Let's explore this age-old sci-fi theme today. Is this a whimsical question with no practical implication? I think not...
The size of the observable universe is truly mind-blowing..93 billion light years in diameter. Let's think about this number first - it means from one end to another, it takes 93 billion years for light to travel across..
93 billion years..but wait the Big Bang is estimated to have happened 13 billion years ago - due to inflation of space the universe is expanding faster than the speed of light (and it's now well accepted that the Big Bang may not have been the true beginning either).
This is just the observable universe, there's definitely much more than that..and the multiverse theory that's gaining popularity..multiple dimensions, and other mind bending theories..
In this stupendously large space, there are possibly 2 trillion galaxies..each with hundreds of billions of stars..many with planets and possibly some that could have hosted or are hosting life.
No matter how we crunch the numbers, the possibility there is life out of Earth is high..and quite possibly advanced intelligent life.
What if we aren't alone?
Now by not alone, I'm referring to intelligent life with human or greater intelligence & wisdom.
This is both incredible and scary.
Scary Aliens?
Let's start with why aliens could be scary. Based on what we observe in human beings, the explorers had a tendency to want to capture territories, exploit the people and resources for personal gains and had a sense of superiority. All of these traits resulted in suffering for many generations that continue till this day. Beings with these human traits with far more advanced technology can wreak havoc on Earth and up-end life as we know it. Catastrophic consequences for us.
But these are also the traits of a lower type of mind. It is a bit sad if an advanced form of intelligence hasn't grown in wisdom to discover the joy of kindness, benevolence and transcendence.
Also the utility of exploiting Earth for resources and labour is questionable - there are vast reservoirs of precious minerals all over the solar system, in asteroids etc. We are already seeing that AI and robots are much better and cheaper for labour (manual/ repetitive work at least) compared to humans.
If we were to go find intelligent aliens in their home planets it is likely we may find aliens of a lower mind (as visiting aliens will find us to be here..), but I don't see a compelling reason for visiting aliens to be nefarious (not counting the Alien vs Predator scenario).
So my view is that a catastrophic alien invasion outcome is unlikely.
Benevolent Aliens?
The positive side - many explorers from ancient times and travellers of today have a more benevolent reason to travel. To spread a message of hope, to learn from different cultures, to spread knowledge and wisdom.
These travellers are gentle, observant, often non-interfering and mingle selectively.
Beings who are benevolent in nature with advanced knowledge and technology can be a source of creativity, advancement, hope and more.
My view is that it is more likely that aliens visiting Earth possess this nature. It is very likely aliens of this type have been visiting us for a long time and are already among us.
In fact one of them (or more) may read my article (hi there!).
But are we humans good hosts? If I were an alien I would tread very cautiously on Earth. Yes there are many of us who possess noble traits, who would be welcoming, but we humans as a race have yet to outgrow our self centred tendencies.
As numerous sci-fi movies have shown, we are likely to respond to advanced aliens in a negative manner out of fear and greed.
Message to my dear Alien reader
Thank you so much for spending your precious time with me reading my piece!
If you have come this far, you must know a lot about Earth, humans etc (perhaps more than me and many of us).
Please help us... You need not make your presence known, I don't think we are ready for that, and it may not be safe for you to do so.
But there are many reasons we humans are worried about our future here.
Despite the efforts of our ancients (and moderns), we humans continue to hurt each other and have difficulty seeing each other as one. This is leading to continued suffering at many levels.
We need to find a better way to live in harmony with our planet, to take care of it for the other species we share it with, to ensure a good place for our future generations.
We are dazzled with the latest shiny things, but continue to falter in basic fundamental qualities and needs.
Please help us (without revealing yourselves), and do your best to guide us on the right path.
Ultimately we are one - both from a scientific and spiritual standpoint. There is no "alien", there is no "human", truly speaking. My sincere hope is more of us see that soon.
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