Existence

That we’re not alone out here amid the rubble. There must have been survivors. And-sooner or later-we’re going to find them.

Which brings up the old question…

– Tor Povlov

70.

LURKERS

Oh, how lovely.

She derives our presence… we relics-who-live… by reason alone!

Worse, she has started broadcasting her ruminations, as a journalistic report, sharing her unconventional thoughts with the Solar System.

Defying the prevailing assumption-that no broken remnants could endure across tens of millions of Earth years-she writes convincingly that there ought to be living machines out here. Fragment fugitives from the ancient fight, still active and “lurking” as she calls it.

So, logically, the next thing she will ask is obvious, even before her words spill forth.

THE LONELY SKY

Which brings up the old question… why haven’t these ancient voyagers spoken! Our Internets are so wide open, any klutz could find a way in. Surviving alien probes would see sites like “Invitation to ETI.” Why not answer?

A generation ago, scholars posted something more daring-a direct confrontation! And at this point in my broadcast, let’s replay verbatim their list of challenges (with my occasional commentary):

Lurker Challenge Number One

To any alien visitors who may prowl out there, spying on our world-by now it’s clear you’ve no intention of answering the many calls beckoning you to make contact. You’ve chosen silence. Is it worth our time to guess why?

The following list of reasons isn’t comprehensive-after all, you’re alien! It does represent an honest try. We ask and demand that you ponder whichever reason comes closest.

* * *

First, if you’ve spent years monitoring our radio, television-and now our Internet-and the reason you haven’t spoken-up is that you’re afraid of the rash or vicious behavior you see depicted in our media… please be reassured!

True, many of our movie and TV dramas portray distrust, selfishness, and violence. But you should know that, in fact, very few of us experience events as disturbing as you see in shows. Most of us dislike our old barbarous traits. By exploring these ancient feelings, inherited from a dark past, we hope to understand them better.

Also note: In a vast majority of these tales, the “loser” tends to be whichever person or group was more aggressive or intolerant at the start. And we are especially hard and critical on our own institutions, portraying or criticising their failings. Doesn’t that say something about our moral heading?

The same holds for nonfiction. Despite news reports depicting a riotous world, the actual per capita rate of mayhem in human society has declined dramatically for generations. Look it up! More than three-quarters of all living humans never personally witnessed war, starvation, or major civil unrest. An unprecedented fraction are allowed to improve their lot in peace. Many ancient bigotries and cruelties have lessened, or at least been put in bad repute. And with spreading education, far greater advances seem possible.

True, these achievements are still woefully unfinished. They leave lots to do, in working toward a just and mature civilization. But they are clear signs of progress and overall good will by a majority of our species.

Despite all the self-critical news reports and flamboyantly exaggerated “action” stories you may watch, please be assured that most human beings are calm people who treat strangers well. Many millions of us would be thrilled to meet you, taking every effort to make honest visitors welcome.

71.

LURKERS

And so it becomes explicit.

She is talking to us now.

Challenging, even taunting us, charging us to explain our long silence. Provoking us with an implicit accusation of cowardice.

Already I sense a ferment of mental activity from Seeker and the others. The old debate renews, in full fury.

And this precocious little maker has only just begun to goad us!

THE LONELY SKY

Lurker Challenge Number Two

If you’ve monitored our TV, radio, and Internet-and the reason you haven’t answered is that you see us as competitors, please reconsider.

* * *

In our long, slow struggle toward decent civilization, humans have slowly learned that competition and cooperation aren’t inherent opposites, but twins, both in nature and advanced societies.

Under terms that are fair, and with goodwill, even those who begin suspicious of each other can discover ways to interact toward mutual benefit. Use the Web to look up the “positive-sum game” where “win-win” solutions bring success to all sides.

Surely there are ways that humanity-and other Earth species-can join the cosmos without injuring your legitimate aims. Remember, most stable species and cultures seem to benefit from a little competition, now and then! So please answer. Let’s talk about it.

72.

FOUR SPECIES OF HUMAN

Evolution is a bitch. Nearly all the time.

Only… on rare occasions… evolution gets to change her mind.

A reminder of that fact nearly plowed into Gerald, darting from a side corridor. Barely avoiding collision, the small figure windmilled, legs flying in the weird way that one “fell” in a centrifugal gravity wheel, tumbling toward