[ WP ] `` Before we allow humankind to live among us in the stars , tell us the faults of your kind . ''

The question does not register to you for a few moments, and the aliens ( those ancient, wise beings with large eyes that seem to see everything ) wait impassively. You are no philosopher, no psychiatrist. You are a scientist because human biology was always easier to understand than human nature. You look around to see if any of the other scientists and diplomats would like to take the question up themselves, but they all avert their eyes. They had all but mumbled their parts, and while your voice had been clear and even, you could not look at the aliens as you spoke. You still can not look, and so you speak to your shoes. `` Um, there are a lot,'' you say, and think immediately that that was a mistake. `` What I meant to say was... no, yeah, well, humans have done a lot of bad things. We've never been really good with dealing with nature, and we're even worse when dealing with each other. Human are, ah, greedy and selfish and... and fearful. Yes! Fear is something everyone feels, and when we fear we either stay and fight or we run. Some of the most awful things humans have down was because of fear... fear of the unknown, of the unacceptable, of change... but humanity is also great because of that fear because... because there are more important things than fear,'' you say, looking up suddenly at the aliens. All of their stares are concentrated at you, and your legs shake. You look down quickly. `` Um, well, that's what I think and I... everyone's opinion is different and... and, if you'd like to talk about human history, we have historians and anthropologists and culturists, so, so, you can ask them questions.'' You take a step back, suddenly, and the aliens' gazes follows you before turning to your companions. 
 
 `` Who among you will speak again of the faults of you kind?'' they ask, in unison, their voices echoing in the humans' mind. 
 
 The anthropologist steps forward awkwardly. `` I... I will.'' 
 
 `` Then begin.'' 
 
 And so they do. 
 

