Potential Alien to Human Interaction Hiccups

Some humans have long dreamed of interacting with intelligent lifeforms from other worlds. They’ve hoped to develop a relationship with an intelligent species, and trade technology. There have been numerous T.V. shows, and movies that have depicted us even working with alien species to explore the universe. For instance, in Star Trek, Spock is an alien officer on the Enterprise. However, these shows wouldn’t likely fit reality. If mankind were lucky enough to encounter another intelligent species, we would meet some complex barriers. First of all, communication would inevitably be insanely challenging. A being that evolved under different conditions, and on a separate planet may not even communicate like humans. We typically speak, but these creatures may not. In order to have the capacity to speak like us, this species would need some method of perceiving sound and the parts necessary to produce complex sounds (like vocal chords). Even if they did have the means to speak, we will not be speaking in even remotely similar languages. To make matters worse, the range of pitches mankind can hear might differ from an alien species. According to an article on frequency, and pitch, humans can typically hear “sounds with a frequency between about 20Hz and 20,000 Hz.” The alien species may not speak or hear the same frequency of sounds. We wouldn't be able to hear each other at all; thus making any hope of understanding one another nearly impossible. If you were hoping we could exchange technology or knowledge, communication would be just the tip of the iceberg of problems. The atmosphere they are accustomed to is sure to be different. These creatures might need a higher percentage of oxygen, or CO2. Aliens aren’t just going to land, and demand to see your leader, because they would probably die; hence why face to face contact could be more difficult to arrange. Finally, our human understanding of everything around us will not match the alien. Most of our science is based around observation of what we see, hear, and touch. The things we see are dictated by our visible light spectrum. If this species has eyes, they will likely see in a separate light spectrum; which would make showing them what we know an interesting endeavor. All things being said, we just have to remember that regardless of how or where we encountered such a species, our interactions simply wouldn’t be as simple as in the movies.
 👽 While I know this topic is a little out of this world, feel free to let your mind have some fun with it. If you like, you could even share what you think up in the comments.👽

Link for resource:

• https://www.ck12.org/physical-science/Frequency-and-Pitch-of-Sound-in-Physical-Science/lesson/Frequency-and-Pitch-of-Sound-MS-PS/