“If extraterrestrials can be proven to exist, why would they be kept secret? And please, do not insult me with the idea that somehow such proof would cause “worldwide panic”.”
a couple of thoughts - governments are about control, and letting something out of the bag like this officially would be a huge change in the dynamic. I am not sure where it would lead to, but governments would rather not find out, it seems.
additionally, if there were announced formal contact with aliens, it sure as hell could crash the world economy. what manufacturing or research sectors would be anticipated obselete overnight? factor in the unemployment, impact on the commodities and stock markets, and you have utter chaos.
I once thought that might happen but I'm not so sure lately.
New technologies will most likely be folded into the existing economy and this might actually cause the market to explode as humans chase stocks they believe will participate.
I can imagine Ford will say..."just wait until we get these great new technologies fully incorporated into our cars...wow. Of course it'll take a few years for this to happen, so in the mean time check out our new 2011 models."
And people thinking great new job opportunities all over the universe are about to open up will run out and spend their savings on that shiny new BMW.