# You're camping out in the mountains, far from civilization.... **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 26, 2014, 6:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-camping-out-in-the-mountains-far-from-civilization/687028 "2014-04-26T06:45:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2014, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-camping-out-in-the-mountains-far-from-civilization/687028/21 "2014-04-26T22:02:16Z")
Of course, the whole light and beckoning figures part could be the equivalent of the lures on deep-sea fish… ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2014, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-camping-out-in-the-mountains-far-from-civilization/687028/22 "2014-04-26T22:53:06Z")
> [@terentii](#): > > Yep. We’re not in Kansas anymore, are we? 😉 _ **I am** _, and I’m going to stay that way unless I can be assured I won’t be eaten or probed. Plus, if I had to abandon my dog Nathan I wouldn’t want to go. I love that dog more than I value my curiosity. ---
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2014, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-camping-out-in-the-mountains-far-from-civilization/687028/23 "2014-04-27T00:04:05Z")
An appropriate quote from the Chronicles of Narnia: ``` Make your choice, adventurous Stranger; Strike the bell and bide the danger, Or wonder, till it drives you mad, What would have followed if you had. ``` In other words, it might be dangerous, but I’d kick myself if I didn’t go. ---
**Author:** ![GaryM](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garym/32/241_2.png) [@GaryM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GaryM)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2014, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-camping-out-in-the-mountains-far-from-civilization/687028/24 "2014-04-27T00:05:55Z")
Do they have a book titled “How to Serve Man”? ---
**Author:** ![Hampshire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hampshire/32/4887_2.png) [@Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hampshire)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2014, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-camping-out-in-the-mountains-far-from-civilization/687028/25 "2014-04-28T18:50:55Z")
Do you go? If so turn to page 23. If not turn to page 33. -R.A. Montgomery ---
**Author:** ![snowthx](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowthx/32/10660_2.png) [@snowthx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snowthx)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2014, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-camping-out-in-the-mountains-far-from-civilization/687028/26 "2014-04-28T19:41:10Z")
Depends on the [shape of their head](http://www.onlyinthefuture.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/alien-hands-far-side.jpg). The _seem_ to be smiling an beckoning me, but who knows what they mean. ---
**Author:** ![Urbanredneck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ea5d25/32.png) [@Urbanredneck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Urbanredneck)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2014, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-camping-out-in-the-mountains-far-from-civilization/687028/27 "2014-04-28T19:51:39Z")
I know that down deep my curiosity would make me want to go. But in reality I wouldnt because I dont know what could happen to me? End up dead, brain damaged, scarred for life? I once saw this movie “Fire in the Sky” where this guy was abducted and they found him naked and blabbering on the side of the road with all these weird injuries and it sent him into a mental hospital. Plus the Barney and Betty Hill incident - nothing good came of it. In any case I’d be no use to my family as a provider so I’d guess I’d say no. ---
**Author:** ![AnthonyElite](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b487fb/32.png) [@AnthonyElite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AnthonyElite)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2014, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-camping-out-in-the-mountains-far-from-civilization/687028/28 "2014-04-28T19:54:48Z")
It depends on where I was in my life. Right now? No. I’d make contact, but I wouldn’t leave Earth. I’m nearing the age of having a wife, and kids, and interstellar travel would almost certainly change that. I couldn’t leave my friends and family behind. Right after high school? Sure 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2014, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-camping-out-in-the-mountains-far-from-civilization/687028/29 "2014-04-28T20:06:04Z")
I go. I’d rather be anally probed than go through life trying to convince people I actually saw the aliens. ---
**Author:** ![delsina363](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a6a055/32.png) [@delsina363](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/delsina363)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2014, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-camping-out-in-the-mountains-far-from-civilization/687028/30 "2014-04-28T20:16:48Z")
Oh, hell no!!! I am a big wimp, and do not believe in aliens. Besides, I would never go camping. And if by some chance I was in New Hampshire in a cabin (closest thing to camping you will find me), I would not go. It would be so awesome, yet really spooky, all at once. I would love for someone to prove to me there are other living things out there, but I do not want them coming knocking on my cabin door. :eek: ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2014, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-camping-out-in-the-mountains-far-from-civilization/687028/31 "2014-04-28T20:49:04Z")
> [@mbh](#): > > This thread reminds me of the _Kids in the Hall_ sketch. “We’ve been coming here for 50 years and performing anal probes, and all that we have learned is that one in ten doesn’t really seem to mind.” Hah, that reminds of a cartoon where the aliens are probing a woman who is clearly really, _really_ enjoying herself. One alien is saying to the other “Are you _sure_ that’s the right opening? The other one didn’t make noises like that!” > [@WhyNot](#): > > Any creatures capable of interstellar travel are probably capable of making me come with them whether I walk or not. And…yes, curious. I’d go. That’s my view. The fact that they are bothering to ask is an indication they are likely friendly. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2014, 4:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-camping-out-in-the-mountains-far-from-civilization/687028/32 "2014-04-29T04:01:15Z")
> [@Martian Bigfoot](#): > > Well, there was that one time with the probe, when I woke up two weeks later in a dirty bedroom in Bangkok. But that kind of thing can be fun sometimes. No kidding. ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2014, 4:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-camping-out-in-the-mountains-far-from-civilization/687028/33 "2014-04-29T04:54:15Z")
Do I happen to have a gigantic generator and a huge keyboard with an enormous light display on top of it with me? ---
**Author:** ![danhanegan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/eb9ed0/32.png) [@danhanegan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/danhanegan)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2014, 5:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-camping-out-in-the-mountains-far-from-civilization/687028/34 "2014-04-29T05:58:41Z")
I’d probably either ignore them or laugh myself silly. I’m supposed to believe smiling humanoids are from another planet? Please. Obviously someone who has watched too much Star Trek is pulling a hoax. Now if something that looked like a cross between a slug and a praying mantis approached me, I might become curious. ---
**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2014, 10:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-camping-out-in-the-mountains-far-from-civilization/687028/35 "2014-04-29T10:20:27Z")
> [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](#): > > Is the girl good looking? That’s my criteria. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2014, 10:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-camping-out-in-the-mountains-far-from-civilization/687028/36 "2014-04-29T10:42:29Z")
I would not. This exact scenario turned out poorly for Kaspian in **Kaspian Lost**. ---
**Author:** ![Dorjan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dorjan/32/12440_2.png) [@Dorjan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dorjan)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2014, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-camping-out-in-the-mountains-far-from-civilization/687028/37 "2014-04-29T14:05:09Z")
Given how first contact situations have played out in the past, I might be inclined to shoot em. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![OneCentStamp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/13edae/32.png) [@OneCentStamp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OneCentStamp)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2014, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-camping-out-in-the-mountains-far-from-civilization/687028/38 "2014-04-29T14:31:27Z")
I would punch them and say WELCOME TO EARF. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2014, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-camping-out-in-the-mountains-far-from-civilization/687028/39 "2014-04-29T14:47:44Z")
> [@terentii](#): > > It’s the middle of the night. Suddenly, an alien spacecraft appears and lands nearby. It’s all lit up and pulsating with a deep thrumming sound, just like in the movies. > > A hatch swings open, light floods out, and humanoid aliens walk down a ramp. They head in your direction. > > Face to face, they seem to smile and beckon you wordlessly to join them in their ship. > > Do you go? If so, why? If not, why not? :dubious: I’ve got a six year old son. He may be less important to the people of Earth than these aliens, but he’s more important to **me** than these aliens. IOW, I’m staying. Let 'em take someone who wants to go. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Kobayashi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4af34b/32.png) [@Mr.Kobayashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Kobayashi)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2014, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-camping-out-in-the-mountains-far-from-civilization/687028/40 "2014-04-29T15:14:07Z")
> [@OneCentStamp](#): > > I would punch them and say WELCOME TO EARF. Now that’s what I call a close encounter. I would beckon them over to stay with me, saying _“I have gazed at the unknown places whence thou hast come - from among the clouds, from the mists. And so this.”_ [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-camping-out-in-the-mountains-far-from-civilization/687028.md?page=1)