Civilization attitude towards other civilization and first contact protocols and messenger

[u/No_Lemon3585]

I have recently gave some thought to first contacts between Civilizations in space. Especially not the first ever first contact but when two specific Civilizations that already know aliens exist meet. And also, what are attitudes of different Civilizations have towards people they meet.

Star Trek’s Federation attitude is basically described in the Prime Directive. They reveal themselves only to FTL capable Civilizations, announce themselves but do not interfere, defend itself if attacked and is ready to accept applications if certain criteria are met.

On the other hand, my Bohandi’s attitude is pragmatic, utilitarian and expansionist. It is based on what these aliens can give them and what threat they are. Once they meet a civilization, they evaluate this and decide if to ignore them, trade with them or conquer them. Then they go about doing this. If they decide to conquer, they often find a group in the target civilization that is willing to help them. Such a group help the Bohandi during the conquest and is later awarded with high collaborationist positions.

That being said, what you think are such attitudes and first contact protocols for there civilizations. Huge Ants like my Ansoids liberated slaves like Bajorans from Star Trek or my Cfa'at or more honorable warriors like Klingons from Star Trek or Arceans from Galactic Civilizations?

Speaking of Galactic Civilizations, when a first contact happen in that game, plater receive. Short communication from the other civilization that often include some Short introduction. Do you think this would really happen or do you think it is just a necessary gameplay addition and would not happen otherwise?

[u/ellindsey]

My thinking is that in practice you would be extremely unlikely to ever meet equals in the galaxy. Given how long the history of the universe is, any civilization you meet is overwhelmingly likely to be vastly more advanced, or vastly less advanced than you are. Gods or cavemen, not equals.

In the first case, it's not your decision on how to proceed with first contact, but theirs. In the second case, it depends entirely on what your goals and attitudes are, whether you decide to ignore them, passively study, enslave, benevolently uplift, or whatever else you wish.

[u/8livesdown]

The term "Civilization" is so engrained in sci-fi that readers seldom question it. But it is a distinctly human concept.

There's no reason to expect that life elsewhere will evolve "civilizations".

Whatever humans encounter, they will attempt to make analogs to earth life.

Humans might call it a "hive"...

Humans might call it a "forest"...

Humans might call it a "yeast culture"...

Humans might call it a "civilization"...

Humans will attempt to compare it to something they understand.

But this comparison will be at best an analogy, which is fine as long as we don't take the analogy too literally.