Description
Book SynopsisIt is statistically unlikely that humans are the only intelligent species in the universe. Nothing about the others will be known until contact is made beyond a radio signal from space that merely tells us they existed when it was sent. That contact may occur tomorrow, in a hundred years, or never. If it does it will be a high-risk scenario for humanity. It may be peaceful or hostile. Relying on alien altruism and benign intentions is wishful thinking. We need to begin identifying as a planetary species, and develop a global consensus on how to respond in either scenario.
Table of ContentsForeword Preface List of Figures Abbreviations 1 Introduction 1 An Initial Caveat: the ufo/uap Debate – the Elephant in the Room 2 Structure of the Book 2 The Scientific seti Environment 1 Introduction 1.1 The Drake Equation and the Fermi Paradox 1.1.1 Drake Equation 1.1.2 Fermi Paradox 2 Anthropocentrism and Morphism 3 seti Approaches and the Nature of Contact 4 Astrobiology 3 Social Science Aspects of seti 1 Gauging the Risk and Impact of First Contact on Global Society 1.1 The Rio and San Marino Scales 1.2 iaaseti Declarations of Principles 1.3 Excursion: iaaseti and Its Attitude to Research Into uap 1.4 The disc Quotient – Linking Impact and Linguistics 2 Exolinguistics 3 Exosociology, Exophilosophy and Exotheology 4 The Metalaw Debate – Premature Speculation and Proper Use of Legal Considerations 5 Conclusion 4 Science Fiction and (First) Contact Scenarios 1 Science Fiction Literature 2 Types of First Contact 2.1 The Hercules Text 2.2 The Rama Cycle – Rama i and ii 2.3 The Tripods Tetralogy and the Forge of God 2.3.1 The Tripods 2.3.2 The Forge of God 2.4 The Mote in God’s Eye 2.5 The Three-Body Problem as an Example of the Risk Inherent in meti 3 Interspecies Comprehension and Communication 3.1 Rama iii and iv 3.2 Semiosis 3.3 Children of Time and Children of Ruin 4 Interspecies Armed Conflict 4.1 Ender’s Game 4.2 The Forever War, Starship Troopers, Old Man’s War Trilogy, and Anvil of Stars 5 Conclusion 5 Hostile Contact and Current International and Domestic Law 1 Introduction 2 Liability of Humans 2.1 International Criminal Law 2.1.1 Overview of Core Crimes 2.1.2 Individual Problems 2.2 Domestic Law 3 Liability of ETI 3.1 Jurisdiction 3.2 Nullum Crimen Principle 4 Conclusion 6 Preparing for Hostile Contact 1 Introduction 2 Weapons Technology 3 Strategy and Tactics 3.1 Weapons Development and Deep Space Strategy 3.2 The Strategic Parameters of Deep Space Warfare 3.2.1 Distances, Speeds, and Celestial Mechanics 3.2.2 Psychological Aspects 4 Conclusion: an End to the Idea of a Peaceful Use of Outer Space? 7 Legal Prolegomena of Peaceful Relationships with eti 1 Introduction 2 Joining the “Galactic Club” – a Future Theory of Humans’ Rights Protection in Interstellar Civilisation Networks? 2.1 Overview of Possible Factors Affecting Human Rights Guarantees 2.1.1 Network Regulation Density 2.1.2 Rights Hierarchies and Enforcement Mechanisms 2.2 Individual Rights 2.2.1 Preamble 2.2.2 Recognition as a Person before the Law 2.2.2 Self-determination, Political Activity 2.2.4 Equality and Minority Rights 2.2.5 Right to Life, Ban on Cruel and Degrading Treatment, Torture and Slavery 2.2.6 Due Process Rights, Right to Liberty 2.2.7 Freedom of Movement 2.2.8 Privacy, Freedom of Religion and Expression, Assembly and Association 2.2.9 Family and Personal Status; Child Rights 2.2.10 Restrictions on Exercise of Rights 3 Conclusion 8 Conclusion and Outlook Epilogue by Dr. Andreas Anton Annexes Bibliography Index
