How would you defend your humanity?

Question

Suppose the Earth was being invaded by aliens from another planet who wanted to destroy us because they thought human beings were unimportant. After some brief interaction they reconsider and will allow us to live if someone can define humanity to them. How would you define what it means to be a human being?

Answer 1

I would tell them that although we seem to be a bunch of war-mongering idiots, we are really good at heart. We are a species still in its infancy. And as such we need time to mature and sort out our problems as all children do. I would suggest they come back in a thousand years to ascertain whether or not we are able to learn from our mistakes and grow accordingly. If not? Then fire when ready Gridley. We deserve it. Then I would say, "Please don't kill us. Oh please oh please oh please. Pretty please. With sugar on top".

Answer 2

I'd show them the Louvre, the Taj Mahal, the New York skyline and the Forbidden City. I'd show them the particle accelarator in CERN, the lunar lander on the Moon, the ISS, the Viking explorers and the Hubble Telescope. I'd show them the nuclear stockpiles in Russia and the US. I'd tell them about Ghandi, Mother Theresa, Hitler, John Lennon and while they're all looking at and listening to all those things, the soldiers of Earth will sneak up and kill them all. That's humanity...

Answer 3

Human beings have a highly developed brain capable of abstract reasonings,language and introspection.This combined with an erect body carriage that frees the upper limbs for manipulating objects has allowed humans to make greater use of tools than any other species.

Humans are by nature social. They are particularly adept at utilizing systems of communications for self expressions, and the exchange of ideas. Social interactions between humans has established a variety of traditions, rituals,ethics, values, and social norms and laws which form the basis of human society.

Humans also have a marked appreciation for beauty and aesthetics which combined with the human desire for self expression has led to cultural innovations such as art, literature, and science. Humans are also noted for their desire to understand and influence the world around them.,seeking to explain natural phenomena thru science, religion, philosophy and mythology. This natural curiosity has led to devlopment of advanced tools and skills.

Humans are the only known species to build fires, cook their foods, clothe themselves, and use other numerous technologies.

Answer 4

What luck, they speak English!!! Or did they have such a high degree of advanced linguistics/communications/ telepathy skills that they could understand our primitive minds? What separates us from the other animals of the planet? Our rational thought of course. But in the aliens' mind, we're just ants in an ant farm, we have no humanity, all we do is for no purpose except ultimate doom and annihilation....rats! We're DOOMED.

Answer 5

In it's currant state as follows: See all the problems over there will they did it, and see all the problems over there will they did it, and do I have a deal for you, if you take all them people and leave my folks alone, than I'm sure god will bless you- definition for currant humanity. For human being other side say the same thing, and it's clear all human beings need improvement.

Answer 6

I would define a human as a comples entity who strives to do good things for others of his/her species and to leave the earth a better place during the tenure of his/her existence

Answer 7

hmmm... I would gather spiritual "humans" from The Dali Lama to the Pope... Sylvia Brown, Gary Zukov, Oprah Winfrey... well . maybe oprah so that she can pay for everyones plane ticket.. but thats it.

Then have all of these minds come together to confuse these alien beings...... hopefully all the confusion of our world will scare them away.....

:) If that doesnt work.... maybe I'd round up the South Central LA project and section 8 dwellers to just intimidate them with our stupidity... hmmmm so many options.

Answer 8

I'd ask them to define humanity. If they can't we have, to live because there's no way of knowing the repercussions of our destruction; and if they can define it they will see some of us have a lot of fun and are "mostly harmless."

Answer 9

I didn't like this question when that Q character posed it on Star Trek: TNG. (Yes, sadly I was a fan.) I'm not convinced we should justify our existence to another life form.

However, if a ray gun is pointed at my head.... I'd say that humanity is a unique event in this universe with great potential to do wonderful things.

(That is if we don't do ourselves in first.)

Answer 10

Humanity is a grey cloth with white parts and dark spots.
We can try to wash ourselves and strive to be pure, but after some days, we will get dirty again. It's our nature.

I would ask them to try to understand that, to relax, and have fun watching us as we strive to be better and try to learn from our mistakes. At least we're trying.