Monday, October 29, 2007

What Would ET Do?

One of the most annoying phrases I hear from Christians comes when they ask the question, in response to some dilemna (whether it's a biggie, like whether or not to go to war, or a small one, like whether or not to buy Captain Crunch or Fruit Loops):

What would Jesus do?

My answer is usually, "what a stupid question to ask".

However, in my current friendly "blog-war" with Mac Tonnies re: alien contact, I'll ask the same question, in a slightly different way, with regard to whether or not humanity is ready for knowledge of ET's presence.

In other words: what would ET do?

Let's assume for the moment that ET exists. Let's further assume that ET is here, and has been for some time. Finally, let's assume that ET is more or less benevolent (and if they weren't, I probably wouldn't be writing this). That's a lot of assumptions (all of which remain unproven to me, but as I said, "let's assume), but they're ones made by the supporters of the ETH as the ETFact, and those who advocate the government come "clean" about ET's presence on Earth.

Given those assumptions, and given the state of affairs vis-a-vis ET (i.e. no public revelation), one can but assume that ET agrees with me. In other words, by not yet revealing themselves publicly for all of the world to see, ET has indicated that, in their view, we're not ready for contact.

Perhaps they have some version of Star Trek's "Prime Directive". Who knows?

What I do know is that they show more common sense, and understanding of the state of affairs on Earth, than the "disclosure" advocates.

Besides, if ET is smart enough to get here, and wise enough that people are willing to pin their hopes for a better future on contact with them, who are we to argue with them when it comes to the question of when that contact should take place?

In other words, if ET is out there, we'll meet them on their terms, when they figure we're ready to do so, and not a moment sooner.

Good for them.

Paul Kimball

7 comments:

Mac said...

There was actually a study in "Nature" about how we might reasonably expect a visiting ET civilization to essentially leave us alone while monitoring us. You've already identified the reason in mentioning the Aztecs: the more technologically robust culture inevitably destabilizes or consumes the smaller.

Of course, this is supposing that the aliens consider us worth preserving, if only to let us develop into something they might be able to communicate with later on.

Mac said...

And since when is Cap'n Crunch vs. Froot Loops a "small" question?

Paul Kimball said...

Of course, this is supposing that the aliens consider us worth preserving, if only to let us develop into something they might be able to communicate with later on.

We can always hope. In the meantime, best to get on with solving our own problems ourselves.

PK

Paul Kimball said...

And since when is Cap'n Crunch vs. Froot Loops a "small" question?

Good point. I apologize. I've often asked for the Good Lord's assistance when trying to answer that one.

It gets really tricky when you throw Count Chocula into the mix!

Paul

Mac said...

What would Jesus do?

My answer is usually, "what a stupid question to ask".


For your own safety, I wouldn't voice that opinion in Independence, MO! :-)

Greg Bishop said...

I am increasingly of the opinion that the ufonauts have nothing to do with outer space, and may be a form of intelligence that pokes into our reality from somewhere else. This "intelligence" may not even be self aware until it encounters our reality space and our mindsets--kind of like an uber-god creating people in order to experience the "physical."

Sounds like I have another column at ufomystic to work on!

Unknown said...

For once, I agree with your post :)

It does make a whole lot of sense. They will choose when it's time. Or maybe something happening to this planet will precipitate the event.