Animated GIF to be beamed into space as part of alien communication effort

The Verge ^ | 6/17/13 | Jacob Kastrenakes

[LibWhacker]

In 2008 NASA decided to send one of the heights of modern art — The Beatles' 1969 track "Across the Universe" — into the cosmos. And for 2013, one of the pillars of internet folk art is preparing for takeoff: An animated GIF is about to be sent into space for the first time ever. The message will be beamed over a giant radio dish in California tomorrow as part of the inaugural transmission of Lone Signal, a project that's hoping to communicate with extraterrestrials. The GIF will be sent toward Gliese 526, a potentially habitable solar system 17.6 light years away. It should arrive there around 2031.

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The GIF features a balding man scratching his ear and has been titled "Humans watching Digital Art." Lone Signal specifically invited the GIF's creator, conceptual artist Kim Asendorf, to contribute a message for the satellite's debut transmission. If you're disappointed with what may be aliens' first impression of Earth, you have reason both for concern and relief — for a nominal cost, Lone Signal will soon allow anyone to send their message of choice out toward the stars.

[Resolute Conservative]

Where is facepalm man?

[E. Pluribus Unum]

Some people have WAY too much time on their hands.

[Vendome]

[MrB]

They would have been better off sending porn. Really.

[RightGeek]

That sucks but it could have been worse: Hillary Clinton

[Resolute Conservative]

Someone on FR said a while back that his theory about UFO’s was they are not coming here to take specimens to study us, Earth is a garbage dump and they bring their stupidest beings here and leave them.

I am starting to agree.

[Boogieman]

Some species would take that as an invitation though...

[mountainlion]

Satan’s angels in the UFOs are laughing at us again.

[Buckeye McFrog]

aiming for that all-important 18-461 alien demographic...

[COBOL2Java]

[JennysCool]

Oddly enough, I've just been looking through some animated gifs ... I guess the day is long gone when NASA might send something like this:

[Slyfox]

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

I suggest this one:

[Da Coyote]

???

What the .....???

Those clowns are stupid enough to work in the West Wing.

[Liberty Valance]

[SoldierDad]

Did NOT these people watch, “BATTLESHIP”??? Sheesh!

[MrB]

I was just thinking - what if what the man is doing is a highly offensive gesture in another culture, worthy of planetary destruction?

[jmacusa]

You realize of course this image is going to haunt me forever? Thanks man.

[mardi59]

If they want to communicate with an alien just send an email to the WH.