cont.....
Our immediate impressions of the intelligent ET will be critical to how
society later reacts to the contact. The theme of this article is that,
because of the evolutionary demands to become intelligent and the probable
similarity between Earth and the alien planet, the intelligent ET will be
basically humanoid in form. Therefore, our reaction will most likely not be
too extreme.
Various questions, however, remain. For example, how far will the ET have
evolved beyond the humanoid morphology?
It is unlikely that prosthetics will change the basic form of the ET. In
general, artificial limbs (and bionics) are intended to resemble those
currently possessed. The aliens' view of good looks will be determined by the
most perfect and healthy of its species. Consequently any artificial aids will
be designed to blend with the pure form of the alien -- contact lenses
replacing glasses is a good example of this.
It is difficult to imagine the advanced alien ever giving up its basic body
appearance. Some writers have suggested that semi-immortality might be
achieved by removing the brain from the failing body and installing it in a
machine, thus creating the cyborg. If this is ever done it is likely that man
would want the new machine bodyto resemble the original organic body shape. An
even more radical idea is that once the alien has developed very high levels
of knowledge and consciousness, the mind may even be li berated from the body.
If this occurred we might never discover its original appearance.
A final question is to what degree will alien clothing and cosmetics mask the
basic morphology? Fashions can enhance and emphasise body shapes in certain
cases with our own current civilization -- possibly the same will occur in the
intelligent ET's society. Hair styling, however, is an example of how
sometimes fashion can seriously alter the shape of the body. Also, any
spacesuit or breathing apparatus might appear unusual.
Unfortunately, only through the discovery of artifacts or through contact
itself will we ever learn what the actual morphology of the alien may be.
Indeed, the chances are that the first close encounter with an alien
civilization will be via the radio telescope. Video pictures will in this
situation have to suffice for many years in the place of face to face contact.
It is the conclusion of this paper that these images of the intelligent ET
will not shock us; they may surprise and intrigue us, but it is unlikely that
mankind will find the alien fearful in physical appearance.
Hopefully, the ET will feel the same way about us.
REFERENCES
1. R.N. Bracewell, "Life in the galaxy," reprinted in INTERSTELLAR
COMMUNICATION, ed. A. Cameron (Benjamin, NY 1963).
2. Robert Bieri, "Humanoids on other planets?" AMERICAN SCIENTIST, LII
December, 1964
3. P.M. Molton, "Is anyone out there?" SPACEFLIGHT, 15,p.250, July, 1973
4. S.W.P. Steen in the review of Freudenthals "Lincos" language, BRITISH
JOURNAL OF THE PHILOSOPHY OF SCIENCE, 336, (1962)
5. D. Dooling, "Speculating on man's neighbours," SPACEFLIGHT, 17, p232,
(Juen, 1975)
6. N.J. Berrill, "Worlds without end," Chapters 9 and 10
7. Roland Puccetti, "Persons: a study of possible moral agents in the
universe," Macmillan, 1968
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