--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Supposing we knew that up there is some…" description: "\"Supposing we knew that up there is some alien civilization and it's sending radio signals our way we should not tell the public where that is. We could..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b10/paul-davies-3810_aliens_supposing-we-knew-that-up-there-is-some_513813.jpg" --- # Supposing we knew that up there is some alien civilization… ![“Supposing we knew that up there is some alien civilization and it's sending radio signals our way we should not tell the public where that is. We could say that we've picked up a signal, but we should not tell them where for the simple reason that anybody could commandeer a radio telescope, set…” quote by Paul Davies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b10/paul-davies-3810_aliens_supposing-we-knew-that-up-there-is-some_513813.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b10/paul-davies-3810_aliens_supposing-we-knew-that-up-there-is-some_513813.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b10/paul-davies-3810_aliens_supposing-we-knew-that-up-there-is-some_513813.jpg) > “Supposing we knew that up there is some alien civilization and it's sending radio signals our way we should not tell the public where that is. We could say that we've picked up a signal, but we should not tell them where for the simple reason that anybody could commandeer a radio telescope, set themselves up as some self appointed spokesperson of mankind and start beaming all sorts of crazy messages back to the aliens.” [Paul Davies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-davies/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Public disclosure of alien signal locations could enable malicious misuse of telescopes, risking chaotic communication. **In simple terms:** Keeping signal sites secret prevents hijacking. Key Takeaway Protect source information. Themes security communication ethics Mood cautious thoughtful Type ethical philosophical When to use this quote - government policy - scientific community - media reporting Key Concepts information control alien contact Questions to Reflect On - Should the public know about potential extraterrestrial contact? - What safeguards can be implemented? A Different Perspective Transparency may build trust but also risk misuse. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Alien Civilization](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/alien-civilization-1104943/) [Aliens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/aliens/) [Civilization](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/civilization/) [Civilization Sending](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/civilization-sending-4347942/) [Crazy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/crazy/) [Knew Alien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/knew-alien-4347941/) [Mankind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mankind/) [Messages](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/messages/) [Messages Aliens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/messages-aliens-4347940/) [Radio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/radio/) [Reason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reason/) [Self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self/) [Should](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/should/) [Signals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/signals/) [Simple](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/simple/) [Space](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/space/) [Supposing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/supposing/) [Telescopes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/telescopes/) [Way](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/way/) ## Related quotes > [No company is hiring anyone to search for messages from aliens. Most people don't seem to think there's much benefit to it. 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