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weasel · Dec 14, 2007, 07:02 pm

The WNYC Radio Lab podcast has an excellent episode in which they ask people what they would put in the voyager space capsule. People's answer's ranged from Beethoven to full-length movies. So, if you had the opportunity to potentially introduce the human race to an alien species, what would you share with them?

Personally, I'd pick music (the collective works of Bach, Beethoven, Vivaldi, The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Anathallo, and Sufjan Stevens). I think music captures humanities' zeal for creativity, expression, and harmony (or lack thereof). The summation of our species, therefore, can largely be expressed through our music.

Your comments are appreciated.

Athena · Dec 14, 2007, 09:55 pm

How about computer disk encyclopedias. A regular encyclopedia and one of philosophy and one of politics.

SoylentGreen · Dec 14, 2007, 11:54 pm

Comic books, We shouldn't make it to easy for them to figure out humanity.

Zeebadee · Dec 15, 2007, 03:33 am

I'd put in a fully fueled and loaded 757. When it was gone, I could then crash a drone into the pentagon and no one would ever be the wiser.

Jedi31293 · Dec 24, 2007, 11:05 pm

Quote:

Quote by: weasel

So, if you had the opportunity to potentially introduce the human race to an alien species, what would you share with them?

I would send them pictures of our greatest achievements, and pictures of our worst wars. This would show them both sides of the human race - good and evil.

weasel · Dec 26, 2007, 05:07 pm

I didn't think of that but it sounds like it would be the honest thing to do: just showing our achievements and not our failures would be an attempt to deceive ourselves and the "aliens."

Dec 14, 2007, 07:02 pm	#1 (permalink) (top)
weasel Marksman Location: "A place that cannot be found except by those who already know where it is." Posts: 199	Your "Space Capsule" The WNYC Radio Lab podcast has an excellent episode in which they ask people what they would put in the voyager space capsule. People's answer's ranged from Beethoven to full-length movies. So, if you had the opportunity to potentially introduce the human race to an alien species, what would you share with them? Personally, I'd pick music (the collective works of Bach, Beethoven, Vivaldi, The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Anathallo, and Sufjan Stevens). I think music captures humanities' zeal for creativity, expression, and harmony (or lack thereof). The summation of our species, therefore, can largely be expressed through our music. Your comments are appreciated. "Rage, rage against the dying of the light." -Dylan Thomas

Dec 14, 2007, 09:55 pm	#2 (permalink) (top)
Athena Volcanic Erupter Location: Oregon Posts: 5,297	How about computer disk encyclopedias. A regular encyclopedia and one of philosophy and one of politics. Dawn falls Eve. Enlightenment falls the darkness.

Dec 15, 2007, 03:33 am	#4 (permalink) (top)
Zeebadee Volcanic Erupter Posts: 3,833	I'd put in a fully fueled and loaded 757. When it was gone, I could then crash a drone into the pentagon and no one would ever be the wiser. "Everybody knows that the boat is leaking Everybody knows that the captain lied." - Leonard Cohen

Dec 26, 2007, 05:07 pm	#6 (permalink) (top)
weasel Marksman Location: "A place that cannot be found except by those who already know where it is." Posts: 199	I didn't think of that but it sounds like it would be the honest thing to do: just showing our achievements and not our failures would be an attempt to deceive ourselves and the "aliens." "Rage, rage against the dying of the light." -Dylan Thomas

Dec 14, 2007, 11:54 pm	#3 (permalink) (top)
SoylentGreen Volcanic Erupter Posts: 3,394	Comic books, We shouldn't make it to easy for them to figure out humanity.