There's a lot of talk on here about the slim odds of finding a directed light beam. Isn't the whole SETI project about slim odds? - finding the needle in galactic haystack?
Until we actually search, the argument over how any potentially technologically advanced civilisation might try to contact us is just pure conjecture. It's kind of like debating whether anyone is going to call when the telephone is unplugged.
Surely we should investigate all possible avenues - this is science after all. Any technique that increases the likelihood of finding alien civilisations is a good thing...we need to know who is out there and whether they are friend or foe...
In addition to its more noble goals, SETI could/should also be viewed by the more reality-focussed as an early warning system. Maybe the Pentagon should cough-up some greenbacks!
Then we wouldn't have to rely on Will Smith.
For all you Johny-Foreigners out there...
England is part of the United Kingdom (along with Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and some other bits). Actually it's even more complicated than this but the net effect is the same.
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There's a lot of talk on here about the slim odds of finding a directed light beam. Isn't the whole SETI project about slim odds? - finding the needle in galactic haystack? Until we actually search, the argument over how any potentially technologically advanced civilisation might try to contact us is just pure conjecture. It's kind of like debating whether anyone is going to call when the telephone is unplugged. Surely we should investigate all possible avenues - this is science after all. Any technique that increases the likelihood of finding alien civilisations is a good thing...we need to know who is out there and whether they are friend or foe... In addition to its more noble goals, SETI could/should also be viewed by the more reality-focussed as an early warning system. Maybe the Pentagon should cough-up some greenbacks! Then we wouldn't have to rely on Will Smith.
For all you Johny-Foreigners out there... England is part of the United Kingdom (along with Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and some other bits). Actually it's even more complicated than this but the net effect is the same.