TED: Aliens, love -- where are they? | John Hodgman

The transcript explores Fermi's Paradox, questioning the absence of extraterrestrial life despite the vastness of the universe. It humorously speculates on Enrico Fermi being an alien and delves into UFO theories. The speaker shares personal 'close encounters' with mysterious individuals and events, blending humor and skepticism. These anecdotes include interactions with an elderly couple, a girl at a movie theater, a peculiar movie experience, and a travel story in Portugal, all hinting at alien involvement.

What question did Enrico Fermi famously ask that led to the Fermi Paradox?

• Is there life on Mars?

• Why are we alone in the universe?

• Where is everybody?

• Are we the first civilization?

What humorous speculation does the narrator make about Enrico Fermi?

• He was a time traveler.

• He was a fictional character.

• He was a magician.

• He was an alien.

During the narrator's first close encounter, what did the elderly couple do that was unusual?

• They invited him to dinner.

• They laughed at him for looking for UFOs.

• They gave him a telescope.

• They offered him a ride.

In the second close encounter, what did the girl at the movie theater ask the narrator?

• Are you looking forward to seeing the movie?

• Do you believe in aliens?

• Do you want some popcorn?

• Have you read the book?

What phenomenon does the narrator suspect might explain his encounter with the girl at the movie theater?

• A screen memory

• A time loop

• A dream sequence

• A parallel universe

What book by Whitley Strieber is mentioned in the narrator's third close encounter?

• The Roswell Incident

• The Day After Roswell

• The Alien Agenda

• Communion

In the narrator's third encounter, who played Whitley Strieber in the movie adaptation?

• Jack Nicholson

• Christopher Walken

• Robert De Niro

• Al Pacino

What unusual event happened to the narrator in Portugal during his fourth encounter?

• He found a hidden treasure.

• He was chased by feral dogs.

• He saw a UFO.

• He met an alien.

What realization did the narrator have while waiting for Catherine in Portugal?

• He needs to learn Portuguese.

• He should have gone to the beach.

• Aliens are definitely real.

• The universe is vast and full of mysteries.

What message did the Liberians convey to the narrator while waiting with him?

• Love conquers all.

• The universe is infinite.

• We're not alone.

• Aliens are among us.