An alien ambassador secretly made first contact with One Earth''s top leaders, scholars, and religious figures.


    "My species believes in evidence before assumption," said the alien.


    "Assuming what?" asked a scholar.If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    "Hubris and geocentrism. We prefer to ask."


    "I still don''t understand."


    The rest of the council nodded in agreement.


    "There''s a blocklist of civilizations that believe they are the center of the universe, that the universe''s ''beginning or creation'' started with them or because of them. The galactic community unanimously avoids those civilizations. They tend to be warlike. What is your belief?"


    All heads turned toward the religious figures.