What would happen if we got into contact with an alien civilization?

[Tarifa]

We’ve been sending messages out into the universe since 1962. The message from the Ukrainian Evpatoria Planetary Radar was the first radio communication consciously beamed into space. Surely, our blue planet with its satellite based communications wouldn’t go unnoticed. If space travel wasn’t an issue and we got into contact with an alien civilization, what do you think would happen? More to the point, what would the alien civilization think of us?

1. Both civilizations, earth and alien, would want to get into contact with each other, although physical contact would depend on the proximity and on technical limitations like space travel.

2. The alien civilization would see us as a belligerent, hostile and aggressive planet. Our history is full of internal wars over resources, religious aspects or personal greed of one particular individual. They could just decide not to mess with us and turn their back on us.

3. They would probably have checked us out already. They could have analysed our planet and decide to take any resources that could be of interest to them: water, oxygen, precious metals… thus posing a threat to our survival.

4. They could see us as a possible threat and decide to just blast us out of space. Better be safe than sorry. If we suppose any threat to them, they could just decide not to take any chances. The eternal tale of the hunter and the hunted: eliminate possible threats to increase your chances of survival.

[JSkye]

I enjoy all the thought you put into answering your own question. I agree with pretty much all of that.

I guess it would depend entirely on the aliens themselves though and what sorts of beings they are? That's the real variable here: are they benign, conquerors, or see us as a threat/annoyance? I feel like there are too many variables in the potential natures of other beings out there to truly answer this question with any sort of authority.

[Tarifa]

You are right, aliens being 'benign' or 'conquerors' is a factor that would determine their reaction to a great extent. But I think that both civilizations would be excited at first and probably nervous and cautious as we evolve from the initial stages to a possible real encounter.

[purplepoppy]

They would observe us from a safe distance first and decide we're too aggressive and hatefilled to risk contact with. Only aliens looking to conquer would bother coming here.