Sunday, September 22, 2019

AN EXTRATERRESTRIAL TOUR GUIDE TO OUR PLANET

What would an extraterrestrial travel guide say about our planet?

Of course, the lists below are riddled by assumptions about what extraterrestrials visitors would be like. My main assumptions are that they are more or less human and that they have lived for many thousands of years in peace. I also assume that beings who can travel through space are technologically advanced and have known age-long stability and are rather mental and calm than emotional and impulsive.

I am submitting a list of five main attractions, five experiences to avoid and five reasons for a a negative travel advice to visit this planet at all. All for the benefit of extraterrestrial visitors. Let us start with the last list.

THE FIVE MAIN REASONS FOR A NEGATIVE TRAVEL ADVICE TO PLANET EARTH
  1. A nuclear world war
  2. A pandemic
  3. Worldwide famine
  4. Mass killings; extermination and concentration camps
  5. Worldwide exploitation and slaughter of animals

Only Number 5 is actual right now. For visitors it is probably not frightening (unless they seem like animals to us), but disgusting, horrifying. It could be the main reason not to visit us. Don't go there!

THE FIVE MAIN CONDITIONS OR DESTINATIONS TO AVOID WHEN VISITING EARTH
  1. International wars
  2. Civil wars and religious wars; widespread violence; torture chambers
  3. Corrupt regimes (risky for tourists!)
  4. Sexual exploitation of children
  5. Sexual exploitation of adults

These first three are about risks, the last two mainly about disgust.


THE TOP FIVE ATTRACTIONS
  1. Nature, esp. oceans and waterfalls; variety of climate, flora and fauna
  2. Variety in peoples and cultures
  3. Performance artists: dancers, acrobats, etc.
  4. Musicians
  5. Romance (??)

My guess is that this planet is more varied and richer than most. And wetter. And that vitality plays a much stronger role than in societies technologically so advanced that physical and emotional challenges probably are minimal. Our more vital bodies may have a particular attractiveness. (Or maybe considered gross.)And differences between male and female may be here more outspoken.

You might have alternative lists. Please share!