If you’re looking for evidence of the politicization of the scientific intelligentsia, you need look no further than the renowned theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking. Either that, or he’s veering dangerously close to a biblical worldview.
From the UK’s Times Online, Don’t talk to aliens, warns Stephen Hawking:
THE aliens are out there and Earth had better watch out, at least according to Stephen Hawking. He has suggested that extraterrestrials are almost certain to exist — but that instead of seeking them out, humanity should be doing all it that can to avoid any contact.
…Hawking believes that contact with such a species could be devastating for humanity.
He suggests that aliens might simply raid Earth for its resources and then move on: “We only have to look at ourselves to see how intelligent life might develop into something we wouldn’t want to meet. I imagine they might exist in massive ships, having used up all the resources from their home planet. Such advanced aliens would perhaps become nomads, looking to conquer and colonise whatever planets they can reach.”
He concludes that trying to make contact with alien races is “a little too risky”. He said: “If aliens ever visit us, I think the outcome would be much as when Christopher Columbus first landed in America, which didn’t turn out very well for the Native Americans.” (emphasis mine)
Poor old Chris Columbus. Even theoretical physicists are clowning on him now. Forget the image of the slimy green, multi-eyed, tentacled beastie of B-movie fame. Now that Political Correctness has conquered the world, Christopher Columbus is a bigger threat any alien Predator, proving that the most dreaded species in the Universe may be white European males.
Of course, Columbus’ “discovery” has led to a nation that has freed more people, improved living conditions for more people, furthered the cause of human rights, and is the single most generous nation on earth. Not to mention that the technology Monsieur Hawking employs was probably developed in a lab by some evil white guy. Oh well.
But it’s that previous point which tickles me even pinker. “We only have to look at ourselves to see how intelligent life might develop into something we wouldn’t want to meet.” If I’m not mistaken, Christians call this human depravity. Even “intelligent life” devolves. No amount of brain power and education can keep us from moral bankruptcy. Bravo, Mr. Hawking, for such salience. The only problem is, if the human species is that bad, how can we trust the reasoning of one of its scientists?
Mike, FYI, I came here from Twitter and the comment box was no where to be seen, plus it said I had to Log In to comment and I was already logged in…
This guy sounds like Stephen Hee-Haw King… I'm sorry pun intended! I have to give Brian Williams of NBC the Oscar for no facial expression when giving this story. Brett Bair was a hoot. He just raised an eyebrow slightly and his expression said so very subtly, 'I can't believe I just read that story to millions of people."
I do not believe there are aliens out there. For one thing, Satan and his minions are tied to this earth. They have access to heaven re: Job; but they can't go anywhere else. For another thing, if there were some cognizant species in Never Never Land, would Jesus have to die on the cross on their planet? It is enough to boggle the mind!
Nations have been killing and claiming land from the dawn of time. Why did he focus on that one particular one (which, by a lot of standards, isn't nearly as atrocious a takeover as other ones)?
Mathematically, hasn't the question of extra-terrestrials already been answered? If the Universe is billions of years old, and intelligent life is possible in an n-1 number of planets within that Universe, isn't the probability of contact from advanced beings multiple times already at 100%?
Should we not have gone deaf from the cacophony of advanced messages or visitations over the lifetime of man?
40 years we've been sending signals out and listening for chatter on purpose. More than 100 we've been sending signals out accidentally. This may sound like an infinitely small effort in the annals of "billennia" but it is, statistically, more than sufficient.
Put it another way: Pretend we had been able to send and receive messages to and from Mars for the past 4000 years instead of the past 50 or so. Would our communications efforts have been any more successful?
Mike, you nailed this one. Bravo.
Oh, and I don't believe the post title needs the colon – it makes perfect sense without it! 😉