[GZG] A number of scientists respond to Hawking's concerns

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I forgot to post the link to the theory that the scifi series by Ian Douglas
used as a background. The first three books were more about Earth factions
fighting with a bit of early contact/Cydonian ruins thrown in. The later
trilogy is definitely more about meeting the sorts of critters you'd get the
screamin willies about.... (modifying the quantum state of the universe to
affect the nature of reality.... yikes...)

Indy: 1) I never said we shouldn't get off the planet. I think to avoid a big
rock extinction, that would be a good plan. I just think we shouldn't be
shouting into space. 2) I'll confirm on the SETI thing. I had heard about them
broadcasting. I
might mis-recall. It has been done, even if it wasn't them.
3) Don't kid yourself, we still give off a lot of EM. But it might not make it
too far out. The whole 'energy density drops with square (or is it cube?) of
distance' is a handy factor there. 4) Don't worry about the sun. We'll have
taken ourselves out of the picture long before that becomes a factor. (Or
we'll be able to do what they did in B5... just transmit ourselves as blobs of
energy when the system is a done
deal....)

There's lots of life possible out there. It's just clear that as far as we
can tell, getting to space is a resource-costly process. So you have to
have
a need or a desire. That means we either get hyper-expander populating
races, resource searchers, or (eek) cosmic door-to-door salesmen (or
religious proselytizers). I'm not real anxious to meet any of those by having
them show up and surprise us here.

Obviously, I put in the argument against the Fermi 'paradox' concerning many
civs, just few at any given time within hailing distance...

Nearer and dearer to my own liberal tendencies, remember the prime directive
is a convenient plot device to suggest why no contact. Klaatu and the gang
being a somewhat darker version...

I'd imagine the whole, 'On second thought, let's not go to (Earth). It is a
silly place.' is another possibility. 'Now, Barnard's Star is JUMPING! '

Or, imagine you got the skinny from War of the World's Martians. 'Don't go
there! It's a death trap!' ;->=

I still think the speculation is premature. Listening is good, sending is low
risk but should be rethought, and a reliance on unmanned probes doesn't
properly support the presence vigilance requires in most worse cases.

The_Beast