Are they amonst us?

[Mighty mouse]

It seems to be the basis or crop up in many elements of SF I am fond of from Dark Skies to Men in Black.
I think on balance my answer would be no.
Bacteria and viruses would make most alien contact too dangerous. Just about all contact would initially (and probably for years) be holographic.
Secondly, I think we as a species probably represent something close to the mainstream and therefore are probably noticed long enough to be classified but no more. We are not telepathic, long lived or advanced.

But I can see several reasons it may be. Our level of development is low so we are exploitable on certain levels or in the future.
Perhaps some prefer pre-android cultures.
Perhaps the fact that we are not telepathic is a big plus.
Perhaps our leaders are easily bribed.

[Hawkshaw_245]

Well, the further we are, biologically and genetically, from the ETs, the less likely it is there will be cross-species infection. Disease-carrying organisms evolve to exploit a particular niche in their own ecosystem.

Therfore, it's unlikely there will be any significant risk of disease from aliens.

[Alurny]

Originally Posted by Hawkshaw_245

Well, the further we are, biologically and genetically, from the ETs, the less likely it is there will be cross-species infection. Disease-carrying organisms evolve to exploit a particular niche in their own ecosystem.

Therfore, it's unlikely there will be any significant risk of disease from aliens.

Pretty much what I would have said too. Unless of course the ET's design a virus specifically for us. Then were in trouble

[Admiral Ryouhei]

Originally Posted by Mighty mouse

It seems to be the basis or crop up in many elements of SF I am fond of from Dark Skies to Men in Black.
I think on balance my answer would be no.
Bacteria and viruses would make most alien contact too dangerous. Just about all contact would initially (and probably for years) be holographic.
Secondly, I think we as a species probably represent something close to the mainstream and therefore are probably noticed long enough to be classified but no more. We are not telepathic, long lived or advanced.

But I can see several reasons it may be. Our level of development is low so we are exploitable on certain levels or in the future.
Perhaps some prefer pre-android cultures.
Perhaps the fact that we are not telepathic is a big plus.
Perhaps our leaders are easily bribed.

i like the holographic thing, ever read 'My teacher fried my brain' and its sequel book 'My principal is going to blow up the Earth'

not sure if the names are exact, but all the aliens in our galaxy are part of a galactic sort of U.N. the whole plot revolves around a young teenager having to talk the aliens out of blowing up Earth because they are afraid humanity will never get past the selfish/agressive phase they have been in since the genus first appeared or something like that.

so really, we should be asking, will our individualism and every-man-for-himself attitude be our downfall, either directly because of nuclear war, or indirectly from aliens exterminating a dangerous threat to the galactic peace?

[ClintonHammond]

"I think we as a species probably represent something close to the mainstream"

Based on what?

[steve12553]

Originally Posted by ClintonHammond

"I think we as a species probably represent something close to the mainstream"

Based on what?

Obviously based on all the available data. As a matter of fact, based on the available data, we are the only stream. On the other hand, once First Contact either comes or is revealed, we should know a whole lot more. We can speculate that we are a pretty mainstream species based on our ability to survive, so far, in the universe and our ability to adapt but we could be way behind other species that we're not aware of. And yes, if they are more capable of adapting, they may also have to ability to change appearance at will and be amoung us right now. Humanities greatest sin may be the belief that they know what goes on around them.

[Mighty mouse]

Well, the further we are, biologically and genetically, from the ETs, the less likely it is there will be cross-species infection. Disease-carrying organisms evolve to exploit a particular niche in their own ecosystem.

Therfore, it's unlikely there will be any significant risk of disease from aliens.

"I think we as a species probably represent something close to the mainstream"

Based on what?

Yes, I guess I am working on the assumption that we are the norm (until we meet another dominant intelligent species that is a defensible position, though perhaps a little egotistical!).

That assumption also relates to the disease-carrying organisms statement in that your assumption is that galactic species will differ enough to insulate the dangers, I think perhaps not. Would it not, say, be a evolutionary trait for intergalactic micro organisms to be able to infect the widest variety of hosts? Nor can we assume that alien mutation is not much more rapid.

so really, we should be asking, will our individualism and every-man-for-himself attitude be our downfall, either directly because of nuclear war, or indirectly from aliens exterminating a dangerous threat to the galactic peace?

Agreed but I think the likely consquence is not annihilation rather isolation or most likely a slot on an intergalactic comedy show!