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

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around hypothetical human responses to extraterrestrial encounters, particularly referencing the character Klaatu from the film "The Day the Earth Stood Still." Participants explore various scenarios, including extreme reactions to perceived threats from aliens, as well as reflections on the narrative choices in science fiction storytelling.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests a drastic response of using humanity's entire stockpile of weapons against aliens, questioning the morality of allowing aliens to exterminate humanity without resistance.
  • Another participant notes that many science fiction stories overlook more extreme human responses, emphasizing the narrative focus on survival and sacrifice.
  • A third participant challenges the feasibility of wiping out alien threats with current technology, arguing that advanced nanotechnology could survive and thrive despite catastrophic events.
  • There is a mention of a preference for the original film over its remake, highlighting a nostalgic view of the storytelling style.
  • A participant expresses appreciation for specific scenes in the original film, indicating a personal connection to the narrative and its mathematical elements.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the nature of human responses to alien threats, with some advocating for extreme measures while others highlight the limitations of such actions. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the implications of these responses and the narrative choices in science fiction.

Contextual Notes

Some participants' claims rely on assumptions about technology and human behavior that are not universally accepted, and the discussion reflects a range of speculative scenarios without definitive conclusions.

BigDon
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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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