[John S Mosby]

So, in that regard... assuming these greater intelligence aliens have studied us and this predilection for stupidity and self destruction, perhaps they just "check in" every now and then to see if we've done ourselves in.

I tend to like "The Day the Earth Stood Still" , only in the abstract though, because Sagan-like, they assume that Klaatu's species is benign, though powerful. Sort of like world socialism, benign and overwhelming.

[adorno]

So, in that regard... assuming these greater intelligence aliens have studied us and this predilection for stupidity and self destruction, perhaps they just "check in" every now and then to see if we've done ourselves in.

You're not far from the truth.

The truth is that, humanity has not really advanced. Oh, yeah, we have advanced technologically, and knowledge-wise, but, we haven't advanced socially or governmentally or economically. We continue repeating the same mistakes of the past, which prevents us from moving forward and making the world a better place in which to live, socially and economically. Technology only allows us to destroy ourselves a lot faster, while we continue to pretend that, we are "progressing".