I like people that are confident enough in what they’re predicting to say it’s going to happen within two decades – whether it’s meeting aliens or predicting the end of the world. This time though, it’s the aliens (read the story at the Daily Galaxy.)  So it’s time to start figuring out the appropriate etiquette, place settings, Hallmark card (we’ve been waiting?)  etc.  We don’t want to look like the galactic ignoramuses we probably are.

On the other hand would it really matter?  The SETI folks (Search for ExtraTerrestrial Intelligence) do warn that first contact is more likely to be with something resembling Star Trek’s horta (the large blob of styrofoam) than the babes in green body paint.  They’ll already have Google access apparently, so what else will we have to say?  This is going to be like Facebook reconnect air kisses isn’t it? (I never thought I’d talk to you again!… and now I find I have nothing new to say.)

Now might be a good time to get your earthling dog tag, however…. just in case.