Refining the search for what's 'out there'

This article titled Refining the search for what's 'out there' published by the Los Angeles Times, was written as an interview format from two brothers Gregory and James Benford who are both astrophysicists, and their nephew. They decided to collaborate together with their knowledge of economics, astrophysics, space, and decided to take on a different aspect of SETI (Search for ExtraTerrestrial Intelligence) by posing the question "What would beacon transmitters be like if built by civilizations that cared about cost?" They assumed that if extra terrestial life were to build a beacon transmitter, they would be 'money minded' and rather than just blast transmitter signals openly into space, they would send short narrow pulses that could even  deciphered as pictures, letters, and other information. The only problem with this is the aspect of time in all of the transmitting of signals and what not, is that if we were to receive a signal from another intelligent life it would take thousands of years to send a signal back, and just as long to actually receive it. Scientists say that we have not discovered any intelligent life form in our solar system, and that the chances of there being any is slim. But that doesn't mean that there isn't any life out there, there is just no way. Another problem in the process of developing and creating this "beacon" transmitter on Earth, is that it would take billions to create it, and millions of dollars to run it. This poses a definite problem. I thought it was interesting that they noted the 'motives' for extra terrestrials to send out signals and the reasoning why they might be trying to contact outsiders. The first motive they described as the Funeral Pyre, which meant that the contact was due to a dead civilization and are trying to attract attention. The second motive described as "High Church" meaning that the civilization is wanting to share with others their great culture and the things they have done on their planet. The last motive is the 911 call for help, if the civilization needs help on a struggling problem concerning the planet or the population and is seeking out other sources. Reading what Stephen Hawking said about the extraterrestial life acting as a predator and is only out to seek and colonize is just absurd. I think that if a planet were to be seeking out help from another civilization on a distant planet, I think it would be for the sake of finding out if there is life out there, and possibly their willingness to share what they have on their planet or new technologies, life,sustainable strategies, new resources, ect. It is just so hard to say one thing, without considering other perspectives. Benford states in the end of the article that trying to travel such distances in space is far to expensive, and would most likely not occur. In my opinion, the sheer thought of there being another planet that has life flourishing on it is just astonishing.   I really do believe there is extra terrestrial life out there beyond out solar system.. planets that may be as complex as planet Earth, with an abundance of biodiversity, farming, resources, and people. Who says it's not possible? The creation of the earth and the evolution of humans is mind boggling enough, but when it is broken down it makes sense. The complexity of such a thing as evolution could very well have existed way before man walked on two feet thousands of years ago-happening on other planet. Another world. Another place with history. It is a very exciting and intriguing topic that many of us struggle to comprehend-are we the only ones out there? As we continue to 'refine' our search (SETI) I believe that within the next hundred, maybe thousand years we might make contact with outsiders who may be living the same kind of lives as we are here. Who knows? The technological advancement and development even in the past hundred years is so progressive, it's crazy to think of what things might be like in the next few hundred years. That answer lies in the future, and for now it's just another one of life's greatest mysteries.

Another note, we are going to the Waimanalo organic farm tomorrow for our Anthropology and get to tour the farm, and eat at Sweet Home Waimanalo. I am pretty excited to see what this farm is all about, how it is completely sustainable, and hopefully learn some new techniques and strategies for a sustainable farm. I hope to take in as much as I can, to build my knowledge and experience so that I too one day can start a sustainable farm and be able to eat organic foods without the harsh externals of ingesting herbicides, and other toxic chemicals. I think that Kevin and his organization Ainability is a man with a dream, and an idea that he's pursuing and actually making happen. I hope to get an opportunity to go volunteer and work on the farm when the spring time comes!