For example: Signs, Close Encounters Of The Third Kind, Chicken Little

There are often signs and portents ahead of first contact with an alien race. Perhaps ships lost at sea are appearing in the desert, or the same five-note sequence is being heard all over the world. Perhaps crop circles are appearing in farmers’ fields in odd corners of Pennsylvania. In rare cases, the sky might be falling down.

However improbable the reports, it’s important to take them seriously because they will rarely lead you astray. That old weirdo up in the woods is worth listening to; that schoolchild is worth listening to, and that incredibly fit scientist is definitely worth listening to. If we've learned anything from the movies, it's that hot scientists are pretty much always right. And at least if you pay attention now you’ll be prepared when the aliens finally descend in number.