Send them signal with similar information about Earth and Humanity (but not history or age of civilization).
]]>A good question is can you send plans to get to you.
Plans for a space ship or just a map? And what if they just say "Yes."
If they cant then they probably aren't worth talking to.
Don't bother trying to talk to those Earthlings.
Seriously, I think any extraterrestrial civ would be worth talking to. Unless we knew a lot anyway; then we might have to pick and choose, and your rule would work fairly well since those we can visit will probably be the most interesting.
My question:
What do you know?
Seems like that gives us the most bang for our interstellar buck.
I agree. That is a great question to ask them.
Sounds like a good idea. In the spirit of mutual cooperation we could then broadcast all the info we can think of about Earth, ourselves, our history, our ideas and philosophies, and our knowledge of the universe. If we receive a similar database of knowledge, likely a larger one, it will occupy us for centuries.
Two thoughts to apply generally to the idea of communication with extraterrestrials:
1) We should be very specific and perhaps even redundant. Even when we find a way of communicating complex ideas, that is develop a common language or learn each other's, different linguistic conventions could lead to misinterpretation especially where something is not meant literally.
2)Why send one message every 100 or whatever it might be years? Send one every day. After an initial delay we will also be getting one every day. Thus we will sort of have a constant dialogue; that is there will be a constant exchange of information.
]]>My question:
What do you know?
Seems like that gives us the most bang for our interstellar buck.
I agree. That is a great question to ask them.
]]>If they cant then they probably aren't worth talking to.
If they can, then using the technology they provide will answer all other question we might have for them.
I think humanity would do better trying to be friendly whenever possible. Conquering the galaxy isn't what I call a great future for us.Besides, it would be nearly impossible to go it alone like that and attempt to defeat the combined forces of everyone else.
Then if they reply that they are weak (would they even fall for it?), we factor in the evolution of science and cross our fingers that they will be weaker when our invasion fleet arrives.
Suppose they say they're weak as a bluff. Really they are confident they can destroy us when we arrive. A planet that so blatantly declares its militant intentions will not be trusted and may be considered a threat to dangerous to be allowed to survive. Also such a scenario would allow them to conquer us without being the aggressor.
]]>Now, it takes 50 years to send a message, and another 50 years for the ET to send a response (speed of light limit), what would be the one question you would ask (since it would be the only one you get to ask within your lifetime)
Why, the same question I ask everyone that I get e-mail from but am unlikely to hear back from for 50 years:
"What's the address for your web page?" :;):
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