SF STORY PREMISE:

SETI program decodes an alien signal clearly targeting us.

Hi! We see you're still facing the Great Filter! We want to help! Based on your anatomy per broadcasts we decoded, here is a blueprint for a device that will solve your problem!

Humans: decode blueprint.

It's for an improved guillotine.

@cstross Until the last line I was sure they’d decoded advertising spam

@RevPancakes @cstross

I read an SF story years ago where the decoded signal was an alien phishing scam.

@davidtheeviloverlord @RevPancakes @cstross “We’ve been trying to reach you about your auto insurance.”
@su_liam @davidtheeviloverlord @RevPancakes @cstross haha yes, similar premise in this (also otherwise excellent) webcomic: https://dresdencodak.com/2009/07/12/fabulous-prizes/
Fabulous Prizes - Dresden Codak

This one took forever, but I am happy with the result. If you like it a whole lot, now you can buy a print! Also, for those East Coast folks interested in accelerating technologies and transhumanism at large, the Singularity Summit is being held in New York this October 3-4!  It’s certainly going to be […]

Dresden Codak