Protocols

Paul Gilster at Centauri Dreams has some ideas towards a new "Prime Directive." This is a logical follow-up to George Dvorsky's excellent essay on why Star Trek's Prime Directive is stupid. It has been argued that the Federation is too lenient, and that the rule is unworkable. First contact protocols are actually a rather heated subject, with several sets of guidelines already drafted. The very idea of sending messages into space comes under fire regularly.

All of which puts me in the mood to re-read Terry Bisson's They're Made Out Of Meat.