Posted on 09/24/2015 10:14:39 AM PDT by lbryce
22 Articles on Whether Or Not To Search for Extraterrestrial Life.
Full Title:Commentaries: Stephen Hawking's Aliens. The Search for Intelligent Extraterrestrial Life. Project Breakthrough Listen
Abstract
Stephen Hawking and Yuri Milner have launched a $100m search for intelligent alien life beyond solar system; a program focused on listening for radio signals coming from advanced civilizations far beyond the solar system, which, presumably, rely on similar technologies as those of the present civilizations of Earth. The search will be 50 times more sensitive, and cover 10 times more sky, than previous hunts for alien life. According to Stephen Hawking the effort is "critically important" and may answer the question of whether humanity is alone in the universe. "It’s time to commit to finding the answer, to search for life beyond Earth. Mankind has a deep need to explore, to learn, to know. We also happen to be sociable creatures. It is important for us to know if we are alone in the dark." Project Breakthrough Listen is funded Yuri Milner, a Russian internet billionaire: "It is our responsibility as human beings to use the best equipment we have to try to answer one of the biggest questions: are we alone?"
Signals will not be broadcast from Earth into space, announcing our presence; in part because of the concern that voracious aliens may decided to conquer our planet once they know of its existence and resources. Hawking, like many others, has warned against shouting into the cosmos, because some advanced alien civilizations might possess the same violent traits as humans.
"A civilisation reading one of our messages could be billions of years ahead of us. If so they will be vastly more powerful and may not see us as any more valuable than we see bacteria," he said.
(Excerpt) Read more at cosmology.com ...
Yeah, I have more than that to do, LOTS more. If only the wife would be more informed and/or more concerned about the future than about the latest things on sale....
Hey Steve check out the episodes of Ancient Aliens on the HIstory Channel that are on about every time I turn on the set. Good stuff. Fact is they’re still here very likely checking you out.
I believe that a people lasts until it destroys itself, or at least destroys its ability to do anything “off planet”.
It’s almost like a self destruct mechanism, or a governor on a car.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.