NASA's Kepler Satellite

The Scientific American is reporting on the Kepler satellite that will be launched later this week.

Next week brings a milestone in the search for extraterrestrial life with the scheduled launch Friday of NASA's Kepler satellite. The mission, named for 16th- and 17th-century German astronomer Johannes Kepler, will study a group of stars for three-plus years in search of subtle, periodic dips in stellar brightness—the telltale signs of planetary orbits. Although more than 300 planets outside the solar system have already been found using this method, among other techniques, Kepler's strength will lie in its instruments' sensitivity to smaller, cooler planets more hospitable to life and more like our own.

Can you imagine what would happen if worlds with life were actually found? Or let's say that these worlds have intelligent beings who realize we are here and contact us? How would human beings react?
I ask myself these questions because observing how we behave here on good old planet earth towards each other, I am not sure that we humans could get our act together to meet aliens from other worlds.
Would we take a "protectionist" attitude? (This is the new buzz word as of late.)
Would we listen to new aliens and learn about their way of life?
Would we try to exploit them?
Would they be friendly or hostile?
Will some think it is the end of the world?
A lot of people panic at the prospect of anything new and different. Aliens from another world would be REALLY different.
Could people handle a visit from another world? Who knows but I hope so.
I am happy that scientific research is continuing in this area and I do look forward to the day when we can participate in first contact.
Here is the entire ARTICLE. Enjoy!

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