A Story That Sparked This Question

A few years ago, I was lying on my balcony in the Austrian countryside, staring at a sky so clear you could almost fall into it. Somewhere between spotting Orion’s Belt and watching a shooting star dart across, I wondered: If I had one chance to speak to an alien civilisation, what on earth would I ask? Would I ask about the meaning of life? About technology that could heal diseases? Or would I go simpler—“Do you feel love the way we do?” That quiet night turned into a conversation with friends, family, and even a philosophy professor. The answers surprised me and taught me how much our questions reveal about ourselves.

This isn’t just idle stargazing. The question of what we would ask an alien civilisation is one of humanity’s most profound thought experiments. It combines philosophy, science, anthropology, and even psychology. And as we move deeper into the age of space exploration—with NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope already detecting atmospheres of exoplanets—this question is less science fiction and more a rehearsal for the future.

Why This Question Matters

Before diving into the questions themselves, let’s pause. Why does it matter what we would ask aliens in the first place?

1. It reveals our priorities. Do we value survival, knowledge, or emotional connection most?
2. It challenges our worldview. Would we assume they share the same concepts of morality or science as us?
3. It exposes human vulnerability. We rarely think of ourselves as small, yet imagining a civilisation older and wiser than ours forces us to confront humility.

Dr Jill Tarter, the co-founder of the SETI Institute, once said in an interview with Scientific American: “Asking what we would say to aliens is really asking how we want to present ourselves as a species.” This reflection makes the exercise less about aliens and more about what it means to be human.

What Makes a Good First Question?

Philosopher Nick Bostrom has argued that humanity’s future may hinge on the kind of knowledge we seek. A good first question to an alien civilisation must balance curiosity with caution. Imagine if early humans had asked Columbus for a free ride on his ships without considering the consequences. History teaches us that first contact is fraught with power imbalances.

So, a meaningful first question should:

• Be universal, not dependent on human-specific concepts.
• Aim for understanding rather than advantage.
• Carry ethical weight, signalling our willingness to learn, not conquer.

Categories of Questions Humans Might Ask

1. Questions About Existence

• “Why does the universe exist at all?”
• “Do you know what came before the Big Bang?”

These questions cut to the core of human philosophy. While physics has made strides, even leading cosmologists like Stephen Hawking admitted that we are still scratching the surface. Asking an alien race could open doors to insights beyond our current imagination.

2. Questions About Technology

• “Have you solved the problem of limitless, clean energy?”
• “Can you travel faster than light?”

With climate change accelerating, the question of sustainable energy isn’t abstract. Imagine if a civilisation had already navigated this challenge. A 2023 report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) stresses that technology transfer and innovation are crucial for humanity’s survival. Learning from aliens could shorten our timeline dramatically.

3. Questions About Consciousness and Emotion

• “Do you experience love, fear, or beauty?”
• “How do you define consciousness?”

Neuroscientists still debate whether consciousness arises solely from the brain or from something more elusive. If aliens have different biology but share the phenomenon of self-awareness, it might validate or overturn centuries of philosophy and neuroscience.

4. Questions About Ethics and Society

• “How do you resolve conflict without destroying each other?”
• “What values sustain your civilisation?”

Given our ongoing struggles with war, inequality, and political division, this might be the most practical line of questioning. Anthropologists often study how diverse cultures manage resources and disagreements. An alien perspective could be anthropology at a cosmic scale.

5. Questions About Connection

• “Have you encountered other civilisations?”
• “What made you decide to reach out—or not?”

SETI scientists speculate that if intelligent life exists, it may have chosen silence out of caution. Understanding their reasons could help us decide how loudly we should be broadcasting ourselves into the cosmos.

Expert Perspectives

• Carl Sagan, in Contact, imagined the first alien message not as a gift of technology but as a test of our patience and intelligence. He suggested the real question is whether we are ready to listen.
• Michio Kaku, theoretical physicist, has often remarked that any civilisation capable of interstellar communication would likely be thousands of years ahead of us technologically, raising ethical dilemmas about how to approach them without appearing primitive.
• Dr Kathryn Denning, an anthropologist at York University, warns that first contact scenarios often mirror colonial histories on Earth. She emphasises humility and listening over demanding answers.

A Personal Reflection

If I had one chance to ask, I’d resist the urge to request advanced technology. Instead, I would ask: “How did you survive your own adolescence as a civilisation?” Humanity right now feels like a teenager—full of potential, reckless, and sometimes destructive. If they’ve endured nuclear threats, environmental crises, and internal strife, their story could guide us.

Interestingly, when I posed this to my father, a child specialist, he replied instantly: “I’d ask them what they teach their children.” That answer stopped me. It’s simple, yet it points to the future. Perhaps what we ask tells us less about aliens and more about how we define a good life.

Actionable Takeaways for Readers

1. Reflect on your values. What would your first question reveal about what you hold most important—knowledge, survival, love, or morality?
2. Use this thought experiment in conversation. Try asking friends, family, or students this question. It sparks debates that go far beyond science fiction.
3. Stay curious, but cautious. As history shows, contact between unequal civilisations can be dangerous. Curiosity must always be balanced with humility.

FAQs

Q: Has humanity already tried asking aliens questions?
Yes. The 1974 Arecibo Message was a radio transmission sent into space containing basic information about humanity. Voyager 1 and 2 also carry golden records with greetings, music, and images.

Q: What if aliens don’t communicate the way we do?
Linguists like Noam Chomsky suggest that while human language is unique, the principles of pattern recognition might be universal. SETI researchers explore mathematical and physical signals as a likely bridge.

Q: Is it safe to ask aliens questions?
This is debated. Stephen Hawking warned that reaching out could expose us to risk, much like Native Americans facing European colonisation. Others argue silence guarantees stagnation.

Q: Could AI help us ask better questions?
Possibly. Artificial intelligence already helps decode patterns in radio signals. Future AI could model scenarios and prepare us for various first-contact responses.

Read Also: If Your Cousin Has a Baby, What Is Your Relationship to the Child?

Final Thoughts

The question “What would you ask an alien civilisation?” is not about them—it’s about us. It asks us to articulate what we value most, whether it’s survival, meaning, or connection. Personally, I believe the most powerful question is one that bridges science and humanity: “How did you make it through your darkest times without losing hope?” Because at its core, that’s not just an alien question—it’s the eternal human one.

I’d love to hear your answer: If you had just one chance, what question would you ask? Share it in the comments—I promise you’ll be surprised at how much you learn about yourself and others.