Have you noticed that in alien visitation films or similar television episodes the typical reaction is that people start looting (Arrival), committing acts of terrorism (Contact) or just generally acting unruly? This is often treated as “of course everyone will act that way!,” but I remain unconvinced.  For instance, in Arrival the presumed aliens don’t even do anything but hover over an empty field in an unpopulated area.  Yet, for some reason, alien hovering automatically leads to uncontrolled looting! I don’t buy it.  Then, I suppose, given the recent results of the American election and its ramifications, I should not necessarily have high expectations from people in general.

Don’t forget….The Physics and Astronomy of Science Fiction (by me, Steven Bloom) available from McFarland Publishing and on your favorite online bookseller, such as Amazon and Barnes and Noble.