And The Actual Human Response To Keanu Reeve's Klaatu Would Be....

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The discussion centers on a hypothetical scenario where humanity releases its entire stockpile of "engineered criticality devices" in response to an alien extermination threat. The argument suggests that if humanity is doomed, it might as well take drastic action rather than comply with alien demands. The conversation highlights the often overlooked, darker possibilities in science fiction narratives, emphasizing that typical heroic responses may not consider extreme measures. Key points include the resilience of nanotechnology, which could survive and thrive even after catastrophic events, rendering human efforts to combat the aliens ineffective. The discussion also touches on the nature of aliens, suggesting their fundamentally different perspectives and motivations. Additionally, there are references to classic sci-fi films, illustrating a fondness for stories that explore complex themes of survival and morality.
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A six way, all out release of humanity's entire stockpile of "engineered criticality devices" and slag the planet.

The damned aliens were exterminating humanity anyway, why should they get what they want, while we go black?

I'd bet money neither the movie's writers nor the extraterrestrials thought of that one.

As that wise man Stan Lee once said, "Humans are unruly, therefore cannot be ruled."
 
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Many great Sci fi stories never consider the more psychopathic responses that are inconceivable yet possible to the ordinary mind.

The basic premise humanity’s hero is to come out alive with minimal loss of life. Its also important to save the dog. There is also a character who will sacrifice his/her life for the group. Anything else makes a story less readable or watchable.
 
Unfortunately:

- nanites don't gather in cities, so wiping them out would be virtually impossible with our weapons
- as von Neumann devices, only a single one need survive to carry on the species
- they are immune to societal collapse - they don't need any infrastructure to thrive and rebuild
- they can eat the basic elements, so even a charred planet would not stop them
- they reproduce geometrically, so the whole disaster would only set them back a few days

Sorry.

"The thing about aliens is, they're alien."
— Gregory Benford
 
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Don't you mean Michael Rennie? Oh that's right they did a bad remake...I do so love the original. It is so perfectly black and white.
 
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Klatu Barada Nikto!

My favorite scene was when Klatu solves the differential equations for Prof Barnard. I saw it on TV one evening, while studying for my DE course and recognized the technique shown.

Of course, I liked the initial landing, and when Klatu trades the boy for some money with his diamonds and the boy says okay, but my mom doesn’t like it if I cheat people, and when Klatu tells the boy about the spaceship’s propulsion...

I guess I really liked the Michael Ronnie movie.
 

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