Confessions Of An Alien Hunter

By Michael Schirber

for Astrobiology Magazine

Moffett Field CA (SPX) Mar 24, 2009

The search for extraterrestrial intelligence, or SETI, turns 50 years old this year. By scanning the cosmic radio dial, it has forged a scientific beachhead into the mystery of whether we are alone in the universe. One of its main disciples has written a book chronicling the history and offering an apologia as to why it is a worthy cause.

As senior astronomer at the SETI Institute, Seth Shostak spends a good deal of his time publicly championing the search for extraterrestrial intelligence. He writes popular articles, gives presentations and even offers technical advice on movie sets (showing Keanu Reeves, for example, how to write the Greek letter “mu” on a blackboard).

In his new book Confessions of an Alien Hunter: A Scientist’s Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence, Shostak provides an insider’s account of the SETI universe.

Shostak defends his choice of work from detractors that would say he and his companions are tilting at windmills. He is neither bitter nor strident - instead he weighs the opposing viewpoints very carefully (sometimes obscuring his own convictions).

FUll article here:

http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/Confessions_Of_An_Alien_Hunter_999.html