Humans
tend to have a monolithic and yet shallow view of First Contact. This is especially true of Direct First
Contact, a scenario in which aliens make contact in close proximity to Earth,
or on Earth, thus enabling humans and extraterrestrials to have an actual
conversation and begin a relationship. Such an event would be extraordinary and
most of us agree that it would have a profound impact on the human
civilization. But after the awe and wonder we will have to move forward. So, I
ask- what happens next?
The
optimists would say we would go skipping down the path to a grand new future.
The cynics say we would be destroyed, either by aliens with evil intentions, or
by ourselves, as our society in thrown into chaos. As with all extremes, both
of those poles seem rather unlikely. What does seem likely is the messy middle-
a little of this and a little of that, much that we never expected, and plenty
of serious challenges. Those challenges are likely to be based on the great
debate. The topic for discussion: What do we, as a human society, do next? Do
we open relations with extraterrestrials or keep them at a distance? How much
access do we give them in communication? Do we control who they communicate
with? Who does all of this deciding, anyway? Does the United Nations take the
lead? Do scientists lead the effort? How much is this situation about diplomacy
and how much is it about science? What do we ask the extraterrestrials to tell
us about themselves? Do we want scientific information? Do we want information
about their technology? Who decides what we want to know about? Do they even
care what we want? How do we deal with that?
I
could go on for a good bit. You get the picture. There would be a million
questions and many of them quite pressing in a Direct First Contact situation.
Decisions would have to be made. In the end, one hopes anyway, those decisions
probably wouldn’t be made by a small group of people. If news of Direct First
Contact does indeed reach the entire human population, humans from all corners
of the globe will rightfully demand some sort of input into what decisions are
made. We would most likely rely on our national governments to relay those
concerns and expect governmental leaders to act on our behalf. Those concerns
may be wide ranging and divergent. People in one nation, and from a certain
culture, could feel very differently about First Contact from people in another
nation, and from a different culture. We may have 20 different opinions about
any one particular question. And most likely nations and cultures would be divided
in opinion within themselves.
If
national governments are the only representation for the people of planet
Earth, there would need to be a forum for governments to debate the options and
decide a path forward. The most logical forum would be the United Nations, as
it is made up of most nations on Earth. Other International groups are less
representative or designed for specific tasks- such as the World Bank or the
International Monetary Fund. Scientific groups, such as the International
Astronomical Union, while representing scientists worldwide, do not have
experience in diplomacy or wide-ranging international policy. They would be
hugely helpful for input and expertise, but no scientific body is designed to
debate policy and make governmental decisions. That only leaves one real
choice.
There is a regular debate in the United
Nations on many different issues. The framework and infrastructure for debating
issues of extraterrestrial contact are in place and ready to go, even if that
particular subject has never been seriously considered. Sure, there would be
plenty of additional work to set up additional committees and sub-committees,
but even some of these already exist. One would imagine that the Committee on
the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space might be a good place to start (even if they
have failed to plan for this eventuality).
The
discussion needs to involve all nations and come from many different perspectives. It should not be controlled or dominated by powerful
governments or institutions. There is no doubt that nations such as the United
States, Russia and China will have a huge role in the post-First Contact
decision making. However, they would need to respect other nations, listen to
the diversity of opinions, and then allow the General Assembly to make
decisions.
It
will be hard, because there will be a lot of different voices. The fringes would
need to be heard, despite how unsettling their points of view may be to the
majority. Diversity would be critically
important and we would actually have to listen to each other. We might even
change our opinions as a result and come up with new ideas. This would be the
fruit of the process. In this particular debate there would be no precedent to
examine. Perhaps some finer points could be gleaned from examining our past,
but for the most part we will need to look towards the future with imagination
and using critical thinking. We will be making decisions that could affect many
generations to come.
There
will be a big internal struggle. Post First Contact decision making cannot be
controlled by politicians, corporations and those seeking to keep power or
acquire new power. If that sounds like a tall-order, it would be. After all,
who appoints representatives to the United Nations? Governments.
And that, of course, means politicians and bureaucrats. Politicians and
bureaucrats are heavily influenced by corporations and lobbyists- it’s how most
governmental systems work. It will be impossible to stop all influence, and of
course, corporations and interest groups deserve to be heard as well.
If it all sounds like a nightmare, it certainly could be.
Post First Contact decision making will need to be led by tough and rational
facilitators who have a greater calling: the betterment of humanity. Once
again, I point to the formation of the United Nations. This is their charge.
This is why the body exists. Would First Contact challenge an already at times beleaguered
and often maligned organization? Most likely. This would be the time for the
United Nations to step up and make a difference. If the body has been searching
for a purpose, as critics have implied, contact with extraterrestrials would
appear to be a pretty good reason for existing. Will the United Nations need to
change, become more responsive and better administered? Of course. But all of
that would have to start somewhere.
Time for you to chime in with your criticism of
the UN. Join the conversation on the Alien First Contact Facebook page.