Our hubris as a species (humans, not penguins, of course) is stunning. A quick look at other primates shows how tiny physiological differences make a huge difference in intelligence.

When I write "intelligence" I don't mean common intelligence that many people lack. I mean the kind engineers and mathematicians need to figure out anti-gravitational devices and nuclear fusion.

I imagine we're like an ape zoo to beings who are considerably smarter than we are. They keep an eye on us to make sure we're not getting out of our cage and are only throwing our feces at each other.

Every now and then an extraterrestrial Jane Goodall stays a bit to see if she can make some progress with us. But for the most part the ETs are just coming by for a day with their kids to take a few photos. The naughty ET kids "bang on the glass" to startle us and laugh at our responses.

Shutting up would be a great idea. Not every ET is going to just take photos. I don't know if you saw it, but there was a great documentary film about this in 1987 called, "Predator."