Very good analogy, Ebbie. ;-)

I think if there are any advanced races out there observing us right now (and there probably are), then they would be inclined to more or less quarantine this planet for the time being and keep us under observation till we come at least minimally close to achieving what could be termed an "advanced civilization" here. In other words, when we figure out how to get along with each other...

We're in a pretty primitive state at this point, and we're extremely dangerous, given our penchant for creating things like atomic bombs and cruise missiles. Those are good reasons for our visitors to show extreme caution, I would think....kind of like you or I would if observing a troupe of wild and potentially hostile baboons.