The Evolution of Science Fiction discussion

Imagine we discovered an alien race living not too far away. What things do you think would change with that discovery? Would you guess the aliens would welcome contact? (you might draw from your experience reading sci fi first contact stories)

I think a certain president will claim their natural resources first

I think the aliens will think twice before making contact with us-if at all.
It will take them a while to sort out who won't shoot first and ask questions later.

What a great question. First: I have no idea if they would want contact, yet if we know they exist and they are relatively close, contact will be made. As for our end, the world will change forever, both good and bad.

I guess in the real world, after some frantic activity at the start, nothing much will happen. That's just physics - if no faster-than-light drives and extremely energy costly communication, probably bans on sending "sensitive" info, like how developed is our physics, with probably a similar ban on the opposing side... or a more optimistic version with exchange of info and boost in quality of living caused by new tech

The idea of anthropocentrism in the religious creation. All adamic religions would have to explain why their Almighty god had created another superior species.

Rafael wrote: "The idea of anthropocentrism in the religious creation. All adamic religions would have to explain why their Almighty god had created another superior species."

They are demons to seduce you, seal your ears with wax! :)

Oleksandr wrote: "They are demons to seduce you, seal your ears with wax!..."

I can only imagine the science denial and protest coming from American Christian sects

It would depend a lot on the circumstances of the encounter. Who discovered who? Is the other party aware? One might think the race finding the other would be more advanced, but that's not necessarily so. How do you greet each other, with eagerness or hostility? What is to be gained through the relationship & is it worth the cost and effort to maintain?

Except for its romantic optimism, I think Carl Sagan‘s Contact had it about right. Some of us would demonize aliens while others would develop a cargo cult around them. The aliens, assuming they are about the same technological level as we are, might have the same mixed feelings about us..

I asked AI. Sadly, the responses weren't very funny. None of the AIs I tried even mentioned the effect this would have on porn. (Maybe I should ask for that explicitly.)

Claude Haiku did say one interesting thing: "Hostile contact—or worse, indifference to our existence—could be psychologically devastating, or it could finally unite humanity around a shared cause."

Interesting that it suggests "indifference" would be more disturbing than hostility.

It's worse for our self-esteem to be ignored than to be treated badly. The latter, at least, brings empathy towards the victim; the other, turns the victim a joke.

Considering this religious aspect, certainly, some groups would have to face the idea that "humans were created in the image of God". Some groups would say that this only applies to humans, others would support the idea that it would include the Others. Maybe they would use the same strategy that Cyrus used against the Mesopotamians. Instead of replacing the gods worshipped by the Mesopotamians, he argued that Marduk sent him to restore the cult of Marduk himself. If these Others understand the concepts of politics and religion, they would be wise to use our institutions agains us, if this was their intention.

If we discovered an alien species, does this mean we would simply try to colonize that place like we have done amongst ourselves? What are we doing in space in the first place. I read something about science fiction and how it can help perpetuate the idea of colonization, like Colombus, The Spanish in Central and South America, the colonies here in the US. and other places.
Do we need to rethink what we are doing, the how and the why ?
I have been reading now with a new eye and it has changed my perception of stories and I find myself questioning things in ways I would not have thought about when I was younger.

I think the actual finding of Aliens would change us as other mention. As much as we like to think we are ready for "first contact" I think the human race is not ready at all. Are you prepared? I am not sure that I really am.

The 3 Body Problem (at least the TV series, I have not read the book yet) shows an interesting approach to this idea.

I really appreciate the insights into possible human perspective on aliens. Many of you emphasize it would not be an easy prospect.
I would think caution would be vital. Gathering clues, trying to determine how the aliens feel about us, and the potential benefits and dangers of interaction with them would be important.