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Adam Cross

Editor - Newspaper, Swing Vote Chronicle

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If you were the one who made first contact with an alien ambassador, what would you ask and how would you describe the Human race?

Context and normal references would not be effective in communicating with an alien so assume the alien has a translator.

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Topics: Planets aliens culture et first contact humans life society space speech
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    Debra Smith 200+

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    Jul 4 2012: I might ask "do you know something about humanity that we generally do not understand?"
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    Erik Richardson 500+

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    TEDx Organizer
    Jun 16 2012: I think I would ask them that. I would want to know what question THEY would ask of an advanced civilization. That would help me understand a lot about their perspective and any possible similarities between the problems they still work to solve and the ones WE are trying to solve.

    As for how I would describe the human race? That would depend on their answer to the first question, because I could suggest what I think was holding us back from reaching the point where we would ask the same question they would.
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      Adam Cross

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      Jun 18 2012: very good answer, you completely flipped the script and approached the aliens from a very rational perspective. I like it.

  • Greg McEachern

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    Jun 9 2012: If you were the one who made first contact with an alien ambassador, what would you ask and how would you describe the Human race?
    I would ask . . . What threatened your species and how did you resolve it? Does music and art exist in your life? Do religions exist there? What is important to you? Do you find things humorous? Do you believe in 'the Prime Directive' (Star Trek)? Does war and aggression exist there? How do you get the caramel inside a Caramilk? Do you know how to program a VCR? Does this space suit make me look fat? No, but seriously don't I look a little chunky in this?
    The human race . . . Dog is man's best friend. I'm generalizing here. Diamonds are a woman's best friend. Again I'm generalizing, but you can see why we're in trouble. There are three kinds of people in this world . . . those who can count, and those who can't count. We have one supreme leader. He is an accountant. No, I'm serious. Humans can be hypnotized. Then they'll do whatever you tell them to do.

  • Barry Palmer 50+

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    Jun 6 2012: Humans are the result of millions of years of evolution, a process of trial and error, that resulted in billions of species that all survive by relying heavily on genetically based instincts. Humans are exceptional. In humans, a very powerful logic box was stuck on top of these biological instincts, resulting in an amazing variety of behaviors, most of them positive, and some of them self destructive. Humans produce wonders and horrors. Many humans can feel deep empathy for each other, and other humans can treat humans as they treat rocks. Humans could become your best ally or your worst enemy, possibly leading to your destruction. Be very careful when dealing with humans.

    What do you drink?
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    Robert Winner 50+

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    Jun 5 2012: A line from a Clint Eastwood movie comes to mind .... A man must know his limitations ......

    I would not presume to speak for the planet Earth ... Since the alien is an Ambassador diplomats speak in different terms and seek different objectives than the rest of the world it would be good to introduce him to the UN and let the world diplomats speak to the alien diplomat.

    All the best. Bob
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      Debra Smith 200+

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      Jul 4 2012: Well Bob. I would have whipped out my Star Trek inerpreter program or at least tried Google translate!
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        Robert Winner 50+

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        Jul 4 2012: Adam did state that "assume that the alien has a translator." However, I always enjoy hearing from you. Have a big iced TEA on me. LOL.

        All the best. Bob
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          Debra Smith 200+

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          Jul 4 2012: Thanks Bob, now how about sharing a glass of iced tea and watching a great episode of Star Trek where this is old hat already!
          All the best to you too.
          Debra

          PS Bob, do you think liberals gave better imaginations?
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        Robert Winner 50+

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        Jul 4 2012: I will decide after I have seen all imaginations ... gotta be fair. Bob.
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    pat gilbert 50+

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    Jun 5 2012: Neurotic
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      Debra Smith 200+

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      Jul 4 2012: Now Pat use your pleasant words to be heard!n
      No name calling!
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      Debra Smith 200+

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      Jul 4 2012: Now Pat use your pleasant words to be heard
      No name calling!
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      Debra Smith 200+

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      Jul 4 2012: NOW Pat, no name calling and use your pleasant words to be heard.
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        pat gilbert 50+

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        Jul 4 2012: Hmm Doctor, this bird feels the need to repeat herself 3 times in order to be heard, Yes Doctor a classic case of neurosis.
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          Debra Smith 200+

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          Jul 4 2012: Pat, see what haPPENS? It is a slippery slide. You start name calling and suddenly you are convinced that everyone is neurotic. That can;t be good for you Pat. Neither is this glitch in my program good for me!
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        pat gilbert 50+

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        Jul 4 2012: Just because I'm paranoid doesn't mean no one is after me.
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