We will not know what another rational species is like until we encounter one and, so far, they have been conspicuous by their absence on Earth, in the Solar System and as far as we can see beyond that. I know that the universe is a big place but maybe it is such a big place that the nearest technological civilization is several galaxies away and not even contemporary with ours. I am certain that, if and when we do make First Contact, then the Others will not be remotely like what anyone has ever imagined. (Although, of course, I could be wrong even about that.)
"'I agree with those who hold that star-exploring civilizations must be peaceful because otherwise they would have destroyed themselves before reaching the required level of technology.'" (II, p. 19)
Well, it depends what level of technology is required, doesn't it? But, more generally, I agree with a point that I first read somewhere in Arthur C. Clarke's non-fictional works. Any species that has had a very high level of technology for a very long time must have ceased to conduct intra-species conflicts because otherwise it would surely have destroyed itself before now? Can nuclear weapons continue to be manufactured and stockpiled indefinitely without ever being used? Have we just been lucky all this time? (Larry Niven's Pierson's Puppeteers think so.) How long before terrorists get nukes? What news might we wake up to tomorrow morning? As part of the same argument, indeed even more obviously, the high tech species must have prevented its technology from destroying its environment.
The speaker goes on to say that the extra-solars cannot have any motive to attack Earth. Again, I tend to agree but we cannot be certain and would have to be prepared for anything.
1 comment:
Kaor, Paul!
While I agree some non-human races are very likely not comparable to anything we've imagined, I still believe others will fit recognizable patterns.
Like you I don't necessarily believe star faring civilizations "have" to be peaceful. Some are equally likely to be as warlike as humans. And that caveat applies to what Arthur C. Clarke said.
As for nuclear weapons, remember what Stirling said about the Peace of the Mushroom Cloud. I do agree nukes falling into the hands of fanatical terrorists is a risk.
Well, I can imagine non-humans exiled from their home world deciding Earth is worth trying to conquer, as in FOOTFALL, by Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle.
Ad astra! Sean
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