The Alien Audit on Humanity: Part 1
Imagine a highly advanced alien civilization finally reaches Earth after travelling millions of light years across the galaxy.
Their spacecraft enters orbit.
Their scientists prepare their instruments.
Their historians are excited.
Their anthropologists can hardly contain themselves.
After all, they are about to study an intelligent civilization.
The lead researcher clears his throat.
“Let’s see how advanced these humans have become.”
The data starts pouring in.
“Interesting. They have tiny devices that allow them to access nearly all recorded human knowledge.”
The room erupts in applause.
“Remarkable.”
Another scientist speaks up.
“They can video call someone on the other side of the planet instantly.”
More applause.
“Incredible.”
A third scientist adds:
“They can order food, a taxi, and a date without leaving the couch.”
The room falls silent.
“Why would they need all three delivered to the same location?”
“No idea.”
The investigation continues.
“They spend years working jobs they dislike so they can buy things they don’t need.”
“Strange.”
“They often check their phones while watching sunsets.”
“What?”
“They go on holiday to beautiful places and spend most of the time photographing themselves being there.”
“You’re joking.”
“They have devices that track their sleep, but many can’t sleep because they’re worried about the data from the device tracking their sleep.”
The room goes quiet.
One alien slowly removes his glasses.
Another rubs his forehead.
A third whispers,
“Are we absolutely certain these are the intelligent species?”
The lead researcher studies the report for a long time before finally speaking.
“They’ve become extraordinarily good at changing the world around them.”
A pause.
“But I’m not sure they’ve learned how to experience it.”
And perhaps that’s the question.
How do we actually measure progress?
Because if an alien civilization judged us only by our technology, we’d look incredibly advanced.
But if they judged us by our levels of peace, presence, connection, wonder, courage and fun …
The report might be a little more complicated.
Which is why I believe we need a new measure of progress.
Not for civilization.
For ourselves.
A measure not of success, but of aliveness.
A measure I call the Sea Beyond Index.
