If extraterrestrial life sent us a message tomorrow, how would humanity respond?
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This assumes that aliens will be friendly do-gooders, your next door neighbors, and best friends.
What if they are not? What if they see us as competition for resources?
What if their message is sent from light years distant, in the form of a naked singularity traveling a 90% light speed and aimed at the sun?
Our message back in the form of a strongly worded letter? A diplomatic plea? Or just bend over and KYA good bye?
“What if they see us as competition for resources?”
You are a hopeless optimist.
What if they see us as food?
It also assumes that humans will be gracious hosts. We are clearly nothing of the sort.