“I don’t know what else to tell you. The closest word in our language is, Sojourner. At least that’s what the self-reference seems to be.”
“I’d call him or her or it a spy, but that’s just me.”
“Well, no one likes to be the subject of a report. And in my opinion, these are reports, observations if you will, the personal impressions of someone from another world.”
“And these files. Is this the only copy?”
“No. We have backups. Let’s have a look at the documents on this flash drive. Let me know what you think.”
—–
Report from planet 3, solar system 1043782. Local date, January 2, 2021. Sojourner inserted on planet, Earth – local term, for 14 rotations, two weeks – local term. Geography of planet known from our scans. Surface of planet suitable for our habitation – resources adequate for our use. Local micro-life manageable given current state of our technology. We can make vaccines for all major threats to our species. Sojourner remains hidden. Relatively easy in local society. Many inhabitants interact electronically, some meet IRL, in real life – local term. Interact through avatars – electronic money, bitcoin – local term. Not required to leave dwelling place. When – if – appearance necessary – face modifications suitable. Variation in species appearance adequate to blend in – local term.
Earth society based on superstition, as when last Sojourner visited 200 revolutions ago. Most inhabitants do not understand science / are not capable of numerical reasoning. Many deny Earth spherical – doubt species can have effect on planetary climate – resources. Some inhabitants have visited planet’s moon – many doubt this occurred. When Earth inhabitants do not understand how a thing works – many conclude conspiracy / hoax. These inhabitants represent threat to us, should we attempt to inhabit planet with them. We may be required to eliminate threat.
Another threat – many inhabitants of Earth show prejudice based on skin color, money, fame, superstition. Historical observations show our species may encounter violence. Further study necessary to determine whether superstition / prejudice make planet unsuitable – otherwise may be met with force.
So observed – Sojourner
—–
“OK. How did you translate this?”
“Well, their language shares some of the constructions of ancient Hebrew. My partner and I are well-versed in ancient languages. Apparently, there have been other Sojourners in earlier times, and perhaps they had more influence than they might have wished.”
“Do you think they will invade us?”
“Too soon to tell. We’ll keep working on the translations.”
—–
Report from planet 3, solar system 1043782. Local date, January 29, 2021. Many inhabitants demonstrate little respect for rules. On local date, January 6, 2021, armed inhabitants attacked capitol of nation most noted for democracy – against rules – against numerical reasoning. Unknown portion of population possibly ungovernable. Possibly not able to understand – not convinced with facts. Those having more resources desire more – some desire others do exactly as they say – otherwise face cancellation – local term. Many parts of planet – historical periods of violence large-scale. Many inhabitants interested in money – possessions more than good government. Democracy difficult for inhabitants. Large portion of inhabitants desire autocracy. Many inhabitants follow one inhabitant without question, if he says what they want to hear. Inhabitants capable of much obfuscation to defend beliefs. We may be required to exert autocratic rule to subdue some inhabitants. Sojourner unable to make determination. Possibly central command will reverse decision to offer democracy / cooperation.
Planet divided into factions – some looking backward, others looking forward. Eastern Europe, Ukraine – local term – currently war area. Resource war – territory – agriculture – hydrocarbon supply affected. Monetary system – capitalism – local term – unable to optimize supply – demand. Business cycle – local term – persists. Periods of expansion – contraction. Artificial scarcity allows some inhabitants to profit while other inhabitants suffer. Real scarcity will follow. Planetary leaders not able to affect planet warming trend – depletion of resources. We have technology to moderate – doubt inhabitants will accept our help. Monetary system based on near-term profit discourages reasoned solutions. Intervention may be required.
So observed – Sojourner
—–
“Good God. They are going to invade!”
“Not necessarily. Sojourner refers to plans to offer cooperation or democracy. It seems to me they resist intervention. Their main concern is that we may be unable to be reasonable. These reports are not wrong, just… not flattering.”
“I get that. I’m just worried about a superior species landing here and dominating us.”
“You mean like how we’ve treated indigenous peoples throughout history?”
“That’s not fair.”
“I think it is. If a superior species, as you say, wants to come and live in harmony with us, and not crush us, I’d say that might be worth our giving up a few superstitions and prejudices.”
“Old habits die hard, Professor.”
—–
Report from planet 3, solar system 1043782. Local date, February 28, 2021. Inhabitant response to planetary biological threat chaotic. Some inhabitants take reasonable precautions. Some panic. Some resist efforts of protection. Some inhabitants used advanced biological technology to make vaccines – much like our science at early stage. Others fear vaccines – believe vaccines conspiracy to control them. Virus not a threat to us. Sojourner made vaccine on arrival. Many inhabitants unable to understand science as method of questioning – expect science as final statement of truth. Science confused with opinion – factional disputes result. Many inhabitants not able to cope with complexity of life / thought.
Election results in nation most noted for election security remain in dispute. Many inhabitants do not understand evidence – believe opinion – conclude fraud. Other inhabitants believe one faction may take control regardless of future results. Historical evidence confirms this possibility. Concern – unlike our species inhabitants may not avoid one faction rule. Concern – many candidates lack intellectual capacity to understand history, science, numerical reasoning. Historical evidence confirms past governments collapsed from ignorance. We may be required to compel system of qualifications for potential leaders. Otherwise, societal integration remains impossible.
Possibly inhabitants more intelligent individually than in groups. Otherwise, much group behavior pretense / artifice. Concern – 0.143 of inhabitants suffer from lack of basic food, shelter, clothing, medicine. We may be required to provide basic services – support for 0.143 of inhabitants. Cohesive society not possible under present conditions.
So observed – Sojourner
—–
“They are talking about societal control. Stomping out ignorance? Caring for the poor? Enforcing social norms? Who are these people?”
“An advanced society would view a lot of what’s going on here as primitive. I can’t argue that it’s not. Think about it. Think about our office holders. How many clowns are there in Congress, anyway? Think about the poorly educated and misinformed. Our world is hardly a paragon of intellectual virtue.”
“This seems like a take over to me. I’m not sure we can allow that.”
“What are we going to do? Nuke them? A sufficiently advanced species could squash us like bugs. The fact that they are observing and considering options shows they care about our welfare. They might just leave us alone until a later time. Apparently, they’ve been doing that for a few thousand years.”
“Where are the other copies of these files?”
“Well, Director Burns, my partner has one. I have one in my desk, and there is another one in our safe deposit box.”
The next day, the translator and his partner disappeared. No copies of the translations were made public until now. The president was advised that the messages were nothing more than a hoax. Sojourner left the Earth, agreeing that in another 200 years his people would visit again. He expressed his doubts that any of our species would still be here at that time.
MurrayWorks 