3) is interesting. In communication, there is a handshaking
   protocol, whether it is among humans or computers. Of course,
   handshaking protocols don't always (or usually) involve hands,
   so this should be familiar territory when dealing with aliens.
   There is a series of bootstrapping protocols that ensure a level
   of understanding is mutual. They might not have hands. Computers
   don't have hands either, so that's ok. But we didn't program the
   aliens with protocols. We're programmed with our protocols, like
   our computers are programmed with their protocols. Lacking
   knowledge of protocols for communication may make this task very
   difficult. Not impossible but difficult. There is no reason to
   assume good will nor is there any reason to assume hostile will.
   They may have access to emotions that we do not have on Earth.
   We might not have an equivalent to emotions that they have. They
   might not have an equivalent to emotions that we have. Emotions
   are first. Agreement needs to be established. Agreement on
   ANYTHING. That can be built upon from there. That is the
   beginnings of building a protocol. So, embedded in that act of
   attempting to establish a handshake process that allows for
   communication contains everything you need to know about human
   philosophy: the need to understand.