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Those old enough will likely remember and possibly have participated in World Contact Day. For the rest, I'll summarize: On May 27, 1976, people around the world formed what were called thought circles, sending the following message via telepathy to any aliens in the vicinity.
Calling occupants of interplanetary craft! Calling occupants of interplanetary craft that have been observing our planet EARTH. We of IFSB wish to make contact with you. We are your friends, and would like you to make an appearance here on EARTH. Your presence before us will be welcomed with the utmost friendship. We will do all in our power to promote mutual understanding between your people and the people of EARTH. Please come in peace and help us in our EARTHLY problems. Give us some sign that you have received our message. Be responsible for creating a miracle here on our planet to wake up the ignorant ones to reality. Let us hear from you. We are your friends.[2]
Everyone knows the only responses came from various very obvious pranksters, but the event was an astonishing feat of organization, and set the pattern for creating other such events. But what if, as most observers expected, the event was a management failure?