Well, since Star Trek is the theme of these boards too, I might as well tell you my views of the subject of first contact.
Anyways, I at least believe that we are basically waiting for first contact. Perhaps an advanced alien entity is just waiting for us to cross certain ethical and technological thresholds. And this topic is often best explored in the fictional sci-fi series Star Trek (think about it).
Anyways, as in Star Trek, some believe that this advanced entity will share its technology with us, but when they think we're ready for it. Perhaps now, they are simply observing.
I am reminded of that ST: TNG episode First Contact (original air date, February 18, 1991). In it Malcor III is preparing to develop warp drive technology, and the Federation is beginning to observe them, in anticipation of this. But unlike other races, the Malcorians are more suspicious of the idea of being observed, and this creates unanticipated problems.
You know, this story is interesting, because in the end, they decide to delay first contact instead. But what I like about the episode, is Science Minister Mirasta Yale decides to stay behind on the episode, she essentially does experience first contact, you could say. You know that idea does sound tantalizing, doesn't it? What if only one human could see how an advanced alien race lives, and stay on their home world? Because think of it. Then he or she to continue on as a kind of ambassador or liaison between and two races. I'd sign up for something like that. Wouldn't you?
Also, I wanted to tell you. Last year, I finally was able to get one of the 10-north glasses from ST: TNG on Ebay. I searched high and low, but I finally got it. And I immediately made an Absinthe Martini, my second favorite drink (a Manhattan is my first) and took a picture. You know, if I ever was in the above situation, the first thing I would have to have is a synthehol Manhattan. Wouldn't that be nice? But the holodeck or simulated reality would be the first thing I would have to try (of course once you got a matter replicator first, you'd be all set—think about it). I'll attach the picture, along with a couple of links describing the episode.
And I've got to ask, if you were taken to the advanced alien home world like Science Minister Mirasta Yale, what's the first thing you'd have to try?
Here are the links:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Contact_(Star_Trek:_The_Next_Generation)
It just fires the imagination, doesn't it?
How do you know the entity would be advanced? How do you know they would even be humanoid? Bacteria has been discovered living on Mars. Wouldn’t that count as discovering off-world life? Sure we haven’t made contact with it? Why does this ‘entity’ have to be more advanced than us? This isn’t a criticism against you or your post, but this sort of thing has always irked me. All ‘life’ is worthy, even if they are single-celled organisms.