I'm just curious on this. If (and that's a pretty big if) we were to receive a decipherable message from an alien species who knew and understood our languages from having studied us for years, or even decades, what do you think that first message would say?

I'm just curious on this. If (and that's a pretty big if) we were to receive a decipherable message from an alien species who knew and understood our languages from having studied us for years, or even decades, what do you think that first message would say?

I guess from about 1880 to 1910 the first voice based radio transmissions might have made it just out beyond our atmosphere intact so doubt any ET outside of our solar system would have picked up much.

Even so, if we account for technologies we have not yet developed, I would hate to think aliens had only ever received the imperialistic jingoisms of the early 1900s.

Just for amusement youtube has this link..

Whilst theoretically radio waves may travel on forever the fact is they don't. They dissipate (eg: inverse sq law) and they are blocked by objects or dust and they are deflected by solar winds, gravity et-al.

.. but still... I hope ET got an ear full of punk rock... and their message to us would be equally irreverent. :)

Alien Punk. Now that would give SETI a hard time deciphering.

What message would you like to hear?

(Do you think this thread should be moved over to SETI@home Science : Radio or some other form of communication? thread as that seems pretty similar to what you are interested in.)

I'm just curious on this. If (and that's a pretty big if) we were to receive a decipherable message from an alien species who knew and understood our languages from having studied us for years, or even decades, what do you think that first message would say?

"What were you thinking?!!"

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~Sue~

We once ate the Martians, and took away their atmosphere.
Now we're coming for you. What does your species taste like?

Chicken

We are the Borg !

Prepare to be assimilated.

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~Sue~