S.A.T.I. - The Search For Any Terrestrial Intelligence
By Cary
Shulman
SETI the Search for
Extraterrestrial Intelligence, has been scanning the universe for radio signals
from civilizations in outer space. Below is the screensaver image sent to
volunteers who offer up down time on their home computers to help with the
massive computations involved in the search.
The universe is a vast place to pore over,
but scientists have calculated the heavens should be filled with countless
civilizations thousands or even millions of years more advanced than us. And the
way technology accelerates they should be able more than able to make themselves
heard. The scientists, with the help of their amateur volunteers, have heard not
so much as a squeak. A sky filled with advanced civilizations and nothing but
silence. This phenomenon has been referred to as "The Great Silence" and is
quite a paradox, first noted by the famous physicist Enrico Fermi. Various
theories have been advanced as explanations. But to us there is only one that
rings true...
No one who thinks like us
survives.
Given that our kind doesn't
last long enough in the universe for good conversation, it makes sense to us to
shift the search from extraterrestrial intelligence to that of almost equally
rare terrestrial intelligence. Over the years there have been rumors of such
contacts being made, but none has passed careful scrutiny. It's a daunting a
task we agree, but we believe still worth the effort given the prognosis for our
future evidenced in the heavens. Your help would be appreciated. There isn't
much time left so let's fire up those silicon chips and get
cracking.
Posted: Sat
- November 1, 2003 at 04:43 PM