I did used to entertain the idea of aliens visiting this solar system.
And then I better understood the stupendous energy requirements for a two-way trip to even the very closest neighboring solar system. And it is just not practical, even for a civilization at the end of the technology development tree.
We might see one-way probes, but they are as likely to be a part of hegemonizing swarm, looking to convert all usable matter in the solar system into computronium. Certainly they're not going to just faff around, kidnap a few people and then leave quietly.
When aliens visit, everyone will know. Luckily, we haven't seen any evidence of Kardashev type-2 civilizations nearby, so we may be good for a while. Though that's also sort of depressing, as it is weak evidence that life is not too common across the galaxy.
And then I better understood the stupendous energy requirements for a two-way trip to even the very closest neighboring solar system. And it is just not practical, even for a civilization at the end of the technology development tree.
We might see one-way probes, but they are as likely to be a part of hegemonizing swarm, looking to convert all usable matter in the solar system into computronium. Certainly they're not going to just faff around, kidnap a few people and then leave quietly.
When aliens visit, everyone will know. Luckily, we haven't seen any evidence of Kardashev type-2 civilizations nearby, so we may be good for a while. Though that's also sort of depressing, as it is weak evidence that life is not too common across the galaxy.