7/7
Those lines represent direction in which things should be read.
As previously said, zero is the problem.
Hope that it will be understandable later when we will represent the numbers.
#FirstContactHandbook
6/7
This page also represents the first 10 numbers (starting with zero) but that is not the purpose of this page. In some different setting those two can be different.
As previously said, under each digit is the straight horizontal line.
#FirstContactHandbook
5/7
That is the main reason why not have it.
On the left side we have our symbols for digits (numbers).
On the right side there is the number of dots representing the value of each of digits.
#FirstContactHandbook
4/7
This is the whole page representation.
Hope that is understandable.
If we choose that, maybe on the top of the page should have a title.
DIGITS
Or not. It is optional.
It is not explainable for them, for now anyway.
#FirstContactHandbook
3/7
There are 10 different digits (0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9).
First, we must try to explain them and after that we will go further.
The biggest problem is 0 – zero but let us hope that it will be understandable if will be seen with others.
#FirstContactHandbook
2/7
We can use different representations, but I chose Arabic numbers – western style. It is simple notation, and I know it the best.
It doesn’t mean that is the best, because I don’t know all of them, and cannot judge objectively.
#FirstContactHandbook
1/7
Ok, we now have a decision (hopefully good one) how we will say directions on how to read our numbers and later letters and words.
Next thing is how we will represent content. As we said at the start, we will start with numbers. #FirstContactHandbook
8/8
Short numbers or text in each line on the left side will suggest that we start from left. (I hope).
Unfortunately, it is not clear that we write from left to right. Hope that we will clear that later.
#FirstContactHandbook
7/8
I will choose straight horizontal lines with generous space under each number or piece of text with whole width of paper.
That will say, I hope, that direction is horizontal.
Is it left to right or right to left?
It doesn’t say.
#FirstContactHandbook
6/8
First rule. The handbook must be culturally neutral.
We need a universal language that transcends cultural differences.
What do you think would be truly universal?
It seems simple but it is difficult to answer, at least to me.
#FirstContactHandbook
5/8
Color? – Dark on left side and light on right side or vice versa? Which color? Can color mean something … for example … RED as a danger… BLUE as deep … GREEN as religious meaning?
Anything else?
#FirstContactHandbook
4/8
Also, it is a way I am the most familiar with and it will be easier to explain some things.
So, how to say, “You should read this from left to right, horizontally”.
Arrows? - Can they be misunderstood as weapons?
#FirstContactHandbook
3/8
First page of Handbook.
How to tell aliens what is direction of our writing?
I will choose horizontal direction, from left to right.
Not because it is the best.
I don’t know that.
It is because that is the way English text is normally written.
#FirstContactHandbook
2/8
It is important not only the symbol/letter but also position and there are one or multiple symbols for each digit. And we still speak about human species with same/similar basic culture and biology. There are other examples ...
#FirstContactHandbook
1/8
Now we know a few obstacles. There are many we didn’t mention. For example, Romans write their numbers with different rules. The same number they will write as MMCCCXLVI (MM => 2000, CCC=> 300, XL=> 40, VI=>6).
#FirstContactHandbook
5/5
This is just for the start. We also assume in those examples that they use the same base as we do … base 10. For example, if they use base 7 the same number will be written as 6561, with base 8 will be 4452.
#FirstContactHandbook
3/5
There are many more possible ways … even ways we will not easily understand but there is no reason why aliens will not use some way we don’t understand.
Even different human groups today and through history did it in different ways. #FirstContactHandbook
2/5
For simplicity of explanation let’s assume that aliens write with this kind of numbers (0,1,2,3,4 …)
How will they write “two thousand three hundred and forty-six”?
2346 ?
6432 ?
2
3
4
6 ?
6
4
3
2 ?
These are just 4 basic possibilities.
#FirstContactHandbook
1/5
How to start?
Probably there are million ways. Some of them better, some of them not good enough.
I will choose to start with numbers. Seems easy but …
First things first. Let us think about it.
How will an alien write a number?
#FirstContactHandbook
4/4
Follow along as we craft the ultimate guide for extraterrestrial visitors.
Who knows? One day, it might come in handy!
Let's make first contact a success story.
#FirstContactHandbook
3/4
Join me on this journey as we prepare for an otherworldly encounter!
Over the next few weeks (or ...), I'll be sharing ideas for our alien visitors' guidebook to humanity.
What would YOU include in the First Contact Handbook? Drop your suggestions! #FirstContactHandbook
2/4
How will we comprehend aliens? How will aliens comprehend us?
Let's create that handbook
We'll start small - just the first few pages.
It may seem unnecessary, but it's great exercise in thinking outside the box.
#FirstContactHandbook
1/4
What if aliens landed on Earth tomorrow?
Is there a First Contact Protocol Handbook for them?
Not that I know of.
We struggle to understand each other as humans - different languages, writings, cultures, religions. #FirstContactHandbook
