1:05:01
...for building something,
some kind of machine.
1:05:04
A machine?
That does what, Doctor?
1:05:07
We don't know.
It might be some type...
1:05:10
...of advanced communication device,
or a teaching machine of some kind.
1:05:16
Or it might be...
1:05:18
...some kind of a transport.
1:05:20
- Transport?
- There's no proof of that.
1:05:22
The fact is you don't know
what it does. It could be anything.
1:05:26
A Trojan Horse. We build it
and out pours the entire Vegan army.
1:05:30
Why risk the personnel?
It could be a weapon.
1:05:32
Right.
Some kind of a Doomsday Machine.
1:05:35
Every time they detect
a new civilization...
1:05:37
...they fax
construction plans from space.
1:05:40
We poor saps build this thing
and blow ourselves to kingdom come.
1:05:43
There's no reason to believe
their intentions are hostile.
1:05:47
Why is it the egghead position
that aliens are always benign?
1:05:51
We pose no threat to them.
1:05:53
It'd be like us going out of our way...
1:05:56
...to destroy microbes on an anthill.
1:05:58
Interesting analogy.
1:05:59
How guilty would we feel if we
destroyed a few microbes on an anthill?
1:06:03
I hope you're right.
1:06:05
I really do.
1:06:06
But my job is to protect American lives
from any threat...
1:06:10
...so I am obligated
to assume the worst.
1:06:12
Yes, and I am forced
to agree with you.
1:06:14
My problem is this:
1:06:16
The content of that message
is morally ambiguous at best.
1:06:20
Our internal numbers show
support for this is incredibly soft.
1:06:23
If the President stays this course...
1:06:26
...his numbers will be going
south like ducks in winter.
1:06:29
This is nuts!
1:06:30
Excuse me...
1:06:31
...Miss.
1:06:33
We know nothing
of these creatures' values.
1:06:35
We don't even know
whether they believe in God.
1:06:38
This doesn't make any sense. If--
1:06:40
Excuse me, Dr. Arroway.
1:06:42
We won't be suppressing
any opinions here today.
1:06:45
No, of course not.
I understand.
1:06:48
What I meant to say...
1:06:50
...is the message was written
in the language of science.
1:06:53
If it was religious in nature,
it should have taken the form...
1:06:57
...of a burning bush
or a voice from the sky.