Reference no: EM132920374

For the following hypothetical situation, state what decision you recommend and why you recommend it. Weigh the pros and cons, and describe your process of weighing the pros and cons:

A radio telescope recently detected an unusual signal beamed in our direction from somewhere across the Milky Way galaxy. After six months of study by the world's best scientists, it is agreed that the signal comes from an intelligent source and contains the message which says, when translated into English, "Can you hear us? Describe yourself and where you are located." The continuously repeating message also includes a very brief description of the other civilization, indicating that they are a hydrocarbon-based life form that lives on two planets around a central star. Their signal gave no indication they know we exist. You, a leading government official, have been asked by your president for your opinion about how or whether Earth should respond to the message.