Active Assessment of Active SETI

by H. Paul Shuch, Ph.D.

Almost since its inception nearly half a century ago, SETI science has seen its supporters wage a running battle over the question of transmissions from Earth. Deliberate transmission of signals into space, sometimes called Active SETI, is justified by its proponents on the grounds of reciprocity. That is, some argue, we cannot in good conscience search for signals which we would hope other civilizations might choose to beam our way, if we ourselves are not willing to transmit such signals from Earth. The counter-argument involves the safety, and some would say the very survival, of our planet.

Critics to Active SETI point out the dangers of shouting in the jungle. Radio amateurs in support of Active SETI counter that (1) the cat is already out of the bag, as we have been inadvertently transmitting to the stars for a century or so, and (2) if everybody's listening and nobody calls CQ, the bands will appear dead to all concerned.

http://www.setileague.org/editor/sanmarin.htm