1) Text abstract from the Novel “Sphere” written by Michael Crichton deals about a man named Norman that has to write a report about aliens. He asks members of the US government, who have an interesting attitude towards the possibility of alien contact.
The first man that states his opinion is an Undersecretary of State. He asks how they might negotiate with aliens if they can read our minds. This attitude is very negative, because he is only thinking about money and violation of human right.
The second man, a White House staffer, says that it will be a media moment when the president talks personally to an alien. His attitude towards aliens is only focused on how it is a perfect situation for their country, because it would be something that will never be forgotten, if the president ever gets to talk to an alien.
A Major-General from the Pentagon sees the alien rather as a thread for their country than a positive occurrence. The first thing he asks is whether aliens might have powerful armaments and if the U.S´s nuclear weapons are strong enough to destroy them.
In general the attitudes of the member of the U.S government towards alien contact is rather negative, because they are afraid of how powerful aliens might be. Its only positive aspect is getting remembered as the first nation to have contact with aliens and to negotiate with them.
3) a)What role would the media play in the event of alien contact?
Media would spread the news all over the world, that the U.S president is the first person to have contact with an alien and maybe even to negotiate with them. This way other country will look up to the U.S.A, because of this success and the advantages they will have. The U.S.A will get remembered as the first country to have alien contact.
b) Explain the importance of “media moments” for politician in democratic countries.
All politician want to be successful and the only way to achieve this is by using the media for spreading the good job they have done. For example if a president has alien contact for the first time it will always be remembered and everyone on the world will know this breaking news, thanks to the media. Media moments like these are especially important for politician in democratic countries, because they need the support of the people to get elected again or to stay elected. The only way to inform people about what good things they want to do to the country or good things they have done is by spreading it using all media sources they can.
