Alien Contact and Diplomacy

Soon, now, or a day in the far future, mankind will make real alien contact and diplomacy will either have us subjugated and navely enslaved, or equipped with knowledge and technology that enables us to explore the stars. Alien contact and diplomacy is in our hands and our descendants' hands, so that one day they'll explore new worlds, and know how to drive a bargain, make a deal and survive, when they get there.