What would be the reaction of mankind if life was discovered elsewhere?

Question

If for instance, tomorrow a alien craft was to land on the lawn of CNNs headquarters, and some obviously much more intelligent beings than mankind would step out?
Would mankind be able to accept this? How would we react knowing for the first time that we are not alone, and also would people be able to accept the fact that they no longer are the top dog in the universe? Would we be able to deal with knowing that there are others right before us for the first time who are much more intelligent than we are?

Answer 1

A lot of people would react positively--or even if afraid, would be reasonable. But a lot would go into hyper-paranoid mode.

Eventually we'll mature socially enough to handle it. If there are aliens out there, they're probably waiting until we at least learn to quit killing each other before they'll bother to make contact.

Answer 2

Probably get everyone talking for a bit. The phone system and internet would jam from all the traffic. It would be the big event, like 911 was, for a week. Then slowly people would adjust to the new reality and they would all get back to their routines in time. Some farmers and hillbillies would get their shotguns and pitchforks, but the authorities would calm them down. People in CA would have a party. Wall St would try to make a buck off of it, and so would all the infomercials. Everyone would react in their own particular way as they always do when there is a crisis. Would probably be more intense this time, but things would settle.

Answer 3

MASS MEDIA CIRCUS! (-: The aliens would be repelled by the paparazzi, and no one would visit our corner of the universe again.

(-: Some folks say that's already happened.

BTW, aliens may be more intelligent overall, but that doesn't necessarily mean that they'd be wise to the ways of our planet Earth. Defeated by measles, or the Mother of all Travel Tummy, or anything could happen, really.

Answer 4

There are always discoveries that upset the world view of some group of people. It would be a blow to people who don't base their beliefs on science.

Some like me would be worried about the unknown. I would be somewhat worried that they might have some desire that wasn't in our best interest. I would also worry about the effect of an alien biology might have on us. Mostly, I would be thrilled at the opportunity to learn from them and the knowledge that we are not alone. I don't beleive we are top dog now, so that part wouldn't bother me.

Answer 5

The hazard for existence is extremely genuine. evaluate the fact that there are one hundred,000 billion stars in our galaxy on my own if only the very smallest % of those stars have planets and then only the smallest % of those have a planet in the "liveable zone" there is the possibility for existence....circumstances that by potential of the style of galaxies and the numbers are innovations-blowing. to illustrate, in the Virgo cluster on my own there are one thousand galaxies. there is likewise a hazard of microbial existence on Titan, Europa and Encelados. Astonomers have already got here across water ice, they only ought to locate the water under it! whilst? 2 a protracted time for this image voltaic gadget... 2 hundred years for this galaxy.... my suitable wager.

Answer 6

It would be traumatic for sure. It might cause social and economic disruption. But I think we are smart enough to get through it. Assuming the aliens intended us no harm that is.

Answer 7

It is like being lower-class people to a new and foreign dictator that has now been ruling. We may or may not like him or her or it, but we must either follow him or her or it, or overthrow him or her or it. If we can't, then we must face the consequences.

Answer 8

Hey, I saw that movie...
"The Day the Earth Stood Still"...right? did I win?

Answer 9

Don't panic, 42

Answer 10

We would probably destroy it. That seems to be human nature when faced with something different.