S.R. Heden Explain decoding 3rd Dimentional Mathematics to Dr. Ellie (Contact 1997)

[pwelchster]

Hadden is almost certainly the alien referred to later in the film who built the transit system (“We didn't build it–we don't know who did”). He reveals as much in this scene: He was once "a helluva engineer"; he wants his "guest" to feel "welcome" in his home, similar to how the alien later appears as Elie's dad to "make things easier" on her; he could scan her mind to know that her favorite tea is earl gray, again similar to how the aliens later can scan her mind and download her memories; he's the only person who can crack the primer to unlock the encrypted message; he wants to leave a gift “to the people of this little planet… from whom I have taken so much”; he's never buried or cremated but released into outer space; when Elie asks, “What am I doing here [on this plane]?” he chuckles, likely at the question's deeper metaphysical significance, knowing that he's trying to provide her an answer to it. It's one of the coolest Easter eggs ever, and no one has ever seemed to notice it.

Ironically, at the congressional hearing at the end of the movie, Kitz is right: Hadden WAS responsible for the message… just not in the way he believes. Hadden didn't orchestrate a hoax; he built the whole system that made contact possible!

[wbyexiu]

“To believe in God is to know that all the rules will be fair, and that there will be wonderful surprises.”
— Ugo Betti

[jongarcia]

The Ellie seems offended for being interupted, as if the other dr. stole her spotlight - but she didn't decipher it either

[IQvQI]

... Cannes Festival France ... Jodie Foster... Catherine Bouman, blackhole ^^ ?!... De'Wilhelm Prinzip... Du Parallèle... Sensationnel ! ... Vraiment relativement simple; mais hyperefficace...