A Direct First Contact event would be one of the most
significant historical markers in human history. The world leaders involved in
that event would most likely be remembered for how they acted and how they led
in the wake of Direct First Contact. It would be a high-stakes moment. Let’s
consider some of their challenges.
Safety
A Direct First Contact event assumes that aliens have
arrived in our solar system to make contact with humans. That relatively close
proximity, whether it be from millions of miles away in the asteroid belt or in
Earth orbit, would be a security issue for humans. The leaders of nations are
charged with keeping their population safe and secure. For this reason, safety
is likely to be a top priority for world leaders in the first days of a Direct
First Contact event. An important point to recognize is the danger of
over-reaction. A military alert would have to be handled quite carefully.
Sudden actions or mistakes on the part of responding forces could be disastrous.
World leaders would need to navigate such challenges very carefully. This is
especially true of the world powers with the largest militaries and a presence
in space. For this reason it may be best to have the UN Security Council take
the lead on safety response, as the nations with the largest space programs are
represented. A coordinated effort would also make the most sense for combining
military and space-based resources.
Control
There will be a natural instinct on the part of world leaders
to seek advantage for their nation in the wake of Direct First Contact. It’s
understandable, as leaders are charged with promoting the best interests of
their nation. However, in this case such an approach could prove problematic.
Every nation will want to be a beneficiary of the positive aspects of First
Contact. A nation that tries to circumvent international relations, and seek
their own direct relationship with extraterrestrials, would risk retribution by
other nations. If many of the world powers acted in such a way, and at the same
time, there could be chaos. World leaders will have to understand that if the
aliens want to treat all nations equally, trying to change that would be a
mistake. A level playing field would benefit all humans and all nations in the
long run.
Keeping People Calm
As I have mentioned before in this blog, surveys show that
most humans would be fine with a First Contact event. A Direct First Contact event
would be more stressful, as safety would be an issue. However, it seems likely
that the larger human population will watch what happens and reserve judgment.
There will be fringe groups that will react immediately and some of those
actions could be dramatic. There could be legitimate concern involved in those
reactions, but it could also be a case of fringe group leaders firing up their
base to gain power. World leaders will need to manage such activity in their
country and yet still maintain an environment where people are able to voice
their concerns. That, of course, assumes that the nation allows open
discussion. Some countries are quite restrictive about the public discussion of
sensitive topics. Due to the enormity of a Direct First Contact event, trying
to keep discussion suppressed could be a huge mistake, leading to even more
unrest. It would be too huge a moment for people not to discuss it openly.
Humans will need to talk through the issues that would come with Direct First
Contact. Fringe groups will need to raise their concerns. And yet everyone will
need to be respectful of each other and keep calm. I still believe that if
aliens with good intentions approach humans to say hello, the biggest threat to
humans would be the human reaction. It would be up to world leaders to maintain
calm.
Legacy
Historians often speak of legacy when it comes to world
leaders. It is commonly considered the actions and accomplishments of a leader
that will be remembered by future generations and how those actions and
accomplishments will be remembered. Legacy can be positive or negative,
depending on the historian. Leaders may consider their legacy in
decision-making. So, what of legacy and First Contact? World leaders will need
to recognize that they are making decisions that will impact humanity for
generations to come. Knee-jerk reactions could hurt humanity; in the process,
making that leader’s legacy quite negative.
Leaders need to make immediate decisions and that means
keeping their heads in the here and now. However, they would need to step back
at some point and look at the bigger picture. They would be leading humans at
one of the most important junctures in human history. It will not be just
another day at the office.
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