by Stephen H

Created on: March 14, 2008   Last Updated: March 12, 2011

We have always been intrigued by what lay out of sight beyond the boundaries of the heavens. We invented gods and all manner of wonderful beings in an attempt to make sense of our world. The modern concern is with intelligent visitors from other planets. There are a number of cults who are even preparing for their arrival. UFO sightings have increased considerably since the 1950s and the number of abduction reports has also increased. To date though, there is no absolute proof of intelligent extraterrestrials. Of course, this hasn't stopped Hollywood speculating as to what they might look like and what they might want from us. Their agendas range from the benign attention of benevolent aliens in films such as 'the day the earth stood still' through to the war mongering of the aliens depicted in 'V' and 'Independence Day.' So, benign or malevolent, are we ready to make contact?

A number of UFO conspiracy theorists would have us believe that contact with alien beings has been made but that Governments have conspired to keep this knowledge from the general public. I am not sure I subscribe to this theory, but it is plausible and lying at the heart of it is the notion that Governments would have a reason, or reasons, not to share this information. One reason that is often suggested is that Governments do not believe that our societies could continue to prosper if this news were made public. This breakdown in society could stem from either individual reaction to the news or systemic reactions. In either event, there is the possibility that societies would fail and Governments fall leading to anarchy and chaos, a state of affairs to be avoided. The mechanisms for failure are many and varied but would likely include a number of the following:

a) Knowledge of extraterrestrial beings would lead to a crisis of faith in individuals and possibly destabilize the organized religions. In most societies, religious leaders wield considerable influence with the Government and they would argue to maintain the status quo. Governments too recognize the stabilizing influence of organized religion on their populations, both in terms of underpinning the moral attitude of the society and controlling populations through religious dogma. It is easy to see that if these are brought into serious doubt, society becomes more volatile.

b) Economic systems would be put under severe strain, and would probably collapse, once the knowledge of extraterrestrial contact has been confirmed. The mere

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