Houston, we have a signal! It seems like the beginning of a Zemeckis movie, but it could soon become reality: the Chinese radio telescope FAST, or the American VLA, or maybe our dear “old” Parks in Australia, one day they pick up a radio message among the stars that cannot have a natural origin. It is too regular, too perfect. There is no doubt: it is the work of an intelligent and technologically advanced civilization. But what exactly happens after a discovery like that? Who should be notified first? How can we be sure it is authentic? And most importantly: what do we tell ET when we call back? Don't worry, it exists a detailed protocol developed almost 15 years ago, a sort of “user manual” in case of first contact. Are you curious to discover it? Then let's start this journey.
Day 1: Houston, we have a signal!
The scene is this: a radio astronomer is “scanning” the sky, just like Jodie Foster in “Contact.” Suddenly, amidst the cosmic background noise, he notices a regular pattern. Strange. Very strange. He repeats the observation several times, many times, he submits it to his colleagues, and the doubt becomes certainty: it is not a natural signal, it is artificial. Made by intelligent beings. Panic.
What does our scientist do? First of all, no sensational announcements, for now. The first thing is to rule out all possible causes of error: interference, malfunctions, bad jokes and so on. This verification process can take more days, even weeks. In the meantime, our hero contacts other observers for independent counter-proof. If they also get the signal, then perhaps it really is time to acknowledge that History has changed.
Week 1: The signal is confirmed. Now what?
After days of checks, sleepless nights and rivers of coffee, the confirmation arrives: the signal is authentic, unmistakably extraterrestrial. At this point the “First Contact” protocol is triggered. The news bounces around the major research centers, such as SETI, and the space agencies. Probably someone also alerts the politicians and the military, you never know.
Scientists are trying to decipher the message: is it just a “hello” or does it contain more complex information? In the meantime, someone is also contacting international organizations, such as the International Academy of Astronautics and the International Astronomical Union. In the case of such epochal discoveries, it is good to coordinate on a global level.
At a certain point, however, the news leaks out and becomes public knowledge. The media goes crazy, the world holds its breath. Fascinated guests and various conspiracy theorists appear on TV. In short, it's a pandemonium. Carl Sagan he had predicted it in “Contact,” but perhaps even he would be taken aback.
Week 2: Thanks for calling, please call back soon!
While the world is in chaos, insiders work to restore order. First of all, they try to "protect" the frequency used by the aliens, so as to be able to pick up any other messages. In the meantime, a task force is formed at the UN to manage the crisis. Or the opportunity, depending on your point of view.
A group of experts begins working on the response message. Easy, right? “Hi friends, nice to hear from you!”. Eh, maybe. According to the protocol, consultations are needed at multiple levels, involving governments, scientists, theologians, diplomats. Because responding to an alien civilization is an enormous responsibility. Every word must be weighed. We wouldn't want to start a galactic war because of a trivial translation error.
Week 3: First contact… and now, what do we tell them?
The debate heats up: to respond or not? If so, what? Scientists want to share scientific information. Spiritual leaders call for a message of peace. The more mischievous suggest asking for the recipe for space pizza. Jokes aside, the decision is not easy and requires reflection on a planetary level.
In the end, the line of multilateralism prevails (here we tiptoe into the most hypothetical of hypotheses). No rushing ahead by individual states or power groups. In a historical passage like this, the greatest possible sharing is needed. With the UN acting as director, a shared response slowly takes shape. Hoping that in the meantime, someone up there is still listening.
First contact, the future: nothing will be the same again
And then? Here we enter the dream. Friends, the first contact would be just the beginning. Think about it: discovering that we are not alone it would change our perception of ourselves forever. Our certainties would falter. We would have to redefine our position in the universe, perhaps the very meaning of our existence. A change of almost inconceivable magnitude.
Sure, after a while we would return to our lives, to paying bills and to the football championship. But with a new, shocking awareness. The awareness of being part of something much bigger. Perhaps the beginning of a new era of exploration, knowledge, cosmic diplomacy. Or maybe a period of uncertainty and fear of the unknown.
Who can say? Certainly from that day on, nothing would be the same. Humanity would have a new path to explore. And new, huge responsibilities to take on. Are we ready? Who knows. But one thing is certain: if that blessed signal really arrived, mankind would find itself united like never before in the face of the greatest of adventures. Or not?
