Stephen Hawking is Wrong about ETs

I love the Science Channel. On many occasions, I have been treated to intellectually stimulating and satisfying programs. Thank you.

But Stephen Hawking is a pessimist and buzz-kill.

In one (or maybe more than one) program about ETs or the existence of intelligence elsewhere in the universe, Stephen Hawking has been quoted as saying that if there is sophisticated life in the universe, than we need only look at our own history to know what the outcome of first contact will be. All throughout our history, the superior civilization conquers and enslaves the inferior civilization for it's resources. So according to Hawking, it's dangerous to advertise our presence to the universe. We know the damage is already done.

Hawking, you are a disappointing pessimist. As we become more intelligent, more advanced, and more sophisticated, our civilization unlearns those stone age ideas that characterize a savage, primitive culture. While biologically, we still have the capacity for committing certain atrocities, we're getting better. We no longer approve of torture or racial discrimination and superstition is decreasing. We are getting better about our pollution and caring for our space ship called planet Earth. Your assumption that a civilization that has come so far as to master space travel has simultaneously had their culture degrade. It's very possible that a superior intelligence would regard us a cattle, but I believe if that superior intelligent, star-aged culture was us, then we would admire intelligence and life wherever it is found.