Intergalactic Kegger!

[image error] Thanks, Rip Torn. More often than not, if there is a story about aliens it will involve them invading us (overtly or secretly) or some fluffy cute version befriending some vulnerable member of society that would have been down a coal mine 100 years ago. Rarer are the stories where humans are the invaders. Avatar recently covered that, but I struggle to think of many more examples. However, a recent scientific article (which is well worth a read and, in general, such material is great inspiration for SF and Fantasy writers) pointed to another possibility that I don't think has been directly explored. What if humans are the most advanced species in the universe?

So not only could we go out there looking for life and probably invade it, as is our nature, as history has taught us since we were big enough to pick up clubs and hit people with them, but we might gaze out there long before we are capable of going to visit in person and realise we are "it", we are the evolutionary bomb. The other option is that we are completely alone. What impact would this have on the human psyche and the development of society? For example, would the religious nuts go crazy and point at it as the final proof of god's existence (which in itself proves he doesn't exist - puff of logic remember)? Would mankind's goals significantly change? What stories could you tell in this situation and what would your message be?

Perhaps you would be the jock/frat-boy of space travel and journey around the universe in a giant kegger screaming "we are the shit!' at everything with ears... and probably many things without ears too. That's a bit boring though. How about creating your own new species through genetic engineering so when they evolve to space travel at least they won't be so alone? Though I believe that line or similar was taken in an episode of Star Trek: TNG. I'd like to hear your ideas.

Personally, I think there is some great existential comedy in there. Mankind gears themselves up for decades to fight alien hordes thanks to too many movies. They keep waiting and waiting for the invaders to come, but nothing happens. Then, they start to think that is part of the aliens' plan so they gear up for readiness once more. Finally, they perfect a sufficient form of space travel and go out into the universe ready to kick some arse (or whatever the aliens excrete out of) before it kicks theirs. However, after centuries more of searching, mankind still finds nothing. It starts to get bored and fights amongst itself. Then it gains the power to create life and so they make an alien species to abuse.... I'm not sure how it ends yet. Possibly in the death of all mankind through boredom and it has some kind of message about wasted life.