Questions for all to ponder

[Rickyrod70]

I have a hypothetical to pose to all. Lets suppose for the sake af this discussion that the events of BGTOS were real and that both the Pegasus, Galactica and the Rag Tag Fleet had made it to Earth.
What do you feel would happen?
What would be the social, political, and religious ramifications of their arrival on Earth?
Would Earthlings accept the newcomers or shun them?
Would they be met with fear, anger or with kindness and understanding?

On the flip side would the colonials be able to adapt to life on Earth?
Would they be able to settle down to life here?
If so where would they settle ?

And finally would the people of Earth belive them about the Cylon threat or would it take an attack to convince them?


:colwar:

[BST]

I have a hypothetical to pose to all. Lets suppose for the sake af this discussion that the events of BGTOS were real and that both the Pegasus, Galactica and the Rag Tag Fleet had made it to Earth.

>> The answers below are assuming this happened in the present-day timeframe:

What do you feel would happen?

Mass panic.

What would be the social, political, and religious ramifications of their arrival on Earth?

Social - same answer as above;
Political - once the initial shock of their arrival wore off, you'd probably have "politics as usual";
Religious - there would be a dramatic increase in attendance at worship services. (It's amazing how many folks suddenly find their religion only when they perceive something bad happening to them.)


Would they be met with fear, anger or with kindness and understanding?

Initially, the Colonials would be met with extreme fear by most people; only after people "got to know them" would their opinion change.

Would Earthlings accept the newcomers or shun them?

Probably shun them, at first. Then, after we got to know them, we'd probably "warm up" to them.


On the flip side would the colonials be able to adapt to life on Earth?

In all likelihood, yes, unless something about Earth's biosphere prevented them from doing so.

Would they be able to settle down to life here?

Depending on the outcome of the above question, they would probably have less of a problem acclimating to us than we would to them.

If so where would they settle ?

Wherever they wanted.

And finally would the people of Earth belive them about the Cylon threat or would it take an attack to convince them?

Depends on how well the Colonials told their story.



Sorry for such a pessimistic view of us; I just don't feel that we, as a people have progressed enough, in terms of education and tolerance of the other inhabitants of this shining planet know as Earth, to begin dealing with people from other planets. We've got a long way to go but, hopefully, we're on our way.

Thanks for the questions, rickyrod.

BST

[Dawg]

I've thought about this, off and on, all day - and BST has answered very well, probably better than I could.

However, there is an even dimmer possibility. Regardless of any other consideration, Galactica and the fleet arriving here, now, would result in an incredible culture shock - and our civilization would never be the same. Nothing - politics, social issues, religious issues - would be the same. If (and it's a pretty big "if", given our world's current development) we were able to rise above it, their arrival would certainly herald the end of business as usual, and the need for us to completely rethink our worldview.

If things degenerate, though, we would be much better off if they never announced their arrival.

I would hope that we would be able to recover from the shock and participate with them in the defense of humankind, though.

I am
Dawg

[Charybdis]

I think I agree with BST. Just think about it, a huge fleet of spaceships arrive and introduce themselves as our long lost space brothers.

Not only the confusion and panic it would cause, but we would have to adjust our entire thinking as to religious origins, God, etc.... it would be very scary if you ask me...

[amberstar]

Thanks Rickyrod for this question, or group of questions. Here is what I think would happen.

Religion -I would have to agree with BST.
It would be exciting to a few humans but still I think the churches would be packed, standing room only! Yes, there would be a few that would welcome our brothers with open arms and be ready to follow or offer whatever help we could, but mass panic would consume most. It would scare the pogees out of most.

Political, I have to again agree with BST.
I think the Commander of the fleet, most likley it would be Apollo, along with the new council of 12 would have extended meetings with our own United Nation Leaders. They would be mostly interrrested in trading technology. Once the shock wore off I think it would be back to normal opperations once again, or as normal as could be expected.

Would the fleet adapt to Earth as their new home and settle in?
I think this would be a major transition for the people of the fleet as well as us on earth. At first to finally be on a planet would seem like a dream to most of the fleet, but then we are so far behiend of them in technology and mental compacity, I feel they would grow tired of us and yearn for their own home.
We as humans can not get along with one another, for centuries we have been at war with one another over anything from land, religious views ect... Just look at where we are now, we haven't evolved, mentally speaking, too far from where we began. How could our people be expected to bond with brothers of man from another world and fight a common enemy. There is still too much fighting among ourselves for that to happen.

Our natural resources pose another question. Would we have adquate supplies or even the materials needed for tylium? Tylium is needed to support their military way of life, it is extremely rare and I'm not sure if it is even found in our world.
The question that matters most is :
Would Earth be strong enough to form a base to fight the cylons?
Sadly, I feel not. A lot of changes would have to take place and if that happens life would never be the same for us.

Amberstar

[nightscape2112]

what do i feel would happen if bsg landed today, it would be another cover up like 1947 roswell. who knows that could have been the colonials landing then, thats where they got the idea of battlestar galactica.

would the people of earth shun them or welcome them, we cant even get along with all the people on this planet. people are still fighting over race and religion. so i think most people would try only to befriend the colonials to see what they could get out of it. after they get what they want, they would turn on the colonials.

Would they be met with fear, anger or with kindness and understanding?
most would fear but some would greet them with kindness.


Would they be able to settle down to life here? yes

If so where would they settle ? roswell, new mexico

finally would the people of Earth belive them about the Cylon threat or would it take an attack to convince them?
they would have to be attacked to believe it.

nightscape

[Stray Viper]

The real issue here is what time period in Earth's history will/would the Galactica-led fleet arrive? I always imagined them arriving sometime in our future. I think that would be a critical factor, and here's why:

I've thought about this question before, in terms of TOS, and to me the most immediate concern is the Cylons. Here we have a fugitive fleet of mostly civilian craft led by a single Battlestar. They are in effect fleeing from Cylon tyranny, looking towards Earth as their last refuge and final bastion against the enemy Cylons. It would be sad indeed if they arrive and instead of finding powerful allies to help them, they find us with our petty differences and very limited technology. The Galactica would be forced to defend an entire planet by itself. Mankind would be doomed against the Cylons.

That is something that struck me from TOS. Adama was searching for Earth for help. There was nowhere else to run. Naturally I feel that when the fleet eventually finds Earth, they will find us in the future, with a united planet and powerful technology. Enough to counter the Cylon threat, even defeat it.

[CaptainTux]

I have a few theories. Which would you rather hear.
1. Pegasus gets here first.
2. Galactica and rag tag fleet arrive first.
3. Both arrive together.
4. All of the above.

If you choose 4, it will be a looooong post. :D

[CaptainTux]

Let's pretend that either Galactica gets here first or is joined by Pegasus. I am assuming that a scouting squadron would find earth and report back. From there I see research by Galactica and the scientists to asses the planet.

In listening to our radio and television broadcasts they will see we are a world divided socially, politically, etc. I also assume they will be able to peek at our world wide web.

They will be confused that the 13th tribe does not know its roots and somehow went backwards. They will be facewd with a problem. We lack the technical strengths to help them against the cylons that are sure to come. If they leave and the cylons track them, earth is sure to perish. They will be morally bound to thier brothers in humanity to make the final stand here and now.

I could see the Galactica entering our system after the research broadcasting messages of peace as they approach our orbit. Them message would have to be heard by all so no government could suppress it.

As their arrival approaches the governments would be in turmoil and the market would take a dive. Markets hate uncertainty. The usual suspects in relegeous leadership would voice harsh criticism and paranoia would rule.

If we or another government launched an airial or nuclear (doubtful) assault on the orbiting ship and shuttles, it would be halted easily.

Once our scientist got to see and touch them up close the scientific world would go ballastic. Evolution would be shot to hell and archeaologists would want to knwo why no evidence has been found of this nature. UFO speciualists would have a field day.

The Galactica would be wise to share its medical and technological strenths to the UN as an olive branch to convinve them of the threat.

The scary part would be the reaction of natrions that do not ally with nations in league with Galactica. Pretend the US and the UK joined up. Would North Korea be happy? China? Would relegeous fervor drive more Al-Quaida assaults? What of Isreal and other faith driven countries?

It would be ugly. Could Galactica ramp up earth for an assault in time? Depends. If we survived, it would be bloody and then there would be unification. Unicification in time for a bloody new history in the human race.

With ort without a cylon invasion, it would be decades before the 12 tribes would incorporate well here and the culture shock would take time. The medical and technology benefits would be great, but social ills have rarely been cured by bettter health care and cooler computers.

Another thought, as the 12 tribes incorporate, they would ally with seperate nations. Could be sticky as they live as a society instead of a martial law.