Alien Species with FTL Tech and Humanity's Upgrading: A Dystopian Scenario

David Brin's Uplift series explores an interesting concept where alien species help others on their evolutionary journey. However, this series assumes these species uplift others when their subjects are at a promising animal level, and thus, the situation where Earthlings achieved sapience independently falls under an anomaly.

Myth or Reality: Are Aliens Fact or Fiction?

The idea of aliens, UFOs, extraterrestrial intelligence, and otherworldly beings like angels or superheroes is more commonly found in fictional narratives than in the realm of scientifically verifiable realities. Hollywood, with its directors and writers, has popularized the concept of extraterrestrial visitations and interventions in human affairs. While it is true that some people may believe in such tales, there is little empirical evidence to support the existence of these entities.

From a scientific standpoint, the probability of life forming via abiogenesis is incredibly low. Estimates suggest the odds are as high as 1 in 10^40,000, far lower than the number of atoms in the universe (10^80) or the age of the universe (up to 10^10 years). Therefore, unless we receive definitive proof, it is safe to conclude that there are no advanced alien species visiting Earth.

Aliens, if They Exist, Could Not Come to Earth, Could They?

Even if alien civilizations did exist, the practical challenges in reaching Earth would be immense. The vast distances in space and the limitations of current (and foreseeable future) space travel technology would make such a journey unrealistic. Furthermore, even if they possessed FTL (Faster-Than-Light) technology, the impact of such a visitation on Earth's ecosystem and society would be catastrophic.

Productive or Destructive? What Might Upgrading Mean?

Assuming an alien species could indeed arrive with the intention of uplifting humanity, what methods might they employ? Given their advanced technology, they could initiate peaceful coexistence, share knowledge, and provide resources to aid in our development. However, history shows that even the most benevolent intentions can lead to unintended consequences.

Consider a hypothetical scenario inspired by a work of science fiction. An alien species arrives, initially seeming harmless. They leave a mysterious pod in orbit, which is soon removed by another alien species. At first, we welcome our saviors, but their actions turn significantly darker. They nuke major spiritual centers, imposing a bizarre religion involving a creepy alien larva.

This narrative raises questions about the nature of “uplift.” If Jesuit priests from Spain uplifted Native Americans in the 16th century by stopping human sacrifice, such actions could be viewed as positive. However, these same missions often came with aggressive colonization, disease, and slavery, resulting in devastating outcomes for indigenous populations. An alien uplift could similarly have both beneficial and harmful aspects.

Conclusion: A Dystopian Warning?

The possibility of alien interventions in human affairs, whether uplifting or destructive, remains a topic of both fascination and concern. While science fiction provides valuable insights into these scenarios, it is crucial to approach such ideas critically and consider the historical and ethical dimensions of any form of uplifting or intervention.

Note: The story mentioned is a work of fiction, and the name of the author is unfortunately still unknown. Nonetheless, this narrative serves as a warning and a cautionary tale for contemporary discussions on alien life.