What If Implications of Discovering an Advanced Alien Civilization: How Would Humanity React?

[Uncrowned Guard]

The discovery of an advanced alien civilization would undoubtedly be one of the most groundbreaking events in human history. The implications would be vast, affecting everything from international relations to individual belief systems. This forum topic seeks to foster a robust debate on how such a revelation would impact our lives, both on a macro and micro scale.

Sociopolitical Consequences

On the world stage, the discovery could go one of two ways: it might unify countries in the face of a common 'Other,' or exacerbate geopolitical tensions as nations compete to establish relations or understand the new technology. Questions about sharing information and technology with the alien species would become a contentious issue. Would nations collaborate or go it alone? Furthermore, how would the existence of a more advanced civilization affect global power dynamics and our understanding of 'progress'?

Philosophical and Religious Paradigm Shifts

An advanced alien civilization's existence would likely prompt deep philosophical questions about human purpose, the existence of a higher power, and our place in the universe. Religious doctrines might come under scrutiny or evolve to incorporate this new understanding. Would the majority of people experience a spiritual crisis, or would new belief systems emerge to reconcile with this revelation?

Personal and Societal Changes

Beyond geopolitics and philosophy, the discovery would alter our daily lives in numerous ways. How would education systems adapt to teach about our cosmic neighbors? What would the psychological impacts be as we come to grips with not being the most advanced beings in the universe? Would there be a rush for new academic disciplines, job fields, or markets based on newfound technologies or knowledge?

This topic invites everyone, from experts in various fields to the general public, to debate and explore these complex questions. Whether you think the discovery would lead to a utopia of universal collaboration, a dystopia of increased conflict, or something in between, your insights are valuable. Feel free to bring up additional points or scenarios not covered here.

[Kyng]

Some great questions there !

I think it really depends on how much of a threat to us these aliens are. How far away from Earth do they live; how much more advanced than us are they; and how hostile are they? If they live far enough away, then we can pretty much ignore them (apart from acknowledging their existence) - but if they're on our doorstep, then we'll have to engage with them somehow .

Another question is: is communication with them practical? The most obvious dimension to this question is: do we have some kind of shared language, or can we construct one? But even if we can, there's a further issue: do we communicate and live our lives at the same pace? Their minds could work much faster than ours, at the speed of computers - so they have detailed conversations in a fraction of a second. Or they could communicate much more slowly than us - so, a simple 'Hello' could take them years!

Then there's the question of what kind of rights culture they have? One would hope they'd have developed a firm belief in the rights of aliens. After all, here on Earth, when one civilisation has come into contact with another, the consequences have often been disastrous for one of the two civilisations - and, I imagine the aliens would've gone through the same thing on their planet, and learned the same lessons from their own history.

But if they're much more advanced than us, and hostile towards us... then, how do we defend ourselves? Go the War of the Worlds route, and give them all some disease to which they have no immunity ?

[Uncrowned Guard]

Some great questions there !

I think it really depends on how much of a threat to us these aliens are. How far away from Earth do they live; how much more advanced than us are they; and how hostile are they? If they live far enough away, then we can pretty much ignore them (apart from acknowledging their existence) - but if they're on our doorstep, then we'll have to engage with them somehow .

Another question is: is communication with them practical? The most obvious dimension to this question is: do we have some kind of shared language, or can we construct one? But even if we can, there's a further issue: do we communicate and live our lives at the same pace? Their minds could work much faster than ours, at the speed of computers - so they have detailed conversations in a fraction of a second. Or they could communicate much more slowly than us - so, a simple 'Hello' could take them years!

Then there's the question of what kind of rights culture they have? One would hope they'd have developed a firm belief in the rights of aliens. After all, here on Earth, when one civilisation has come into contact with another, the consequences have often been disastrous for one of the two civilisations - and, I imagine the aliens would've gone through the same thing on their planet, and learned the same lessons from their own history.

But if they're much more advanced than us, and hostile towards us... then, how do we defend ourselves? Go the War of the Worlds route, and give them all some disease to which they have no immunity ?

Ya, I always find it fascinating to think of alien culture.  It is almost impossible to avoid thinking of them like either good or bad humans, but it all reality, they could be a culture with a mindset that is unimaginable to us.

You are certainly correct that the meeting of new cultures/species has not gone over very well in human history, in fact is likely the start of many of the worst acts of humanity.  And sadly, this even extends beyond humans as wildlife introduced to new areas have no issues with driving out and destroying the local ecosystem to suit their needs.  I am a bit hopeful as over time, humans have improved when discovering new cultures and most new tribes and such discovered are deemed to be left alone, I'd hope that aliens may have an approach like that.

Granted, if they don't, I can't imagine humanity standing up to any type of alien invasion.  Just looking at what armies with mere years of advanced tech does to armies that are behind today does not look well for fending off a force centuries ahead of us.  Picturing the US military of today vs ancient Rome is still only a 2000-year difference to get a bit of an idea.