# An actual extraterrestrial space craft lands on DC. What happens next? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 12, 2018, 4:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-actual-extraterrestrial-space-craft-lands-on-dc-what-happens-next/817763 "2018-07-12T04:21:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![ZonexandScout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zonexandscout/32/544_2.png) [@ZonexandScout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZonexandScout)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2018, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-actual-extraterrestrial-space-craft-lands-on-dc-what-happens-next/817763/21 "2018-07-12T14:52:22Z")
An intriguing thread, but I’m going to toss in a POV that differs from the usual. What reasons do we have to believe that a technologically-advanced civilization that has developed interstellar travel would have any better offensive or defensive capabilities than we do? Why do we automatically think, "“Uh-oh. They could destroy us all without lifting a finger or breaking a sweat!” Let’s say that we figured out how to create and utilize wormholes next year and that we send an exploratory vessel through to some planet with intelligent life. The craft would probably have virtually no defensive capabilities and our offensive capabilities would be typical for this era: propellant-based projectile systems and explosives. I don’t see any reason to believe it unlikely that some nut would take a shot at an alien spacecraft using a hunting rifle and put it out of commission with a couple .308 rounds. Being advanced in one specific technology does not mean being advanced in EVERY technology. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2018, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-actual-extraterrestrial-space-craft-lands-on-dc-what-happens-next/817763/22 "2018-07-12T14:55:44Z")
> [@ZonexandScout](#): > > An intriguing thread, but I’m going to toss in a POV that differs from the usual. What reasons do we have to believe that a technologically-advanced civilization that has developed interstellar travel would have any better offensive or defensive capabilities than we do? And why would such an advanced civilization bother coming _here_? ---
**Author:** ![Delicious](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/dbc845/32.png) [@Delicious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Delicious)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2018, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-actual-extraterrestrial-space-craft-lands-on-dc-what-happens-next/817763/23 "2018-07-12T15:14:06Z")
They might be really bad cooks and saw an advert for kfc ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2018, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-actual-extraterrestrial-space-craft-lands-on-dc-what-happens-next/817763/24 "2018-07-12T16:38:21Z")
We will have alien overlords. Any race sufficiently advanced to travel between stars is going to have weapons that humans would not be prepared for. ---
**Author:** ![Steve\_MB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steve_mb/32/5339_2.png) [@Steve\_MB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steve_MB)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2018, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-actual-extraterrestrial-space-craft-lands-on-dc-what-happens-next/817763/25 "2018-07-12T16:40:15Z")
> [@ZonexandScout](#): > > Why do we automatically think, "“Uh-oh. They could destroy us all without lifting a finger or breaking a sweat!” Because if they’re in space, it’s trivially easy for them to drop rocks on us even if they don’t have anything designed as “weapons”. Next question? ---
**Author:** ![ohiomstr2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/82dd89/32.png) [@ohiomstr2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ohiomstr2)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2018, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-actual-extraterrestrial-space-craft-lands-on-dc-what-happens-next/817763/26 "2018-07-12T16:57:24Z")
This actually got more traction than I thought it would. Let me clarify. This hypothetical craft land _in_ (pick a city, but for argument sake say somewhere in westen Europe)). There is no obvious commication and since we are still around the craft has not attacked or shown hostile intent. What would the immediate response be from government, the military, media and so on. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2018, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-actual-extraterrestrial-space-craft-lands-on-dc-what-happens-next/817763/27 "2018-07-12T17:26:53Z")
> [@ohiomstr2](#): > > What would the immediate response be from government, the military, media and so on. Government would try to communicate with the ship. Illustrate the Pythagorean triangle. Demonstrate base 10 and prime numbers. Wait for smoke to come out the back. ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2018, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-actual-extraterrestrial-space-craft-lands-on-dc-what-happens-next/817763/28 "2018-07-12T17:27:56Z")
> [@Delicious](#): > > They might be really bad cooks and saw an advert for kfc _Would they pile into the saucer Find Orlando’s rat and hug it? Go screaming through the universe Just to get McNuggets?_ Don Henley - _They’re Not Here, They’re Not Coming_ ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2018, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-actual-extraterrestrial-space-craft-lands-on-dc-what-happens-next/817763/29 "2018-07-12T17:41:33Z")
> [@ohiomstr2](#): > > This actually got more traction than I thought it would. > > Let me clarify. > > This hypothetical craft land _in_ (pick a city, but for argument sake say somewhere in westen Europe)). There is no obvious commication and since we are still around the craft has not attacked or shown hostile intent. > > What would the immediate response be from government, the military, media and so on. Probably immediately evacuate the city, have the military cordon off the site and the spacecraft, surround it with all kinds of weapons pointed at it, get a few special-forces and scientist type people to approach the spacecraft, probably all donning hazmat suits. ---
**Author:** ![spifflog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c5a1d2/32.png) [@spifflog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spifflog)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2018, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-actual-extraterrestrial-space-craft-lands-on-dc-what-happens-next/817763/30 "2018-07-12T17:43:32Z")
> [@ZonexandScout](#): > > An intriguing thread, but I’m going to toss in a POV that differs from the usual. What reasons do we have to believe that a technologically-advanced civilization that has developed interstellar travel would have any better offensive or defensive capabilities than we do? Why do we automatically think, "“Uh-oh. They could destroy us all without lifting a finger or breaking a sweat!” How many years do you think we are away from traveling to another planet that has intelligent life? We know that it’s not in this solar system. Round numbers. 500 years? A thousand? In all that time do you think we’ll have better weaponry than we do now, or do you think it will be about the same? ---
**Author:** ![Delicious](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/dbc845/32.png) [@Delicious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Delicious)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2018, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-actual-extraterrestrial-space-craft-lands-on-dc-what-happens-next/817763/31 "2018-07-12T17:46:37Z")
I can find a rusty chain in any city, we’ll be fine ---
**Author:** ![simster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/simster/32/1047_2.png) [@simster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simster)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2018, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-actual-extraterrestrial-space-craft-lands-on-dc-what-happens-next/817763/32 "2018-07-12T18:00:20Z")
> [@Delicious](#): > > We needn’t be at their mercy, just lure them out of the spaceship with a wonderfully choreographed dance of peace then, while they’re honking in delight, some dudes can wail on them from behind with a rusty chain. just DONT RELEASE THE DOVES! ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2018, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-actual-extraterrestrial-space-craft-lands-on-dc-what-happens-next/817763/33 "2018-07-12T19:53:17Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > The chances of this are essentially zero - it’s like worrying that humans will die from Dutch Elm Disease. No microbes on either side are going to notice. We don’t even know if they are carbon-based or have DNA. I lack confidence in your confidence. Say for example the aliens unintentionally bring a microbe who just loves nitrogen and it quickly discovers that the concentration of nitrogen in our atmosphere is three or four times that of its native environment. Immediately, it begins multiplying very rapidly and consuming or altering the nitrogen in our atmosphere with serious negative effects for life on Earth. It doesn’t have to be a germ that infects us, it just has to be a life form that runs hogwild in our environment and has no natural predators, starving us out. I think rabbits in Australia is a significant and relevant example. ---
**Author:** ![dorvann](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/df705f/32.png) [@dorvann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dorvann)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2018, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-actual-extraterrestrial-space-craft-lands-on-dc-what-happens-next/817763/34 "2018-07-12T20:23:16Z")
I am inclined to think if they were actually landing a spacecraft to meet with us then their intent is probably peaceful. I mean if they were going to attack us, why would they bother with a meeting? They would probably just attack us outright instead trying to arrange a meeting. That being said if an honest-by-god extraterrestrial spacecraft appeared in Earth orbit, I think it would trigger a massive panic, resulting in a huge stock market crash and probably people starting to hoard food and other supplies due to people anticipating an alien invasion. ---
**Author:** ![coffeecat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/coffeecat/32/3405_2.png) [@coffeecat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/coffeecat)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2018, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-actual-extraterrestrial-space-craft-lands-on-dc-what-happens-next/817763/35 "2018-07-12T20:33:49Z")
Since we don’t even have diplomatic relations with the planet Bzztfp, wouldn’t they be _illegal_ aliens? ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2018, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-actual-extraterrestrial-space-craft-lands-on-dc-what-happens-next/817763/36 "2018-07-12T20:34:32Z")
> [@Bryan\_Ekers](#): > > I lack confidence in your confidence. Say for example the aliens unintentionally bring a microbe who just loves nitrogen and it quickly discovers that the concentration of nitrogen in our atmosphere is three or four times that of its native environment. Immediately, it begins multiplying very rapidly and consuming or altering the nitrogen in our atmosphere with serious negative effects for life on Earth. It doesn’t have to be a germ that infects us, it just has to be a life form that runs hogwild in our environment and has no natural predators, starving us out. I think rabbits in Australia is a significant and relevant example. This assumes that the microbes in question are pretty much the same, metabolically, as earth-based microbes. That is highly unlikely. Nothing can live on pure nitrogen - they have to combine it with the other elements, such as (on earth) carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. The notion that they can live in an atmosphere that is three times higher in nitrogen and have no other adaptations is unlikely in the extreme. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2018, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-actual-extraterrestrial-space-craft-lands-on-dc-what-happens-next/817763/37 "2018-07-12T20:37:26Z")
I read that Trump made a CD of “Rocket Man” for Kim Jong Un–he could dupe a copy for the alien. ---
**Author:** ![drachillix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/48db29/32.png) [@drachillix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drachillix)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2018, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-actual-extraterrestrial-space-craft-lands-on-dc-what-happens-next/817763/38 "2018-07-12T21:04:26Z")
[![](http://s3files.core77.com/blog/images/Independence%20Day.jpg) ](http://s3files.core77.com/blog/images/Independence%20Day.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Typo\_Negative](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/typo_negative/32/484_2.png) [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2018, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-actual-extraterrestrial-space-craft-lands-on-dc-what-happens-next/817763/39 "2018-07-12T21:06:17Z")
If they’re black, they get shot. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2018, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-actual-extraterrestrial-space-craft-lands-on-dc-what-happens-next/817763/40 "2018-07-12T21:07:45Z")
> [@ohiomstr2](#): > > say somewhere in westen Europe… > > What would the immediate response be from government, the military, media and so on. Western Europe, you say? They’d surrender. 😉 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-actual-extraterrestrial-space-craft-lands-on-dc-what-happens-next/817763.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-actual-extraterrestrial-space-craft-lands-on-dc-what-happens-next/817763.md?page=3)