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SciFri |
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The topic: SETI. Here's what some of you had to say...
Of course it is. The people who think it is not are just afraid of change and of having their faith crushed. Rich Laiacona I completely and whole heartedly belive that SETI's research is worth while. Thaddeus D. Matula YES, science like this is always worth while. The public doesn't understand that science projects and exploration often result in failure. This is not a bad thing, it is part of the method. Finding out what doesn't work and building from that knowledge is how we move forward. (But you knew that). From the calls you receive it is obvious that you are not just preaching to the choir, hopefully you are educating some of the people who haven't benefited from a scientific education. Dave Burton Yes. But it bothers me that funds are spent for SETI and nothing is being done on asteroid/earth collision potential, the results of which may be far more significant for a continuing future. DICK I believe it is. The future is in space. Whether it is manufacturing materials in zero gravity or the drive of human curiosity, we need to explore and study every part of the universe in which we live. If we ignore this vast unknown, we will stagnate and most likely become extinct in time. The answers and questions are leading to space and the oceans. We can not ignore these regions. They will call to us as long we exist.
Absolutely not! Until we can handle the technology we have (A-bombs, soft bombs, smart bombs, graphic bombs, etc) and stop the grief and destruction we cause on our fellow humans (Serbs, Albanians, currently) we have no business going on another scientific fishing expedition to see what we might find. At best the SETI project is a waste of time and money, at worst the end of our fragile civilization. When will these "bright" scientists gather up enough moral courage to say "enough!" Instead of thinking up ways to fund their next project or continue the ongoing one, why not look out on the social landscape, the political wasteland, and turn their minds and hearts to doing some good in the world. Jerry Lindsey The big question that I have in determining the worth of SETI stems from the fact that there seems to be no logical basis for the search. There are 4 questions that come to mind when I think about the SETI program. 1. Why is it presumed impossible for life to exist in
only one place? Michael Gregory Wasted money that could be used much better in biothechnology research with possible immediate benefits. The reason is simple: No living organism can possibly travel light years toward us or us toward them. In my mind it is a given that other living things exist somwhere in the cosmos, so what? The exciting cutting edge of science today isn't space but biology. Biology has taken over the place of physics for our own good. Almost everyday some startling discovery by biology comes to light. Every penny squandered on space research that will not bring tangible result down here is a waste as long as we need to take care of our fellow humans down here. The recent discovery of a dozen-or-so extrasolar planets, strongly supports the long-held view that every star in the universe (some 10, 000 billion billion in all) has a family of planets, some fraction of which could sustain intelligent life. And, because we earthlings have already mastered much of the radio, laser and data-processing technologies needed to undertake interstellar-communication, it is likely that many others out there did the same long ago. If so, they could be directing powerful radio or laser signals our way as we speak. While the odds may be against early detection of such signals, "listening" for them is well worth the time, effort and expense. And speaking of expense, government funding for this enterprise is probably unnecessary. The intense and growing public interest in this enterprise will, no doubt, translate into sufficient private funding. Gerald L. Fitzpatrick SETI research is not only worthwhile but absolutely necessary. The mindlessness of our elected and appointed officials and of our deliberately ignorant religious professionals, and the knee-jerk anti-science stance of the Right wing notwithstanding, a search for other technological civilizations can only enlighten us. The discovery of such civilizations, or the lack of discovery after a concerted effort, have profound implications. Despite the popular cant, ignorance is never a virtue. T. J. Spellmire It might be a waste of effort. This is because a civilization might rely on broadcast radio for a very brief time. Look at us. In a few years all communication might end up being done via phone lines or their equivalent, a la the internet. It is difficult to image us still using broadcast radio many years from now. It will probably seem archaic. All the SETI researchers should I think, just get a life. Peter Wlodarski Aboslutely! Not only is the work of SETI worthwhile, it is essential to establishing mankind's place in this universe. Mathmatics, the law of averages and our current understanding of astronomy, and physics all clearly indicate that intelligent life exists both in our galaxy, as well as in many other galaxies. To not use every bit of technology at our finger-tips to reach out and announce our presence in the universe is the philosophical and sociological equlivalent of playing ostrich with our collective heads in the sand. Life does not begin and end with earth. Todd C. Smith | |
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