Star Trek

Quote (axilmar1 @ Mar. 14 2007, 6:01 pm)

Oh come on...speculation without basis. Anyone that speaks about doom and gloom, why don't you give a reason about it?

No, there is a basis for my statement, but (1) this isn't the place for that indepth discussion and (2) I can't summarize the basis for my beliefs in a short post.

Suffice it to say we disagree.

Quote (Canonista @ Mar. 15 2007, 8:27 pm)

Quote (axilmar1 @ Mar. 14 2007, 6:01 pm) Oh come on...speculation without basis. Anyone that speaks about doom and gloom, why don't you give a reason about it? No, there is a basis for my statement, but (1) this isn't the place for that indepth discussion and (2) I can't summarize the basis for my beliefs in a short post. Suffice it to say we disagree.

If you can not explain your argument in 10 lines, then what kind of argument is that?

Quote (axilmar1 @ Mar. 15 2007, 8:43 pm)

If you can not explain your argument in 10 lines, then what kind of argument is that?

I cannot comprehensively summarize my views on humanity in 10 sentences.  Nor do I wish to state part of it, only to proceed to flesh it out in 10 subsequent replies as people come in late, take the summary out of context, and then devolve the discourse into a series of disjointed and unreasoned arguments about theology, economics, politics, ideology, philosophy, human physiology, psychology, scientific curiousity, and technological advancement.

We are far and away from becoming a "Unified Earth".  Not only do I not see it happening after contact from a peaceful alien species, I don't even believe humans would unify to face a hostile alien species.

Personally speaking I think we give the concept more power than is necessary. And less faith than is required to overcome adversity and great change. And before you think you know where I'm going with this, let me explain my pt of view.

Faith.
In this instance I'm speaking of faith in our fellow mankind. And faith in ourselves. Remember, the concept of the masses (especially the religious) losing their heads and going nuts in the streets, has been preached to us for quite some time now. And yes, quite frankly it makes perfect sense doesn't it. The best brain _ucks usually do. Did anybody ever stop to ask us before telling us how we would react. Let's look at some recent earth changing events. Did the people in NY City lose their heads and walk around in fear and stop living? Without going thru a step by step process basically the answer is No. They overcame. Quite admirably. Fear was not achieved.The only damage it did was to cause us to be supicious at every turn of the corner of our fellow humans. When you look at it that way, fear was achieved thru ignorance. Allowing us to turn against each other. It was also a perfect setting for those who coveted their ignorance to be more forthright about it.

The same mindset (banding together to overcome) can be found in the victims...scratch that... the survivors of Katrina.

In both instances it was the people. The everyday Joe, that banded together to overcome. Yes, much work still needs to be done, but again, I'm speaking about an overall mindset. Both instances actually restored my faith in my fellow mankind.

A couple of yrs ago they interviewed the Dali Lama and asked him the same question. His answer was quite simple and full of humor. It made him chuckle. Apparently, he didn't give it any more power either.

Many folks (religious and scientific) like to preach the 'losing their heads' theory. However, just as many see 'the question' as evidence of the infinite limitless boundries of the universe and/or God. The latter doesn't get as much 'airplay'.
I wonder why.....

Quote (Canonista @ Mar. 17 2007, 1:59 am)

Quote (axilmar1 @ Mar. 15 2007, 8:43 pm) If you can not explain your argument in 10 lines, then what kind of argument is that? I cannot comprehensively summarize my views on humanity in 10 sentences.  Nor do I wish to state part of it, only to proceed to flesh it out in 10 subsequent replies as people come in late, take the summary out of context, and then devolve the discourse into a series of disjointed and unreasoned arguments about theology, economics, politics, ideology, philosophy, human physiology, psychology, scientific curiousity, and technological advancement. We are far and away from becoming a "Unified Earth".  Not only do I not see it happening after contact from a peaceful alien species, I don't even believe humans would unify to face a hostile alien species.

I do not understand why is it sooo difficult to do it. Ok, do not do it in 10 lines, do it in a 100. Please do us the honors.

I agree with OneofOneofOne. I think that the people of Earth, after recovering from the shock and the fear, can learn to accept an alien presence. Society as a whole would adapt, again proving just how resilient humanity is.

Major governments, on the other hand, would freak. They would see first contact with extraterrestrials as a threat to their power. Governments around the world would incite panic and use military action against the aliens.

Star Trek's scenario is quite plausible. If Earth suffers a devastating war, in which the superpower governments are destroyed, then first contact could succeed peacefully. People, even people traumatized by war, could handle it and might even welcome it.

Quote

Major governments, on the other hand, would freak. They would see first contact with extraterrestrials as a threat to their power. Governments around the world would incite panic and use military action against the aliens.

At last some words of wisdom.

We are and will never be ready. We don't like major changes like this. But if first contact does happen today, we will adapt and accept it. If first contact does happen today, it will give humanity a new goal with which to aspire. A lot of the problems we have, like  racisim, religious intolerance, world hunger, etc. will slowly disappear as we all work together to reach the stars. Each human is very different, and when there is difference, there can be conflict and may lead to nasty things like wars. There is nothing that bonds a people more than a common goal (or enemy). All differences will be put aside to work toward that goal. That's my opinion.

Quote (theapsquad @ Mar. 27 2007, 5:01 am)

We are and will never be ready. We don't like major changes like this. But if first contact does happen today, we will adapt and accept it. If first contact does happen today, it will give humanity a new goal with which to aspire. A lot of the problems we have, like ?racisim, religious intolerance, world hunger, etc. will slowly disappear as we all work together to reach the stars. Each human is very different, and when there is difference, there can be conflict and may lead to nasty things like wars. There is nothing that bonds a people more than a common goal (or enemy). All differences will be put aside to work toward that goal. That's my opinion.

I think eventually humanity will be ready for first contact and it will be spectacular. But before that happens, global warming will finish its wrath in about 500 years from now and those that survive will put aside any prejudices, intolerance, and paranoia and people will finally come together for one purpose: survival. The day we as a people become inconvenienced is the moment we will live long and prosper. By the time aliens (if they exist that is) arrives on our planet, we will be ready. Or better yet, I truly think that it will be us who will make first contact on an alien planet. How about that!

I'm sure any superior alien race we encounter would only want to serve man.

Quote (whatisbrain @ April 25 2007, 7:26 pm)

I'm sure any superior alien race we encounter would only want to serve man.

that isn't a very logical statement, and a very human centric one. that kind of "im better than you" thinking has got us into many wars. if they contact us and they are more advanced the best we can hope for is that they are benevolent and would like to help us out. but not be our slaves. At the worst they would conquer and enslave us.

Quote (whatisbrain @ April 24 2007, 10:26 pm)

I'm sure any superior alien race we encounter would only want to serve man.

yum yum

Quote (OneofOneof1 @ Mar. 17 2007, 11:03 am)

Personally speaking I think we give the concept more power than is necessary. And less faith than is required to overcome adversity and great change. And before you think you know where I'm going with this, let me explain my pt of view. Faith. In this instance I'm speaking of faith in our fellow mankind. And faith in ourselves. Remember, the concept of the masses (especially the religious) losing their heads and going nuts in the streets, has been preached to us for quite some time now. And yes, quite frankly it makes perfect sense doesn't it. The best brain _ucks usually do. Did anybody ever stop to ask us before telling us how we would react. Let's look at some recent earth changing events. Did the people in NY City lose their heads and walk around in fear and stop living? Without going thru a step by step process basically the answer is No. They overcame. Quite admirably. Fear was not achieved.The only damage it did was to cause us to be supicious at every turn of the corner of our fellow humans. When you look at it that way, fear was achieved thru ignorance. Allowing us to turn against each other. It was also a perfect setting for those who coveted their ignorance to be more forthright about it. The same mindset (banding together to overcome) can be found in the victims...scratch that... the survivors of Katrina. In both instances it was the people. The everyday Joe, that banded together to overcome. Yes, much work still needs to be done, but again, I'm speaking about an overall mindset. Both instances actually restored my faith in my fellow mankind. A couple of yrs ago they interviewed the Dali Lama and asked him the same question. His answer was quite simple and full of humor. It made him chuckle. Apparently, he didn't give it any more power either. Many folks (religious and scientific) like to preach the 'losing their heads' theory. However, just as many see 'the question' as evidence of the infinite limitless boundries of the universe and/or God. The latter doesn't get as much 'airplay'. I wonder why.....

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