the Space.com website According to the Grenzgebiete der Psychologie und Psychohygiene Institute in Freiburg, an investigation was conducted led by researcher Andreas Anton.
Scientists listed several scenarios and examined the consequences that could result from an encounter with aliens. It was mentioned among them
- The possibility of detecting aliens first using radio signals from deep space;
- We use telescopes to find evidence of past or present extraterrestrial life;
- We find an object on Earth or in the solar system (for example with a space probe) that proves the existence of aliens;
- Or an alien ship appears near Earth.
According to the researchers, the last of the four scenarios could be the one that would have the most serious impact on humanity. According to researchers, the appearance of aliens could cause “a great deal of anxiety” among people.
Scientists have also raised the possibility that incoming aliens may not necessarily only be biological beings, but may also be a type of artificial intelligence created previously by a biological civilization.
In this regard, they believed that if biological life forms appeared right near Earth, it would cause even more panic, as it would immediately raise the question of what they wanted here.
Furthermore, it may also come with the assumption that they have a base nearby, or are capable of ultra-fast travel (even faster than the speed of light), and are therefore significantly ahead of us technologically.
– they wrote, noting that it is also possible that we simply discover an object (spaceship) in the solar system, but we cannot communicate with it, and therefore it is not clear who visited us here.
According to researchers, if the first contact with extraterrestrial life forms actually occurs, it will be the most dangerous event for humanity. This is why it is necessary to try to prepare for this eventuality.
Existential shock is imminent
the For the Daily Star Psychologist Malcolm Schofield, a lecturer at the University of Derby, has spoken about all of this before, saying that if we encountered aliens, many people would “question reality”.
As he said, in this case one My existence There will be a shock, and many people’s worldview, or even their faith in society, will be shaken.
“It’s going to be a very big deal. That’s why I think it’s going to be so important for us psychologists to play a role and try to minimize the impact and take care of people’s well-being.”
A pre-print version of the German research is below connection Available (material will appear in print in the February 2024 issue of Acta Astronautica).
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