It really can go either way so it is a gamble to contact an advanced race even if we knew of one. Just like if someone finds us it is hard to say if they would have ill intentions or not. I'm an optimist so I think the gamble is justified. The one doing the contact would likely be more superior and if someone found us with superior technology we wouldn't have much choice but to see what happens.Don’t talk to aliens, warns Stephen Hawking - Times Online
Kinda like being told not to talk to strangers....Now, Hawking is a major proponent of the idea that other beings are out there...but it's better off not letting them know about us and keeping a low profile....
Is Hawking right, or should humanity be trying to communicate with other races?