Hello, SFIA audio listeners.

In this month's Nebula exclusive, big alien theory,

we're asking the reason alien civilizations might be rare is because most aliens are huge.

To hear it and every episode early and ad-free, plus hours of bonus content,

check out go.nebola.tv slash Isaac Arthur and use my code, Isaac Arthur.

When we dream up alien evasions, we tend to imagine advanced civilizations with cunning

tactics and overwhelming technology, poised to steamwall humanity in days.

But if we look at popular science fiction, we see an odd pattern.

Aliens often adopt the least defective strategies

imaginable, as though some interstellar general was taking notes from Saturday morning cartoons

instead of Sun Tzu. Today, we'll count down the 10 worst alien invasion strategies,

drawing on classic films, TV shows, and books. Along the way, we'll explore why these approaches fail,

not just for alien warlords before any would-be conquer in our universe, but any bit of

science, history, and humor, to see just how spectacularly these cosmic blunders stack up.

The Park and Weight Strategy, best known from Independence Day.

Imagine you've crossed interstellar gulfs in colossal warships, ready to wipe out humanity,

so naturally, you hover ominously over every major city for hours.

That's what the aliens do in Independence Day, drifting to position like sinister parade floats,

letting humanity watch in terror and prepare.

In real warfare, surprise is priceless.

The most effective attacks come suddenly and simultaneously.

Even masking forces openly can backfire if your intent isn't to intimidate, but to annihilate.

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