[gboudrias]

Because they can't be under anyone's jurisdiction if they haven't been contacted? It would be like aliens arresting us for breaking galactic laws when we didn't even know there were aliens.

If you're asking why they've never been contacted: we know that doing so would be irreversible, and anything we could learn from observing them would be tainted with our own culture as it inevitably seeps through.

Even if this wasn't the case, morality is not universal and we have no basis on which to judge them.

[chillacy]

> People of Earth, your attention, please. This is Prostetnic Vogon Jeltz of the Galactic Hyperspace Planning Council. As you will no doubt be aware, the plans for development of the outlying regions of the Galaxy require the building of a hyperspatial express route through your star system.

> There’s no point in acting surprised about it. All the planning charts and demolition orders have been on display at your local planning department in Alpha Centauri for 50 of your Earth years, so you’ve had plenty of time to lodge any formal complaint and it’s far too late to start making a fuss about it now. ... What do you mean you’ve never been to Alpha Centauri? Oh, for heaven’s sake, mankind, it’s only four light years away, you know. I’m sorry, but if you can’t be bothered to take an interest in local affairs, that’s your own lookout. Energize the demolition beams.