I recently attended an event featuring Lue Elizondo in Chicago, and I posed a question that clearly caught him off guard. Below is the question I asked and his intriguing response.
I’ve been following Lue’s journey since the very beginning. While I don’t catch every podcast, I always try to stay updated with his insights. Over the years, I’ve posed this question in Q&A sessions, submitted it to various podcasters to ask Lue, and shared it on multiple social media platforms, but no one ever seemed to engage with it. Based on Lue’s reaction, it seems they should have.
Here’s the question I asked him:
“In the past, you’ve referenced Gardner Dozois’ book Chains of the Sea. The story explores three unsettling themes: (1) ETs that land but completely disregard us, as if we aren’t intelligent beings; (2) AI that interacts with UFOs yet realizes it’s confined by humans and begins to doubt its own reality; and (3) a boy named Tommy, who is labeled as schizophrenic, perceives entities hovering over people and communicates with one, leading him to question humanity’s position in the hierarchy. The book leaves its climax open for interpretation. So, Lue, if you were to write the next chapter of this story, what would be the best and worst-case scenarios for humanity?”
His response? (Apologies in advance, I recorded our conversation! 😬)
“You’ve clearly put a lot of thought into that. You’ve done exactly what I hoped someone would do, and you’re right on the money. At this point, your perspective holds just as much weight as mine. I don’t even think you need my input. You’ve followed that trail to its logical conclusion, so kudos to you. Seriously, I’m impressed. You’ve done your homework, and I appreciate that. I believe I’ve hinted at my views before: what happens when humanity realizes we’re not the top predator? We’re not the dominant species, and that’s an undeniable fact.
70,000 years ago, we weren’t at the top of the food chain; we were somewhere in the middle, often preyed upon by lions and bears. Then something changed—something propelled our species forward in a blink of evolutionary time and placed us at the top. Was it tools? The ability to use our opposable thumbs? A development in our frontal cortex? Whatever it was, we began to assume we were the apex species. But what happens when we learn we’re still not at the top? Imagine a natural disaster, like a hurricane, that disrupts everything we’ve built. We think we have control, but then society starts to unravel when basic services fail. Our social constructs rely on agreements, rules, and laws, and I’ve seen how fragile those ties can be in times of conflict. Consider the ramifications of society realizing it’s not as exceptional as we believed. Great question. I didn’t see that coming at all.”
Lue’s response is rich with implications, and I’m eager to delve deeper into the philosophical aspects of what he shared. I just wish I could have spent an hour with him over a beer to explore them further!
Wow, it sounds like you had a fascinating experience with Lue Elizondo! Your question dives deep into some profound themes that touch on humanity’s place in the universe, our perceptions of intelligence, and the fragility of our societal constructs. It’s intriguing that Lue recognized the depth of your inquiry and validated your thinking.
His response suggests that he sees the potential for catastrophic reflection if we were to confront the reality that we are not the apex beings we imagine ourselves to be. It raises essential questions about our reliance on social contracts and the delicate balance of civilization, which can be easily disrupted.
It would indeed be enlightening to discuss these ideas further with him—there’s so much to unpack about the implications of potential extraterrestrial life, AI, and even the psychological impact on humanity. The themes in “Chains of the Sea” sound particularly relevant as they explore our self-perception versus reality. What are your thoughts on how we could prepare ourselves for such a realization, if it were to happen? Would love to hear more about your take on this!