Claims of alien abduction are the foundation of a robust
subculture in human society. Whether those claims are true or not, the issue of
possible alien interference in human lives is something that would need to be
addressed in the wake of Direct First Contact. By Direct First Contact I mean
an alien civilization that has traveled to our solar system and communicated
with us. Such a situation would raise an obvious set of questions: have these
visitors or other visitors come to Earth in the past? Did they conduct biological
experiments on Earth? Did those experiments involve humans? Exactly when and
where did such contact occur?
Security would be a major concern in the wake of a Direct
First Contact event. Due to the very nature of the situation- space-faring
aliens in our solar system – there is a possible threat to humanity. We would
need to be very protective of our celestial neighborhood and certainly Earth
itself. We would have many questions. Hopefully, visiting aliens would come in
peace, but it would be wise for us to be cautious and security minded at every
step. And I don’t think a military attack of some sort is the only danger.
Interference in human politics and governance could be quite harmful. Perhaps
the most likely concern should be un-intended consequences of contact with
aliens: disruption to the world economic markets, political disturbances and
other purely human problems.
We would need to set up guidelines for contact immediately. I
have outlined these basic Human Rights that could apply to any alien contact
situation:
1. Humans have the right to self-determination.
2. Humans have a right to not be manipulated by other civilizations.
3. Humans have a right not to have the pillars of human society manipulated by other civilizations, including economy, technology, and civic arrangements.
4. The planet Earth is the sacred home of human beings.
5. Life on Earth should not be interfered with or manipulated by outside beings.
6. Humans have a right to determine how First Contact proceeds.
7. Humans can determine how much information and what type of information they decide to receive about the outside universe.
8. The resources of the planet Earth are the property of citizens of Earth.
9. The solar system of Earth is the property and home of citizens of Earth.
10. Earthlings can decide which beings can enter the solar system and under what conditions.
11. Earthlings can decide which beings can enter Earth atmosphere and under what conditions.
12. Humans will enter into the larger known universe as productive and responsible citizens.
13. Humans will decide exactly how that entry into the larger known universe proceeds.
14. Humans will expect honesty from all parties interacting with the citizens of planet Earth.
15. Humans will demand honesty and forthright disclosure of any past interactions between alien civilizations and people of the planet Earth.
2. Humans have a right to not be manipulated by other civilizations.
3. Humans have a right not to have the pillars of human society manipulated by other civilizations, including economy, technology, and civic arrangements.
4. The planet Earth is the sacred home of human beings.
5. Life on Earth should not be interfered with or manipulated by outside beings.
6. Humans have a right to determine how First Contact proceeds.
7. Humans can determine how much information and what type of information they decide to receive about the outside universe.
8. The resources of the planet Earth are the property of citizens of Earth.
9. The solar system of Earth is the property and home of citizens of Earth.
10. Earthlings can decide which beings can enter the solar system and under what conditions.
11. Earthlings can decide which beings can enter Earth atmosphere and under what conditions.
12. Humans will enter into the larger known universe as productive and responsible citizens.
13. Humans will decide exactly how that entry into the larger known universe proceeds.
14. Humans will expect honesty from all parties interacting with the citizens of planet Earth.
15. Humans will demand honesty and forthright disclosure of any past interactions between alien civilizations and people of the planet Earth.
I believe that the final point would
require a series of interviews or hearings of some sort. A visiting alien
civilization would likely be much older than ours, and thus may have had contact
with humans in the past. It would be important that visitors lay out a clear
history of their actions in our solar system.
We also must consider the possibility
that multiple alien civilizations have visited our solar system in the
past. This would make things more
complicated. Perhaps visiting aliens would say- “we’ve never done anything bad
to humans, but there is another civilization out there that you should know about.”
Or perhaps there was a change in alien policy in terms of interaction with
humans? Consider how often policy changes occur for governments here on Earth.
Is it a stretch to think such problems might occur in an alien civilization?
I personally don’t believe that aliens
have visited Earth in our lifetime or that they have abducted humans. But I
have no evidence one way or another. There would be plenty of questions to ask
in the wake of any First Contact situation.
Some of you may have issues with this
post. Please, feel free to post comments on the blog. I appreciate you reading.
2 comments:
Rather than assert "human" rights, it might be interesting to think from the perspective of "universal rights." Also, the notion that Earth belongs to humans is not self-evident. Here is a thought experiment: What if there were already a species on the planet that is much more advanced than humans? Should they rightfully claim dominion and control over earth (including its human cargo)?
When it comes to drafting universal rules of engagement, it would be fascinating if there were a drug that would cause selective amnesia so that the recipient would forget what species they are. Would such an amnesiac tolerate the growth and killing of cattle just for the taste of cattle body parts (it is obviously not of necessity), especially if the amnesiac might be a cow? By removing the bias of self-interest, different rules and principles might be ascertained.
You make a valid point, but one which we would have to solve internally. Currently, with what we know from science, we are the only organized civilization on the planet. Sure, there are plenty of other intelligent species, but they lack the characteristics of organization to communicate and negotiate as a group with an extraterrestrial civilization. That's what would be necessary in a First Contact situation.
I find it completely plausible that extraterrestrials would come to Earth and be surprised at our sense of entitlement on this planet. We treat other species here like crap and that should be a huge issue in our future development. That's a problem we will have to solve ourselves.
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