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Space/Science » in reply to SETI’s Dilemma: Break the Great Silence?

Lu-ceeeeeeeeeee!
Hank — (archived)

I'm convinced our signals are too weak and too intermittent, and have been broadcast for too short a time, to have much of a probability of detection unless the listeners know where, when and what to look for, regardless of their level of technical competence. Even a high information content signal like video looks like white noise unless you know exactly how it is encoded. Our only footprint on the ether is the frequencies and bandwidths we use are not likely to be mistaken for natural processes, but once they sink below the background noise, they are diluted beyond recognition. Sic transit gloria astra.

Personally, I have no problem with going to an active SETI mode, but I would have second thoughts about initiating this program without first consulting my fellow humans. That would only be good manners. I believe there is little risk of any negative consequences and probably much to be gained, at least, for our descendants. But this is the sort of issue we can certainly afford to delay until we've all had a chance to talk it over first.

However, initiating a debate of this nature may do much for generating some public interest in SETI in particular, and our place in the universe in general.

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