We do not believe that the time has yet come for us to talk to
the Martians, or to the inhabitants of any other older planet.
They may possibly be signalling to us up there, as a man
inexperienced will signal to a new-born baby or even try to make
it understand what he says.
It is probable, however, that Mars, far advanced in science, as
superior to us as we are to new-born infants, would use the light
only to attract our interest and let us know that when the time
comes we have an old brother planet anxious to chat with this
baby earth.
It will be most interesting when the talking time does come. The
men who have lived, studied, experimented millions of years ahead
of us will be able to tell us many things that we need to know.
Like the baby in the cradle, we are compelled now to discover
everything for ourselves. Our old brother Mars, as soon as we
can understand, may help us to take giant steps forward, just as
a younger brother, as soon as he can speak, is taught by his
elder in one of our families. ----
It will be interesting, also, to observe how we shall probably
reject the good advice given us, as the young person here rejects
the words of experience.
Suppose we could talk to Mars, and suppose the wise old people up
there should tell us that millions of years of experience had
made clear the fact that making money is a foolish occupation.
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