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Message 458 of 909

After Contact, Then What?

Since confirmation of organic life on Gliese 581d has happened or is about to happen, it’s not too soon to think about the confirmation of an alien civilization. I have written about it in the past, but I have never addressed the one place that always leads new ways of thinking: fashion.

But where in fashion will the impact be greatest? Architecture? Apparel? Art? Life style?

posted by LenRobertson

Architecture has a high probability, especially if their materials science is different. Just a different viewpoint can be enough to trigger a change.

Apparel - oh come on now - are you *sure* it's not already influenced by aliens? How could we tell if it was?

Art - this is more difficult. Sure, it'll appeal to some people just because it's different. Art is mainly, I think, emotional - without a common ground how much would it be able to influence though? Sort of like one my favorite NG episodes - Darmok. Sure, they all understood by the end of the hour (what choice did they have?) but there was no common ground there to start with. I think Art would be like that.

Life style. Stranger in a Strange Land anyone? I would think this would be one of the least likely things to have more than a fringe influence.

posted by madcoder42
over 2 years ago

Check out the impact of China on Europe from the 13th through to the 18th centuries. One of the by products of the legends and myths about a wondrous far way Cathay is America. And, the list goes on.

posted by LenRobertson
over 2 years ago