In recent years, sending messages into space has become a pressing public concern in many countries, leading to ongoing debate over whether transmitting signals to alien civilizations is risky. Although sending messages is a way to advance specific knowledge, I do believe that we should protect the balance of nature with our responsibility.
On the one hand, as scientists are allowed to send signals into space, humans on Earth can greatly expand their knowledge. Discovering intelligent life beyond Earth would address one of humanity’s oldest questions and greatly reshape our understanding of specific knowledge. For instance, scientists at NASA once sent a record into space in the 1970s to represent human civilization. If advanced species discovered it, humans could potentially gain groundbreaking scientific achievements in several fields such as biology, evolution and the universe, which we have never fully understood. Therefore, transmitting messages into space could open up unpredictable opportunities for scientists, thereby contributing to the global economy.
On the other hand, a major concern is that transmitting signals could expose Earth’s location. This is because when scientists send signals into space, our information such as location will be publicised to unknown civilizations whose intentions cannot be predicted. As a result, humanity could be placed in a vulnerable position if contact were hostile and exploitative. For example, on Earth, in the 19th century when Christopher Columbus arrived in the Americas, leading to devastating consequences for native populations. A similar situation could happen if our planet’s location is leaked to extraterrestrial civilizations. This development could lead to a long-term consequence to humanity, which can threaten human survival.
In conclusion, while communicating with extraterrestrial life may offer remarkable scientific opportunities, the potential risk is too significant to ignore. Therefore, I believe that humanity should adopt a cautious approach and avoid actively sending messages into space until we know deeply about the receivers.