> I would think that the first priority with ETs would be to a establish
> "friendly" relationship to ensure that the human race is not considered be
> expendable, enslavable, etc. This would mean sending sending the best
> diplomat available. A diplomat would be able to quickly and fully
> understand the motivation for the contact and the political situation the
> human race is about to step into. The potential to adapt politically to
> the situation would require a certain amount of moral and ethical
> "flexibility" that is the forte of diplomats not scientists.
Although in this case the diplomat would most likely need to be
cross-trained with anthropology or ethology in order to be able to
employ his or her skills - most diplomats are good only at being
diplomatic with humans.
-- ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Anders Sandberg Towards Ascension! asa@nada.kth.se http://www.nada.kth.se/~asa/ GCS/M/S/O d++ -p+ c++++ !l u+ e++ m++ s+/+ n--- h+/* f+ g+ w++ t+ r+ !y