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1995-08-20
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Path: newserv.ksu.ksu.edu!moe.ksu.ksu.edu!vixen.cso.uiuc.edu!howland.reston.ans.net!usenet.ins.cwru.edu!cleveland.Freenet.Edu!dz573
From: dz573@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Andreas Mueller)
Newsgroups: alt.startrek.creative
Subject: The Theory of Non-Interference Supported
Date: 23 Apr 1994 09:32:19 GMT
Organization: Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH (USA)
Lines: 133
Message-ID: <2papv3$rdg@usenet.INS.CWRU.Edu>
Reply-To: dz573@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Andreas Mueller)
NNTP-Posting-Host: thor.ins.cwru.edu
The Theory of Non-Interference
The Prime Directive:
Within the next five hundred years, we will have made
major advances in space technology, the possibility of our
coming into contact with other species will grow. Such first
contact must be carefully regulated, for we do not wish to
repeat the mistakes of our Ancestors. Right here on Earth,
failed first contacts and diplomatic procedures, have led to
long and devastating wars. We must establish a protocol, a
moral code which can be used universally.
For such a policy to be universal, it must take into
account all possible beliefs and governments. To do so is
impossible. Therefore I propose that we abide by a Theory of
Non-Interference, such as the one featured in Paramount
Picture's "Star Trek: The Next Generation." The theory is
one of peace. It dictates that we as a people have no right
to interfere with, or judge other races and peoples. I
believe that if our governments had used foreign policy like
this, many international wars could have been avoided. It is
quintessential that a species is allowed to live its life
without outside interference. For as has been proven with
the environment, tampering can lead to devastation of a
species.
Scenario 1: In order to prove the worth of the Theory
of Non-Interference, we must create a scenario. Let's say
that a few years from now, aliens come to Earth. These
aliens do not like the way our governments handle things and
just change them to fit their own moral standards. To use
the colloquial English, that would suck.
Scenario 2: Aliens come and give us their technology.
This may sound great, but it really is detrimental. Such a
rapid advance in technology, with so little understanding of
how it works could only harm us. We would become dependent
on a technology which we cannot recreate, and do not full
understand. Humanity would increasingly tend to become a
torpid race. The detrimental effects of such a change are
clearly illustrated in the example of Native Americans. Part
of their demise was European technology. With the riffle
they could hunt buffalo much more efficiently, but also at
an increased rate. Soon, the Native Americans who had the
riffles were found themselves with an ever decreasing amount
of buffalo. The near extinction of the buffalo was the
finishing blow to that culture. The Native Americans had
become dependent on the Europeans.
Scenario 3: The aliens come to earth during the middle
ages, or the early stages of civilization. The reaction on
earth would be mass hysteria, as shown by Orson Wells' "War
of the Worlds" scare. Some peoples may even go so far as to
worship the aliens due to their seemingly "magical" powers.
Even in this case, the effect on our culture is detrimental.
As we venture into space, we must keep these facts in
mind. For by even just making our presence known, we are
taking away a culture's right to develop naturally. Unless
specifically addressed by the people, we should not make our
presence known. And unless we are specifically asked for
help, we have no right to interfere in the lives of a
culture. Unless we adhere strictly to this policy, we are
bound to repeat what the Europeans did to the Native
Americans, the total annihilation of a culture.
-Andreas Mller
--
- Andreas Mueller
mueller@shadowso.com