Lies, Lies, and Colonialism

Humankind has waved-off previous messages, winging out into the wide black yonder. Both Voyager missions had on board a variety of examples of humankind's historical and other achievements, as well as selected images that might best convey a sense of wonder for what the planet has achieved. There were messages in many different languages, music through the ages- quite what extra terrestrials will make of Igor Stravinsky's Rite of Spring?- and various images, mostly photographs. There's a Chinese dinner party, a factory interior, the Great Wall of China, an X-ray of a human hand, rush hour traffic in Thailand. On 21st March the BBC were light-heartedly discussing what should or could be sent upon the next mission. I think the programme was PM, some time shortly after 17:00; two women- one scientist, one stand-up comic, who may well have been Josi Long *- were in agreement that 'other' things should be included, not merely a selection of humanity's best!

One of the pair said, 'Some of humanity's worst.' The other ventured, 'More every-day stuff- children's doodles, not just high art.' I think it was the comedian who suggested, 'Elon Musk's Twitter/X thread. 'The general message seemed to be that just sending the very best, or the more functional, really wasn't an accurate cross-section of humanity, nor humanity's impact upon the wider planet. The short discussion remained very gentle, nothing too controversial for the BBC!

There is now a considerable collection of, shall we term them, 'concerns,' piling up for the entire global ecosystem. There has been much talk of regulation of AI of late, the latest upon a growing list. Another, far less often broached, therefore minor, item has been the idea, held by some non-academics, that there might be risk attached to drawing attention to the richness of our home planet; we may not be the only species currently searching out amongst the stars, for other 'suitable and life-supporting' planets. Academics have countered with the observation that any species capable of deciphering the thousands of messages, also of traversing such wide expanses, will likely already be well ahead of the curve, well in advance of 'our' curve!.

Concerning humanity's current Earthbound trajectory, given that chances of extraterrestrial 'contact' may happen as distantly as millions of years into an uncertain future, whence trajectories might again converge, there must be a more than even chance that any eventual visitors are likely to be met by a planet uncluttered with the human species.

Regardless, Voyager(s) has been furnished with information designed to present the Earth and its self-appointed ruling species in a positive light. So, even the opening premise turns out to have been based upon a contradiction. Rather 'farmers as guardians of the countryside' extrapolated to encompass an entire planet. That is to state, more bluntly, that it is based upon a lie! A gentler slant might argue that it is 'based upon a current lie.' Humanity is ever boastful of its unmet aspirations, ever in denial of its failings, capable of such creativity, such wanton destruction!

Without need to search through the entirety of Voyager's greetings we may assume that mention of humankind's thirst for war will have been omitted. Neither, that messaging will have boasted about the more sinister uses to which humankind's advanced technologies are, so often, devoted- 'Here we are, armed to the teeth!,' or perhaps, 'Behold, hatred for our fellow beings!' Not quite, 'Welcome, come in peace!'

Is it a sort of arrogance that argues humankind it's self-appointed status of home superiority, an assumption, an oversight? Is it likely that any more-advanced extraterrestrial species will want to break bread with humankind that devotes quite so much time to atomising its fellow beings?

26th March, BBC early evening news was eager to show, and to interview, RAF flight personnel preparing to deliver much needed aid packages to Gaza. Flights were being permitted the most minute 'window,' within which to operate. A huge pat upon the back for the RAF! Interviewees spoke of a need to target the drop very precisely along the southern coast, so as not to cause yet further casualties amongst desperate Palestinians. Bizarrely, neither RAF personnel, nor BBC reporting, seemed aware that the RAF has been undertaking regular flights, via Cyprus, delivering unacknowledged items to Israel, for these past months. I doubt there will be room for evidence of such misinformation aboard the next Voyager flight.

Immured in faux-communication, the UK and the BBC prides itself upon drawing attention to specific instances of hypocrisy. No site, other than the BBC, prides itself more upon its tenacious thirst for honesty, when exposing overseas injustice, some injustices, some regimes. ''BBC Verify' is dedicated to examining the facts and claims behind a story to try to determine whether or not it's true.' They'll be able to tell the listener that aid flights to Gaza really did happen. 'They'll be fact-checking, verifying video, countering disinformation, analysing data and - crucially - explaining complex stories in the pursuit of truth.' They'll be able to inform the listener that the UK has backed calls for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. But will they be able, or prepared, to verify whether the RAF continues to service both advertised flights, as well as those of a more covert nature, at the behest of Israel? Will BBC Verify weigh up whether the UK cutting off aid to UNWRA is enabling Israel to kill yet more Palestinian children than the UK finally voting for a ceasefire at the UN is likely to save? Dear BBC, which snippets of information, do you consider, should the globe place aboard the next Voyager mission?

Maybe, begin with a touch of introspection?

* apologies to Josi Long, if it was indeed you.