Substantive on Ender's Game

In my opinion Ender’s Game is not only an impressive work of science fiction, but poses a number of intriguing questions about human nature, the future and interaction with aliens. On the topic of human nature, it seems to be a common theme in many science fiction works that the problems that plague the world today are still prevalent in the future. This brings us back to the question I raised in class. How far has humanity truly progressed? Ender’s world continues to be racked by authoritarianism, racism, religious persecution, violence and international rivalry, just as it is today and just as it has been for thousands of years. Will the human condition prevent us from advancing to a certain point, or will humanity be able to overcome some of its’ more base attributes? The reason the buggers were able to advance was because they operated with a “hive mind” under the control of one sentient being and there appears to be no indication of infighting within the species. On the other hand, by putting “all your eggs into one basket” and relying on one sentient being the buggers were easily wiped out. There seems to be a similar phenomenon in District 9. The aliens in the film were essentially mindless except for a few intelligent beings that had the capacity to lead. On the other hand there are humans, who as a whole are sentient, but also self interested and divided. Perhaps then a more successful alien species would be characterized not only by sentience but also an empathetic and symbiotic mentality.

Another question that Ender’s Game raises is what human-alien interactions would entail. Because two species may have entirely different mindsets and thinking patterns, it is not unrealistic to believe that misunderstandings and conflicts could occur, such as the ones between the buggers and the humans. To one species life may seem precious, to another expendable. Hopefully, though, if a civilization has advanced to the point of intergalactic travel it has socially evolved into a benevolent society as well. This would be in accordance with the Fermi paradox. On the other hand, the alien species could simply be proficient at wiping out other civilizations and not its’ own. In terms of contemporary times, I believe that if aliens were to visit Earth today that humanity’s response would be extremely diverse. Many people might launch an armed attack or flee in fear that the aliens had come to wipe us out. Others might be empathetic, diplomatic and rational by making genuine attempts to communicate with the aliens. Some might even try to manipulate the aliens for profits. Besides this I feel that religious fanatics might view other sentient beings as demonic and be uncompromisingly violent as they would view human’s as the only species created in God’s image. Personally I feel that aliens haven’t contacted us yet because they view us as a “developing planet” that is not yet mature enough to engage in intergalactic politics.

Another question that Ender’s Game made me ponder was that of intergalactic travel. Even at light speed a trip to another galaxy would take years and by the time a vessel returned everyone that you knew would be dead. Thus, I believe that intergalactic travel would entail an artificial wormhole or portal that would be much more efficient as it would bring a vessel from one point to another. Such a device would open up not only new galaxies to exploration, but dimensions as well.