3) is interesting. In communication, there is a handshaking
protocol, whether it is among humans or computers. Of course,
handshaking protocols don't always (or usually) involve hands,
so this should be familiar territory when dealing with aliens.
There is a series of bootstrapping protocols that ensure a level
of understanding is mutual. They might not have hands. Computers
don't have hands either, so that's ok. But we didn't program the
aliens with protocols. We're programmed with our protocols, like
our computers are programmed with their protocols. Lacking
knowledge of protocols for communication may make this task very
difficult. Not impossible but difficult. There is no reason to
assume good will nor is there any reason to assume hostile will.
They may have access to emotions that we do not have on Earth.
We might not have an equivalent to emotions that they have. They
might not have an equivalent to emotions that we have. Emotions
are first. Agreement needs to be established. Agreement on
ANYTHING. That can be built upon from there. That is the
beginnings of building a protocol. So, embedded in that act of
attempting to establish a handshake process that allows for
communication contains everything you need to know about human
philosophy: the need to understand.
