NationStates Jolt Archive

Suppose through some mystical/scientific/ect. method you find out that there are half a billion sentient alien species occupying the galaxy along with us, from the technological to the downright primitive. You also find out that within the next 10,000 years humanity will be directly or indirectly the cause of the complete and total destruction of those half a billion alien species. And finally through this same mystical/scientific/ect. method you have the ability to completely destroy humanity and ensure the survivial of those half a billion species.

So what do you do, sacrifice humanity or the rest of the galaxy?

Have someone else decide.

Human pride worldwide! :eek:

Human power! :D

Kill them all and steal their resources.
I wounder what aliens taste like?

Alien chicken? :D

Cheat.

Eh, kill them and take their women as slaves. Mmmm alien sex.

I would create an uberoppressive regime.

Menschheit über alles? :D

Nothing comes before humanity.

I'd like to see how PETA supporters or other forms of ARA would respond.

Damn species traitors.

Are humans going to survive this cataclysm? If we are, than why not let us eradicate everyone and make ourselves unrivaled...besides, there are always more galaxies. 500 billion species would be the equivalent of one on Earth on a universal scale...

Are humans going to survive this cataclysm?
Humans are the cataclysm

Humans are the cataclysm

I mean, will we destroy ourselves in the process we created?

Why can't we just try and not destroy the universe now that we know we're going to.

I mean, will we destroy ourselves in the process we created?
No, we survive the destruction of the other half a million species

Well, since the vote is 10-0 for humanity, we should start coming up with derogatory terms for aliens to feul our anti-alien war propaganda machine!

:upyours:

Screw you, Aliens!

No, we survive the destruction of the other half a million species

Oh, well then I'd have to go with humanity wiping them out...if we have the technological capability to do that, then we probably deserve that position of power in our galaxy.

Death to Xenos!

IC: Hey, we Sagitians are ONE of those species! :eek: You humans are sure bloodthirsty! :(

Do we get to choose how we kill off all humans? If so, I'd simply modify them genetically enough so they're not humans anymore, so that they're semantically exempt from their world-destroying destiny.

I wonder what Mr Bush would do?

I think each and every human should have their say, and maybe folk other than Floridans count the votes.

Do we get to choose how we kill off all humans? If so, I'd simply modify them genetically enough so they're not humans anymore, so that they're semantically exempt from their world-destroying destiny.

Bah, a traitor to all humans :D

Oh, well then I'd have to go with humanity wiping them out...if we have the technological capability to do that, then we probably deserve that position of power in our galaxy.

The ability to wipe out others determines our position in the galaxy does it? We aint made a great job at manging this place with that logic have we. What if the real power amongst these aliens knows our way of thinking; they'll wipe us out for being beligerent buggers.

Well, since the vote is 10-0 for humanity, we should start coming up with derogatory terms for aliens to feul our anti-alien war propaganda machine!

:upyours:

Screw you, Aliens!

"Offers," "putties," "Extros," "Rockies," "Subhumans."

Heretical Xeno Scum?

The ability to wipe out others determines our position in the galaxy does it? We aint got a chance at managing this bloody place never mind anywhere else

I'm thinking on a galactic scale, the law of the jungle applies so absolutely. We need to claw our way to the top through any means necessary to satiate our desire for power...

IC: Hey, we Sagitians are ONE of those species! :eek: You humans are sure bloodthirsty! :(

We're HUMAN. We've spent a great many millennia fighting each other because there's no-one else. Discovering hostile aliens (lets face it, once you hear about the coming cataclysm you WILL be hostile) would finally permit humans to set aside their differences. We could take our prime evolutionary doctrine (Adapt and Overcome) and apply it to other things than our environment or our neighbours.

So, ultimately, your extinction will serve a grand and lofty purpose. Rejoice! You will play an essential role in the evolution of the master race.

Heretical Xeno Scum?
Purge them in the name of Holy Terra? :D

Purge them in the name of Holy Terra? :D

Whoa dudes, careful. I heard the whole concept of the Inquisition was based on a certain GamesWorkplace's legal department. :D

Edit: Gods, now I can see how the Cataclysm unfolds... it'll turn out some entire species is in breach of copyright or something.

Ahem.

*dons Bender hat*

KILL ALL HUMANS! KILL ALL HUMANS!

Purge them in the name of Holy Terra? :D
And he on the Golden Throne?:D

Purge them in the name of Holy Terra? :D

Of course. And I like the term "Xenos", it works well!

:eek: :mp5: :sniper:

Of course. And I like the term "Xenos", it works well!

:eek: :mp5: :sniper:
So, on the left, we've got the alien being murdered in cold blood. The murderer is in the middle, and the sniper...I'm assuming that's another alien trying to shoot the murderer to save the first alien. Or maybe they're all aliens.

I AM SO CONFUSED!

Purge them in the name of Holy Terra? :D

A war of terra, sounds familiar

So, on the left, we've got the alien being murdered in cold blood. The murderer is in the middle, and the sniper...I'm assuming that's another alien trying to shoot the murderer to save the first alien. Or maybe they're all aliens.

I AM SO CONFUSED!

Maritoll, for a catholic preist, or whatever, thats a pretty violent and bizarre little icon battle you got going there. Mp5 ambushes and sniper rounds going off and aint 'Xenos' a cough medicine?

I would take supreme executive authority over the human race via some sort of appropriately violent revolution or war of domination, and then make sure nothing of the sort happened.

Ahem.

*dons Bender hat*

KILL ALL HUMANS! KILL ALL HUMANS!
Bender:Hey, sexy mama... Wanna kill all humans?



Now, to answer the question, i need a little more ...
so would these other species have the same bafflingly irritating habit of killing off its own species over stupid political/religious reasons, and would probably achieve killing themselves off WITHOUT our help ALTHOUGH they indulge the same societally-contradictive behaviour?
That would condition my response. *nods*

the rest of the galaxy can and will defend itself from us just fine. what i stronly suggest is that humanity learn to grow up and behave itself and extend the same courtisy to others, as it demands for itself.

it might be poetic justice for earth to be enslaved and colonized, but this isn't very likely to be practical for anyone else to do either.

what's far more likely is that we'll discouver there's some kind of galactic united nations with real teeth to infoce galactic law, and we'll just be the new kid on the block, like any new kid on any block.

our collective ego as a species is just something we're all going to have to get over sooner or later one way or another.

=^^=
.../\...

Rather than kill them all, why don't we simply classify them according to their relative utility and kill off the most useless, enslave the partially useful, and accord equal status to those equal or superior to us?

Suppose through some mystical/scientific/ect. method you find out that there are half a billion sentient alien species occupying the galaxy along with us, from the technological to the downright primitive. You also find out that within the next 10,000 years humanity will be directly or indirectly the cause of the complete and total destruction of those half a billion alien species. And finally through this same mystical/scientific/ect. method you have the ability to completely destroy humanity and ensure the survivial of those half a billion species.

So what do you do, sacrifice humanity or the rest of the galaxy?

Of the two alternatives, I chose the third. Since we know one possible outcome, it's likely that we'll know the cause and be able to avoid it.

Attempts at peace, no matter how noble, will still result in destruction (or enslavement, that's a possibility too now). It's either Us or Them.

Well, given several factors, first that the aliens all die because humanity comes into existence, second that they were in existence prior to humanity coming into contact with them and finally that the aliens all die out because of their interactions with humanity, I say it is perfectly justified to eradicate the alien scum.

Why might this be you ask? Simple, we want to make the galaxy the best place we can, and clearly, because we are more capable at survivng than the dumbass aliens we are better. As such, the folks who are better deserve to survive. If they cannot react to the presence of a new and unprecedented factor in their existence, then too bad for them. It's a galaxy in which Darwin rules, not ethics.

Hell, in the history of the earth there are plenty of examples in which one species was displaced by the survival and success of another species. Why should it be any different on the galactic stage? We've got no common heritage with the aliens. Their survival doesn't ensure that our genes pass on, and it is antithetical for a species to desire its own destruction.

Bender:Hey, sexy mama... Wanna kill all humans?



Now, to answer the question, i need a little more ...
so would these other species have the same bafflingly irritating habit of killing off its own species over stupid political/religious reasons, and would probably achieve killing themselves off WITHOUT our help ALTHOUGH they indulge the same societally-contradictive behaviour?
That would condition my response. *nods*
It's because humans are naturally very aggressive, and we tend to funnel our aggression into political/religious/economical/other conflicts, and quite often we blow our tops. It's resulted in a desire to always be the one who wins the conflict, and we have received countless technological benefits from that.

If an alien species didn't partake in our seeming fratricide, then the odds are they wouldn't have the martial tradition that we have and they'd probably crumble before a rapid onslaught of organized military might.

the rest of the galaxy can and will defend itself from us just fine. what i stronly suggest is that humanity learn to grow up and behave itself and extend the same courtisy to others, as it demands for itself.

it might be poetic justice for earth to be enslaved and colonized, but this isn't very likely to be practical for anyone else to do either.

what's far more likely is that we'll discouver there's some kind of galactic united nations with real teeth to infoce galactic law, and we'll just be the new kid on the block, like any new kid on any block.

our collective ego as a species is just something we're all going to have to get over sooner or later one way or another.

=^^=
.../\...
I hate to be a thread nazi, but this thread has nothing to do with anyone's technical capabilities. We receive the two givens, and we are supposed to derive an ethical answer. Is it better to sacrifice the (well known and closely related) few (who happen to be use) to save the (distant and unknown) many (who happen to be them), or is it better to sacrifice the many (them) to save the few (us)

It's because humans are naturally very aggressive, and we tend to funnel our aggression into political/religious/economical/other conflicts, and quite often we blow our tops. It's resulted in a desire to always be the one who wins the conflict, and we have received countless technological benefits from that.

If an alien species didn't partake in our seeming fratricide, then the odds are they wouldn't have the martial tradition that we have and they'd probably crumble before a rapid onslaught of organized military might.
That would definitely make us the more evil of the two, then. I wonder how moral i am ....

The circumstances here matter very much.

If humanity is directly involved with the destruction of these alien species, it would lean my answer towards kill humanity. If humanity is indirectly involved with the destruction of these alien species, it would lean my answer towards let humanity live.

There are other factors too, like is humanity the evil one and the others good (kill humanity)? Is humanity the good one and the others evil (kill the others)? Are they both good (undecided)? Are they both evil (kill the others)?

Also, can't I decide to let humanity live, but go there and try to stop the destruction of the alien species?

There are other factors too, like is humanity the evil one and the others good (kill humanity)? Is humanity the good one and the others evil (kill the others)? Are they both good (undecided)? Are they both evil (kill the others)?
Let's go with the Ender's Game scenario. Neither of us understand the other. We are both afraid of the other. We would both move to kill the other. There is no single incident where initiation of hostilities can be discovered. Neither is good, neither is bad. It just happens, much as a ball perched atop a steep hill only needs a slight push to make its way to the bottom.

The circumstances here matter very much.

If humanity is directly involved with the destruction of these alien species, it would lean my answer towards kill humanity. If humanity is indirectly involved with the destruction of these alien species, it would lean my answer towards let humanity live.

There are other factors too, like is humanity the evil one and the others good (kill humanity)? Is humanity the good one and the others evil (kill the others)? Are they both good (undecided)? Are they both evil (kill the others)?

Also, can't I decide to let humanity live, but go there and try to stop the destruction of the alien species?

Yes and no. There are 500 million different races, and there's more then one way to wipe one out over 10,000 years. Suppose we destroy one race because they declared war on us and were fanatical about either killing us off or dying off themselves. They all die, but it doesn't go unnoticed; several other alien races that were under their protection are left defenseless as a bunch of space bugs swallow them up. A coalition of other species go on to destroy the space bugs since they threaten to swallow them up as well. However, the space bugs were a major crop of another alien species, and weakened with starvation they descend into anarchy and are conquered and eliminated by an oppritunistic genocidal race.

No matter what, Humanity's existence will cause every other race in the galaxy to be eliminated, possibly enslaved if we're like that, or reduced to so few survivors that it's unlikely they'll survive as a species for too long. With humanity out of the way, the galaxy won't become some uptopian paradise, but the aliens will still exist.

Let's go with the Ender's Game scenario. Neither of us understand the other. We are both afraid of the other. We would both move to kill the other. There is no single incident where initiation of hostilities can be discovered. Neither is good, neither is bad. It just happens, much as a ball perched atop a steep hill only needs a slight push to make its way to the bottom.

If I remember correctly, in Ender's Game the aliens found and attacked us first. Back to the topic, my one question is, how long do you have the ability to destroy the human race? If it is indefinite, then work towards peace and, if it seems impossible, pull the plug on humans. If you only get one chance to destroy mankind, then I am undecided.

If I remember correctly, in Ender's Game the aliens found and attacked us first. Back to the topic, my one question is, how long do you have the ability to destroy the human race? If it is indefinite, then work towards peace and, if it seems impossible, pull the plug on humans. If you only get one chance to destroy mankind, then I am undecided.

It's a complete wipe; massive plague, asteroid impact, the planet blowing up, whatever. There's not a single human left, and if some alien xenologists come to our planet looking for ancient races they'll find a desert world with no trace of our existence (if the world is still there).

It's a complete wipe; massive plague, asteroid impact, the planet blowing up, whatever. There's not a single human left, and if some alien xenologists come to our planet looking for ancient races they'll find a desert world with no trace of our existence (if the world is still there).
That doesn't answer my question, which is: can you delay the decision to destroy humanity and attempt peace, or do you only get a one shot now or never deal?

That doesn't answer my question, which is: can you delay the decision to destroy humanity and attempt peace, or do you only get a one shot now or never deal?
It's a one shot thing, save the human race or save the galactic races

Yes and no. There are 500 million different races, and there's more then one way to wipe one out over 10,000 years. Suppose we destroy one race because they declared war on us and were fanatical about either killing us off or dying off themselves. They all die, but it doesn't go unnoticed; several other alien races that were under their protection are left defenseless as a bunch of space bugs swallow them up. A coalition of other species go on to destroy the space bugs since they threaten to swallow them up as well. However, the space bugs were a major crop of another alien species, and weakened with starvation they descend into anarchy and are conquered and eliminated by an oppritunistic genocidal race.

No matter what, Humanity's existence will cause every other race in the galaxy to be eliminated, possibly enslaved if we're like that, or reduced to so few survivors that it's unlikely they'll survive as a species for too long. With humanity out of the way, the galaxy won't become some uptopian paradise, but the aliens will still exist.

Ok, then I choose that humanity lives at the cost of the alien species (which was already my poll choice).

I'd probably

1) Be skeptical,
2) Debate the possibility of free will in a predetermined event,
3) Dismiss the whole thing as a prank,
4) Go on my merry way, thereby leaving Humanity to do as they will, the future can sort itself out.


Only problem is, I don't get an option in the poll. :p

So, on the left, we've got the alien being murdered in cold blood. The murderer is in the middle, and the sniper...I'm assuming that's another alien trying to shoot the murderer to save the first alien. Or maybe they're all aliens.

I AM SO CONFUSED!

They're a just bunch of smilies :p

Of course, it's always interesting that they are still called "smilies" even when they are shooting guns :sniper: :gundge: :mp5:

or not smiling at all :(

:D

They're a just bunch of smilies :p

Of course, it's always interesting that they are still called "smilies" even when they are shooting guns :sniper: :gundge: :mp5:

or not smiling at all :(

:D


Also known as 'emoticons'.

Quite a neat contraction of 'emotion icons', but sounds like something you'd see in Transformers. :D

I believe in the equality of sentient beings. For the greater good, I would destroy humanity.

4) Go on my merry way, thereby leaving Humanity to do as they will, the future can sort itself out.


Only problem is, I don't get an option in the poll. :p
Which means Humanity proceeds to conquer the galaxy and exterminate the alien species

Your option is on the poll :D

Also known as 'emoticons'.

Quite a neat contraction of 'emotion icons', but sounds like something you'd see in Transformers. :D

Wow. I'm so tired, I forgot that that word existed :eek:

Which means Humanity proceeds to conquer the galaxy and exterminate the alien species

Your option is on the poll :D

That implies... well, announces that I think the aliens have it coming, which I don't.

Right or Wrong, the future isn't mine to decide, let time sort it out.

Since the future can be changed, I see no good reason to wipe out humanity yet.

What's with all of the debate, I thought we all agreed to kill the Aliens. Come on people, THEY'RE ALIENS, we have next to nothing in common with them and you have never met them. Frankly, in that scenario if you don't choose your own species over all others (no matter how many) Then in my mind at least you are a traitor to the Human Species and a loser in the evolutionary race.

:( :sniper: :sniper: :sniper: :sniper: :sniper:

(That represents an Alien being killed by a firing squad, bye the way)

Bah, if only we could have emoticons switch directions, then we could have grand ol' battles :D

Humanity must be destroyed, for the greater good.

Here's the only valid reply to that:
Suffer not the alien to live!
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y223/GermanNightmare/SW.gif
In the name of Russ and Him on Earth:
Death to all Xenos, purge them with rightous zeal and holy flame!

Thought for the day:
"The enemy of my enemy dies next!" - Lord Solar Macharius (attr.), 'Maxims of the Eminent'

Hey, where'd you get that icon? And does it come in Black Templar colors? :D

It depends.

How certain is your knowledge of the future? Do you somehow know that regardless of what you do (or what anyone else does) short of annihilating humankind, the rest of the universe will die?

If so, then I would be willing to sacrifice humanity for the greater good.

If, however, there is even the smallest chance that things might take a different path, I think it is worthwhile to give the species that chance. Why not try some other means to change the future, besides extinction?

I believe in the equality of sentient beings. For the greater good, I would destroy humanity.

amen.

I'd save humanity.

Easy: I choose the side with the ideals I agree with, regardless of species. Just like I would not let "race" influence my decision if this were an "all whites vs all blacks" thing.

Since aliens tend to be alien, high chance that humanity will be picked- but if it isn't.. too bad.

How certain is your knowledge of the future? Do you somehow know that regardless of what you do (or what anyone else does) short of annihilating humankind, the rest of the universe will die?

100%, however it isn't the entire universe, just our galaxy. What happens after that, who knows.

Do we get to choose how we kill off all humans? If so, I'd simply modify them genetically enough so they're not humans anymore, so that they're semantically exempt from their world-destroying destiny.

A simple name change is all that's required.

We're neomrans now.

Here's the only valid reply to that:
Suffer not the alien to live!
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y223/GermanNightmare/SW.gif
In the name of Russ and Him on Earth:
Death to all Xenos, purge them with rightous zeal and holy flame!

Thought of the day:
"The enemy of my enemy dies next!" - Lord Solar Macharius (attr.), 'Maxims of the Eminent'

Seconded, although replace Russ with Dorn or Sigismund :p

are the alien women hot? I need to know this before I make my decision.

Well I thought this through, and it seems one way to decide is to look at it thusly: Would you kill a huge number of species of animals to save the human race? Because that is what they would be, maybe intelegent animals, maybe more intelegent than us, but under the definition of animals, that is what they would be. And I am afraid I treasure human life above that of animals, plus I won't kill the many innocent humans who have nothing to do with this.

Puts a whole different spin on the word 'racism'.

I'd save humanity.
What if you were summarily killed for it, by humans, instead of the glory one might think you would get for it?

I really can't cast my vote until someone answers the question as to how hot the female aliens are.

I really can't cast my vote until someone answers the question as to how hot the female aliens are.
It varies ;)

Hey, where'd you get that icon? And does it come in Black Templar colors? :D
I found it somewhere in this planetary network but I really don't know where the Mechanicus might have placed it now. It used to be an Ultramarine and I took the liberty to change it into a Space Wolf. (Although the color palette doesn't really allow for Space Wolves Gray...).

Seconded, although replace Russ with Dorn or Sigismund :p
Well met, Brother Captain! Although I don't believe the Great Wolf would be too pleased to see me do that.

It varies ;)
A lot, I might add. I don't really dig the blueies, nor the pointy ears. (Neither fraction of them. One has added another unspeakable deity to trouble this galaxy and the other one even worships it! Heresy!!!)
Don't know about female greenskins - haven't seen any (besides two BloodBowl cheerleaders and they ain't pretty!).

Maybe we should introduce him to some daemonettes? (Although they really do not count as alien...)