carl: You make a good point- there are plenty of a...Carl: You make a good point- there are plenty of active scientific endeavors that deserve more attention and can help spark a conversation about the larger issues of First Contact. Happy New year to you as well. Given the Kepler discoveries in 2011, I think 2012 will be exciting for space exploration.Eric Melcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09241965998003676966noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5585634015029577378.post-47471726151305445932012-01-03T08:01:34.581-06:002012-01-03T08:01:34.581-06:00I agree that we should spend more time thinking ab...I agree that we should spend more time thinking about and discussing potential contact with extraterrestrials, or a discovery that life is/has been present away from our planet. <br /><br />If we were to receive high information first contact today a large proportion of society would not be prepared. More mainstream media (TV, radio & internet) time needs to be given to this subject to prepare us for any such contact. <br /><br />I hope that initiatives such as the Mars Curiosity Rover or the Grail satellites mapping the moon will get media attention and reinvigorate the interest in space and the possibility that life could exist away from this planet.<br /> <br />As we know more about our galaxy and exo-planets thanks to the Kepler telescope the chances of finding life, being noticed, or being worthy of contact increases. Therefore we need to start thinking of an existence where life on Earth is not the only life in the universe.<br /><br />Happy new year to all who read this blog. Hopefully 2012 will herald more exciting debate and discoveries!Carl (from UK)noreply@blogger.com