Then, I realized that there is an indigenous presence in the Solar System. It's us. So, then, I got to wondering what would happen if a more technologically advanced society moved next door to us, the way we moved next door to the American Indians.

Summary

This quote highlights the concept of recognizing humans as the indigenous inhabitants of the Solar System and raises the question of how we would react if confronted with a more advanced extraterrestrial civilization, paralleling the historical interactions between colonizers and indigenous populations. It invites contemplation about the potential power dynamics, conflicts, and consequences that might unfold if "we" became the ones subjected to cultural displacement and potential exploitation, emphasizing the importance of empathy and understanding when considering the possibilities of future encounters with alien civilizations.

Topics