Basic Trope: A character defends humanity by pointing out its strengths.
- Straight: Aliens want to destroy humanity because Humans Are the Real Monsters. Bob attempts to convince them otherwise.
- Exaggerated: Bob states that humanity is superior to all other species in the universe and is morally infallible.
- Downplayed: Bob tries to convince the aliens that humans, selfish idiots as they can be, don't deserve to die and do have admirable qualities. Because while Bob might be a misanthrope, that doesn't mean he's a Misanthrope Supreme.
- Justified:
- Aliens have put Humanity on Trial and Bob is the defense attorney.
- The person giving the speech to the aliens is Patrick Stewart himself, and he simply recites one of his famous speeches from Star Trek: The Next Generation (or ad-libs one on the spot).
- Inverted:
- Bob tries to convince the aliens, who have come in peace, that humanity deserves to be wiped out.
- Zork tries to convince the humans, who have come to destroy the aliens, that their species has its strengths.
- Subverted:
- Bob can't think of any good reason to defend humanity.
- Bob starts out defending humanity but it quickly turns into a Humans Are Bastards speech instead.
- Bob lays out a Badass Boast that the aliens welcome to try, but humans are even nastier than they are, goes on to a spectacular list of historical atrocities we've done to one another and our own planet for the most trivial of reasons to let them know exactly how bloodthirsty and vicious we are, and to not be too surprised by the fact we'll nuke an entire city to keep them from having a single block. Worse, we'll probably find ways to reverse engineer all their shiny toys and turn them on the aliens. Oh, and Humans Are Survivors - as long as a handful of us are alive and they're wiped out, we'll call it a win. This convinces the aliens that they clearly don't want to deal with a planet full of psychotic apes.
- Double Subverted:
- Alice comes up with one at the last minute.
- Alternatively, Bob's honesty encourages the aliens to give humans a chance for redemption.
- Alternatively, Bob reaffirms his words despite the lack of reasons by explaining that Humans Are Flawed which makes them as special as they are.
- Alternatively, Bob freely acknowledges that Humans Are Bastards, but points out the hypocrisy to the equally flawed alien that wants to wipe us out, who subsequently can't go through with it.
- Parodied:
- Bob defends humanity for utterly trivial reasons.
- Bob's speech spirals down into a "Shaggy Frog" Story.
- Zig Zagged: Some of the time, Bob thinks Humans Are Bastards, and sometimes he thinks they are worth defending.
- Averted: Bob makes no attempt to argue why the aliens shouldn't destroy humanity.
- Enforced:
- "We feel that by explaining how Humans Are Special, Bob looks more heroic."
- The producers/writers used this chance to point out why Humans Are Special as a Take That! towards misanthropes who watch the show.
- Lampshaded: "You're going to give one of those speeches on why humans are great, aren't you?"
- Invoked: As everyone looks properly doomed, Bob says "Hey, wait, what if I made a speech about the good characteristics of humanity?"
- Exploited: The characters know that the story won't turn around for the better until someone stands up and gives a Rousing Speech first, and Bob takes the initiative.
- Defied:
- Bob decides not to defend humans because they are special in any way, but because destroying any sapient species is wrong.
- Bob refuses to give such a speech, preferring simply to wipe out the aliens who are questioning humanity.
- Discussed: "Hey, what if I tried to reason with the aliens? That might work."
- Conversed: "Whenever the aliens invade in movies, there is always someone who will say why we deserve saving."
- Deconstructed: It turns out that Bob is either lying or is clearly deluded.
- Reconstructed: His words still inspire humanity to improve themselves.
Go back to the Patrick Stewart Speech because the line must be drawn HEAH!
