Don't Talk to Aliens, Says Stephen Hawking

For those without a TV or cable, this series is available through Apple's iTunes.

Just wish it was in high def.

With all due respect, while Mr. Hawking may be able to explain the universe he's just as clueless as the rest of us on how to best live in it.

The old adage applies, everyone is entitled to their opinion, but nobody has a right to expect that it be taken seriously.

Never remove your glove to shake hands with an alien. They will do it for you (using a probe). Never offer advice to an alien, they think you are silly. Don't scream if they appoach you; they hate that.

"We only have to look at ourselves to see how intelligent life might develop into something we wouldn't want to meet. I imagine they might exist in massive ships, having used up all the resources from their home planet. Such advanced aliens would perhaps become nomads, looking to conquer and colonise whatever planets they can reach."

That seems to pre-suppose we qualify as 'intelligent life'. Clearly, I'm the only person in that category and......oops, yes, best not say 'hi' to ET

I watched that episode last night. From a scientific point of view it was very watered down, but then again the average intelligence on this planet is 100, so they are just trying to appeal to the largest common denominator.

... you obviously mean IQ of 100. And what do IQ tests prove? Not much. There are plenty of good books to show the narrow-mindedness of standardized testing. But I understand your comment in the context of what knowledge could have been included -- and then what knowledge would have been required to assimilate it -- in a show like that.

I think Carl Sagen did a better job of educating the viewer. This show was a little more tilted toward the entertainment side.