American Graffiti 1973

This transmission takes place over one night in a small Earth settlement, where several young humans drive in circles, eat sugar-based food, and talk about leaving home — though most of them won’t.

The males are obsessed with their vehicles and their ability to attract females by driving past them repeatedly. The females mostly wait to be noticed, or sit in vehicles already in motion. This is considered social engagement.

One male wonders if he should leave for university. Another looks for a mysterious female in a white car. A third spends the night with a younger girl after damaging his own vehicle. None of them resolve their concerns in any useful way.

An older human named Wolfman Jack speaks through a radio tower. He is treated as a wise figure, though he mostly plays music and hides behind a window. The music is from the past, even in the year this film takes place. The humans are already nostalgic for things that barely ended.

The film ends with one human flying away in a small aircraft, while others remain behind, still driving, still unsure.

Conclusion: Humans do not transition easily. They resist change, even when they long for it. They try to freeze moments using music, cars, and repetition. They confuse motion with progress.

If Nebulon ever needs to pacify Earth’s youth population, it may be enough to build a looped road and broadcast familiar sounds. They will stay voluntarily.