See Interstellar Communication.
Van Rijn:
"'...we can use the standard means to establish alimentary communications...no, terror and taxes, I mean rudimentary...'" (p. 603)
He means "elementary." As I thought, Technic civilization has standard means to establish basic communication with newly encountered intelligent species. Standard means might succeed either quickly or slowly and, in the latter case, new techniques will be learned. It has to be done quickly in this case but, as soon as the Eksers realize, with the help of pictures, that these human beings, unlike the Addercops, are not hostile and need help for which they can pay, there are no further barriers.
3 comments:
Kaor, Paul!
That use of "alimentary" by Old Nick was amusing!
Yes, I would expect varied factors to speed up or slow down efforts at opening communications between mutually alien races. Best, of course, would be when neither species felt urgently pressed to learn and make risky decisions in a hurry.
Ad astra! Sean
Though rudimentary and elementary are close in meaning.
Kaor, Mr. Stirling!
"It's elementary, Watson," Holmes said.
Sorry! (Smiles)
Ad astra! Sean
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