Most of you have probably read this article: How Will We React To First Contact? The SETI Institute Wants Your Answers. Part of a series currently appearing at that site.

But for those who haven't, the article makes mention of a survey being conducted on-line by the SETI Institute.

For myself, I see SETI as a near-impossible endeavor and Fermi's Paradox as a red herring. We've had 'paradoxes' before - Greek ones like Zeno's - and more recent versions such as those proposed by Creationists. These two ET problems are linked, in my opinion. SETI fails for the same reasons Fermi's Paradox fails. Civilizations are not actively and carelessly broadcasting their existence willy-nilly to the rest of the universe. Expensive and possibly risky. Nor are they actively flying around galaxies in interstellar cruisers. Star-travel may or may not be possible, but it certainly is impractical. Just my opinion.

If anyone does try to send a signal, there are going to be some problems which may prove insurmountable. Over great distances such as are likely to be found between the Milky Way's few advanced civilizations, signals will be stretched, distorted, altered. The scintillation problem. Then again, what do I know? My training is in science, not engineering. And over the years I have learned there is a difference.