Alien Observation: What Aspects of Human Society and Technology Would Stand Out?

Imagine an advanced alien observer observing our society and technology in detail. What aspects of our civilization would stand out as particularly advanced, and what would they find wanting? This article explores various dimensions of human society and technology from an alien's perspective, considering both the impressive and the questionable aspects of our civilization.

Technological Advancement and Societal Norms

The technological advancement of an observing alien race would heavily influence their perception of our society. Given that advanced civilizations usually prioritize different aspects of technology and society, what we might take for granted could be considered innovative or even primitive by them. For instance, the alien race might be appalled that we do not eat our babies due to overbreeding. This shows a level of societal complexity that they might find admirable, but also see as a solution to a fundamental problem that they might have long since resolved.

War Machines and Military Priorities

Considering the advanced technological capability of aliens, they would be intrigued by our war machines and military. For humans, these are significant technological achievements, especially considering our current civilization level, which is estimated to be around a Type 0.35 according to the Kardashev scale. They would note the massive resources and attention devoted to military advancements, both by governments and their citizens. However, this focus would be in stark contrast to the resources dedicated to solving social problems such as poverty, hunger, and environmental care.

This imbalance would likely seem disrespectful and short-sighted to an alien civilization. They would see that despite our technological progress, we have not managed to prioritize solving these fundamental issues. Moreover, they would note that no significant changes have been made in the past 4000 years, and there is no indication that this will change in the next 4000 years. This stagnation would be a major point of concern for them.

State Institutions and Civilization Stagnation

A truly advanced alien civilization might find the persistence of state institutions particularly baffling. These institutions, designed to wage war and benefit a few, are highly pervasive and seem to be the cornerstone of our civilization. An alien observer would likely conclude that our persistence in maintaining such institutions is a major stumbling block to our advancement as a species.

They would note the paradoxical irony of attributing a "beneficent purpose" to institutions that work against our best interests. This line of thinking could explain Fermi's paradox: why we have not encountered any extraterrestrial civilizations. The conclusion that we are a hopeless case might discourage any alien race from making contact or even coming close to our planet.

The persistence of such institutions and the lack of systemic changes over such a long period would suggest that we might never become an advanced civilization. Instead, we might be seen as a species that has failed to evolve beyond its own delusions and greed.

Conclusion: An advanced alien observer would see our society and technology in a complex light. While some aspects, like our war machines and military, might seem impressive, others, like our societal stagnation and reliance on harmful state institutions, would likely be seen as significant points of concern. This perspective challenges us to reevaluate our priorities and strive for a more balanced and sustainable future.