What Would Happen If We Met Aliens? With Neil deGrasse Tyson

In this episode of Intelligence Squared, astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson joins host Dr. Radha Modgil to explore the profound implications of first contact with extraterrestrial life, drawing from Tyson's new book, *Take Me to Your Leader*. The conversation begins with Tyson reflecting on his lifelong fascination with the cosmos, sparked by a childhood visit to the Hayden Planetarium, and how that wonder evolved into a deep scientific curiosity about whether we are alone in the universe. He presents a compelling case for the likelihood of alien life based on the age of the universe, the ubiquity of life's chemical building blocks, and the rapid emergence of life on Earth. Tyson then navigates the tension between believers and skeptics, urging both groups to engage with curiosity rather than dogma. He critiques the lack of credible evidence for UFOs while acknowledging the psychological and cultural drivers behind alien sightings, including the role of smartphones in reducing abduction claims and the absurdity of government cover-up narratives. The discussion shifts to imaginative yet insightful questions: What would aliens think of humanity? How might they perceive our planet’s violence and division? Tyson provocatively suggests that if aliens observed Earth, they might conclude there is no intelligent life here. He offers humorous yet thoughtful etiquette tips for first contact—emphasizing non-threatening behavior, avoiding Earth’s flat-earthers, and using universal math like the Pythagorean theorem as a bridge. The episode ends with a lighthearted but poignant warning: if aliens are chickens or plants, Earth may not be a safe destination. Throughout, Tyson blends science, satire, and philosophy to remind listeners that curiosity is the truest form of intelligence.