Are We Alone in the Universe?

Why would it be terrifying to learn that we are alone in the universe?

At this point in human civilization, I hope that we’re not visited by an alien species. We’re technologically advanced, but horribly backwards in terms of decency, kindness, and compassion.  I’d be embarrassed to have to explain to an extraterrestrial being how we’ve done very little to help one another along.

As an American in particular, I’d have to reveal that we round up innocent people whose skin color differs from ours and send them off to be tortured and killed.