NationStates Jolt Archive

Well, my issue didn't get througt the first time, so here we go again, your comments are welcome. :)

First Contact or Cover-up?

A giant radio-telescope in @@NAME@@, designed for astronomical research, received a strange radio signal earlier this day. Coming from the Vega-system, the signal has caused great unrest under high military commanders and scientists present at the site. Question is what to do now.



[option] “We should send a signal back to try to establish contact” says professor @@RANDOMNAME@@ “so we can share technology and cultural knowledge. Think of the possibilities, we’d have the first man to walk on other planets and perhaps even to visit other solar systems. But we should inform the population about this signal to avoid panic.”
[effect] the population is in panic after the recent announcement that alien radio signals are being received


[option]“We must keep it a secret” says General @@RANDOMNAME@@, “who knows what kind of an uprising could happen if this leaks out. The ones who have sent this signal are probably the same who abduct the @@ANIMAL@@. I say we declare the entire surrounding of the installation forbidden terrain and deny ever one access, so my people can study this in all rest.”
[effect] some parts of @@NAME@@ are suddenly declared forbidden territory by the military
[stats] government spending increases, tax rises


[option]“This has probably something do to with the recent sightings of UFO’s here in the region @@REGION@@” says a man in a dark coat standing in the far corner of the room, “You should increase the entire budget, so we can…..uhm….just increase the government spending, we’ll find a way to get the money without everyone noticing.”
[effect] citizens are accusing the government of keeping a black budget
[stats] political freedom decreases

Sorry, it's a bit late, I don't want to sound rude, only to criticise you:

1. Use possible and reasonable tech
2. No validity is stated
3. The issue is a bit too hyothetical IMNSCO
4. Options are missing.

thanks Rej,

anyone else?

Valid only for nations that have searched for extraterrestrial life.

Option 3 raises taxes.

Option 1 raises political freedoms.

It's not bad. Any idea why it has been rejected?

Unlike Rej, I don't find it that unrealistic.. We're used to some extreme issues : issues about making burgers out of corpses (issue # 140), barcoding citizens (issue # 21)… just naming a few that come to mind. In fact almost all issues are somewhat ridiculous, have radical options, or have exagerated/unwanted side-effects. I don't think that's the problem.


[option]"We must keep it a secret" says General @@RANDOMNAME@@, "who knows what kind of an uprising could happen if this leaks out. The ones who have sent this signal are probably the same who abduct the @@ANIMAL@@. I say we declare the entire surrounding of the installation forbidden terrain and deny ever one access, so my people can study this in all rest."
[effect] some parts of @@NAME@@ are suddenly declared forbidden territory by the military
[stats] government spending increases, tax rises

- This option looks good... I like the "Area-51" kind of reaction, and the abduction-part. Real funny.
- The stats look good... supporting the military means the defence budget (and taxes) will go up.
- Only negative comment I can come up with is that it's a bit similar to the issue about the sci-fi goodies (#53).


[option]"This has probably something do to with the recent sightings of UFO's here in the region @@REGION@@" says a man in a dark coat standing in the far corner of the room, "You should increase the entire budget, so we can…..uhm….just increase the government spending, we'll find a way to get the money without everyone noticing."
[effect] citizens are accusing the government of keeping a black budget
[stats] political freedom decreases
- I like the reference to the issue (#81) about the UFO sightings.
- This option resembles the option with the General. He's also asking money, but it's unclear what he would like to fund... what effect on which variable it would have (Administration? Welfare? Healthcare?...).
- A posible solution could be to merge it with the General-option...


[option] "We should send a signal back to try to establish contact" says professor @@RANDOMNAME@@ "so we can share technology and cultural knowledge. Think of the possibilities, we'd have the first man to walk on other planets and perhaps even to visit other solar systems. But we should inform the population about this signal to avoid panic."
[effect] the population is in panic after the recent announcement that alien radio signals are being received

Maybe you could split this one in 2 or more choices :
- The professor wouldn't inform the population to avoid panic, asks secrecy (and lots of funding for his little project). BTW, I didn't exactly understand the reasoning behind "informing the population, so they won't panic", because the reverse makes more sence to me.
- Your PR-guy says you should make it public. An ET-hype (movies, t-shirts,...) could also stimulate the economy by selling all sorts of alien-gadgets. On the other hand, the population could panic (and maybe even riots), which means crime could increase. Another possible consequence could be that dooms-day sects start to appear in your nation.

It's not bad. Any idea why it has been rejected?

Unlike Rej, I don't find it that unrealistic.. We're used to some extreme issues : issues about making burgers out of corpses (issue # 140), barcoding citizens (issue # 21)… just naming a few that come to mind. In fact almost all issues are somewhat ridiculous, have radical options, or have exagerated/unwanted side-effects. I don't think that's the problem.



The other issues use already existing technology and at least the conditions for it are possible. Besides that were some options and I think the entire issue unrealistic too. That's a difference in quality

BTW: It's Rejis, not Reji or Rej

The other issues use already existing technology and at least the conditions for it are possible. Besides that were some options and I think the entire issue unrealistic too. That's a difference in quality

BTW: It's Rejis, not Reji or Rej

Unrealistic technology??? Possible conditions???

If you're referring to the "radio-telescope".. this is one:
http://www.naic.edu/about/photos/aoviews/tescop.jpg
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radio_telescope


If you're referring to the Vega system.. here it is:
http://www.solstation.com/stars/vegalyra.jpg
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vega

This issue looks fine.

#53
"…the possiblity of creating orbital weapons platforms has become a topic of intense debate."
[...]
We should start developing Orbital Weapons! Space Marines! Armed Spacecraft! We would rule the region, and look cool doing it!

#81
What is the price of a few hundred Radio Telescopes compared to the benefit of living in peace and harmony with our brethren of the stars?"


#97
What we need to do is get everyone recycling their waste! What we have left we can shoot into space in specially-made space shuttles and we'll never have to think about it again!


The technology isn't really the problem I think..

improved version:

addd option, several stats alteredFirst Contact or Cover-up?

A giant radio-telescope in @@NAME@@, designed for astronomical research, received a strange radio signal earlier this day. Coming from the Vega-system, the signal has caused great unrest under high military commanders and scientists present at the site. Question is what to do now.



[option] “We should send a signal back to try to establish contact” says professor @@RANDOMNAME@@ “so we can share technology and cultural knowledge. Think of the possibilities, we’d have the first man to walk on other planets and perhaps even to visit other solar systems. But we should keep this quiet to avoid panic among the population, they aren't ready for this yet.”
[effect] the goverment refuses to comment on the reported reception of alien signals
[stats]tax rises, slightly increased military spending

[option]"I agree, but I think we should inform the public", concurs PR-agent @@RANDOMNAME@@, " just think about it: We inform the public and we can sell all kinds of ET-goodies and the best part, the profit goes to the goverment. Ooh sure, some could panick but the profit weighs up to that."
[effect]the population riots after the announcement of scientists contacting alien lifeforms
[stats]crime increases, lowers tax


[option]“We must keep it a secret” says General @@RANDOMNAME@@, “who knows what kind of an uprising could happen if this leaks out. The ones who have sent this signal are probably the same who abduct the @@ANIMAL@@. I say we declare the entire surrounding of the installation forbidden terrain and deny ever one access, so my people can study this in all rest.”
[effect] some parts of @@NAME@@ are suddenly declared forbidden territory by the military
[stats] military spending increases slightly, tax rises


[option]“This has probably something do to with the recent sightings of UFO’s here in the region @@REGION@@” says a man in a dark coat standing in the far corner of the room, “You should increase the entire budget, so we can…..uhm….just increase the government spending, we’ll find a way to get the money without everyone noticing.”
[effect] citizens are accusing the government of keeping a black budget
[stats] political freedom decreases, military spending greatly increases

Unrealistic technology??? Possible conditions???

If you're referring to the "radio-telescope".. this is one:
http://www.naic.edu/about/photos/aoviews/tescop.jpg
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radio_telescope


If you're referring to the Vega system.. here it is:
http://www.solstation.com/stars/vegalyra.jpg
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vega

This issue looks fine.

I am interested in astronomy so I know that, but I also know how small the chance is that aliens would contact us or send something is utterly small. it is more likely that SDI finally works.

The new option 2 should lower taxes.

done

no more comments?

Wow, sound sort of like my screensaver issue, though mine deals with a 4 year old program and yours deals with a random signal (like the one caught by seti@home). The only new good issues left deal with political consequences of new technology. The only problem is that new technology is just that, “new”. We don't know the outcomes, the actually political choices, or whether or not any of this new technology will flop and have no effect or become something like the Internet.

Though I would like issues on stem cell research, P2P programs, and genetically engineered crops, these things might be too new for NS.

Though I would like issues on stem cell research, P2P programs, and genetically engineered crops, these things might be too new for NS.
nah, just look at 'orbital armagggedon'


more comments? otherwise it goes in again

submitted on maandag 13 september 2004

While you dont say it directly you might as well announce aliens have made contact. You need to offer the possibility that it could be something else, you wouldnt know where its from... just the direction. You seem to only give the option that aliens DO exist.

Maybe an "ignore it as we dont know that it isnt emmisions from something else" type option. That doesnt make it certain that aliens have found you.

Until alien contact is revealed (and happens?), your issue is invalid for that reason maybe?