Hawking: Contacting Aliens Is Dangerous

(CBS/AP)  If E.T. phones, hang up.

That's the implication from British astrophysicist Stephen Hawking, who said that while extraterrestrial life almost certainly exists, it could be dangerous for humans to interact with them.

In a new documentary for British television, Hawking warns that communicating with intelligent alien lifeforms could be "too risky."

He speculates most extraterrestrial life will be similar to microbes, or small animals - but adds that advanced lifeforms may be "nomads, looking to conquer and colonize."

The 68-year-old scientist said a visit by extraterrestrials to Earth would be like Christopher Columbus arriving in the Americas, "which didn't turn out very well for the Native Americans."

The Discovery Channel said Sunday it will broadcast "Stephen Hawking's Universe" in Britain next month.

[kiddykiller]

@ the God people whom are saying that god only made man shut up OK Ive read the ENTIRE bible nowhere does it say god only made man and don't you dare say that that is proof that he didn't because lack of proof you the entire defense of your choose religion

now for what i was going to say
i highly doubt that any aliens that can traverse the universe in realistic time i.e. less than a 2 years star to star really need earths resources they probably hardly notice our existence. besides if they're hostile whats it matter? what are we going to do fight a race thousands of years more advanced?

[jjg777]

I would like to propose an alternate proposal to that of steven Hawkings.

God made man and the universe. There are not any sentient forms of life in the universe except on earth. It is Gods intent that MAN will fill the entire universe with our kind. We will someday (probably after the return of the Lord Jesus) go into space and travel to distant planets and we will colonize these planets and man will become the seed for filling the entire universe which will take and eternity.

This means that we will learn to travel at some significant percentage of the speed of light. Probably, animals and man will continue to reach further and further into the cosmos.

This is the model that God used to fill the earth and it will be the model he will use to fill the UNIVERSE. GLORY TO GOD!!!

[FauxNews]

Duh, that's a no brainer; we can't even cross the Mexican border without being shot by our own species on our own planet.

[schoonerby]

Does Hawkings use medical marijuana? People watch too much science fiction without parental discretion. This first contact rubish is beginning to sound like the war on cancer the war on drugs & the eco friendly power movement. What would advanced aliens want with us anyway? our fine cuisine? are they running out of humanoids to eat? do they want to trade wampum for laser pistols for kicks? Are they looking for oil too? or are they just fans of our fab pop culture? I think Hawkings and these science guys have some balls trying to scare the crap out of everybody with science fiction theories I mean if your.

[toldyouso21]

The 68-year-old scientist said a visit by extraterrestrials to Earth would be like Christopher Columbus arriving in the Americas, "which didn't turn out very well for the Native Americans."


No..it did not turn out well for the Native Americans--which should come as no surprise that while others celebrate Thanksgiving and reenact the virtues of Pocohantas and Squanto--many Native Americans revile that holiday and think of Pocohantas and Squanto as traitors--after all--the loyalty of those two were not to their own kind it was to the invaders--who eventually decimated the local populations.

[FauxNews]

More than decimated (look up the definition). They wiped them out like the Indians wiped out the cavemen.

[rf35]

Of course it is possible that an advanced alien race would be hostile. However, I find it more likely that if a race survived long enough to develop the capability of interstellar travel, then they probably did so because they no longer wage wars. I would think they are more likely explorers with peaceful intentions who just want to satisfy their curiosity about what other life exists in the universe. I also doubt we are worthy of much attention, let alone contact. Too primitive. We may be good for an occasional laugh by the less mature ones (alien equivalent of "cow tipping") but hardly worth the effort and risk of contact. Opinions like Dr. Hawking's may be why aliens would be unlikely to contact us even if we did warrant their attention...THEY might fear OUR reaction.

[smartasss1]

Extra-terrestrial scientists basis for argument operates on the premise that "any alien life that can travel billions of lightyears would be very advanced that it's inconsistent that they would be hostile". Those who would be hostile are unevolved would not have the technology to reach earth.

The flaw with this premise is that it's based on our culture and our earthly interpretation of things. It is a vast universe out there, possibly a tremendous diversity of life with different system of values.

I see Hawking's point. We don't know everything. We should think and look before we leap.

[nordeck52]

Way to jump on the bandwagon, CBS. I first saw this story on Saturday on other news sites!

[jankebenzone]

Many posters here believe in aliens and express concern that they may harm us.

That coincides with the many posters who admit using pot or other drugs .
And yet the atheists say we christians believe in myth and fairy tales.

How foolish are those who deny God but acknowledge space beings? Very, obviously!

[smartasss1]

Yeah you are absolutely correct! How can aliens exists if we haven't seen any. Scientists said that there are 70 sextillion star out there, but I don't believe in life outside our planet because the church says so.

The Sun revolves around the earth and we are the center of the universe. The concept of evolution is heretic, God planted dinosaur bones to test our faith. We should torture our scientist until they confess to there sins. Do not question our faith and we should trust our catholic priest with our children. Amen.

[jankebenzone]

by JustYourAverageReader April 26, 2010 6:44 PM EDT
jankebenzone , "Either you are not telling the truth, or the persons you knew were not real christians." That sure walks and talks like judgement.

jankebenzone , "What judgements? Not accepted by who?
And just who are you?? Supreme judge?, final judge? master of all? jankebenzone , " Above are just more judgements in the form of questions. I will still entertain them. I am an individaul just like every other human. I also have rights. Those rights include challenging/questionning. If you do not like being challenged or questioned, then perhaps you should back away from the keyboard. This is my final response to your christian-driven drivel.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In other words you're just rambling away,with no answers and no idea. So typical of many posters who deny the Almighty.

[Uncle_Eccoli]

@jankebenzone

You are small and afraid. I pity you.

[ladyraestewa]

You know, I believe in a higher being as an idea or a principle. For those of you telling us we deny the "Almighty" or talk about what we don't hear -- how about this, if God exists and talks to you, he can certainly sit down and talk with me too. Until the day I'm experiencing that, he didn't talk to anyone and his "word" is that of the writer of the various religious publications.

[Overruled1]

Stephan Hawking is one of the greatest minds our history has ever recorded.
His warning is fair, but isn't it worth the risk since many believe the advanced aliens already know all about us but are waiting for our departure into the great manifest destiny of all humans?

[warsux]

They dont have to wait long.

[smartasss1]

Maybe, to interfear with our evolution would be harmful. Other intelligent life will not contact us because we haven't reach that stage in our evolution. Very Star Trek.

I see this point. Intervention and bad influence. Hence, the country of Liberia.