Friday 7 August 2009

Why we should search for ET

“I wish that you would empower Earthlings everywhere to become active participants in the ultimate search for cosmic company" - Jill Tarter.
Astronomer Jill Tarter is director of the Center for SETI (Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence) Research. Watch her powerful speech as she accepts the TED prize earlier this year [21:24].

Why the search for alien intelligence matters

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

“I wish that you would empower Earthlings everywhere to become active participants in the ultimate search for cosmic company" - Jill Tarter.
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I like that...she's saying there's got to be someone or something out there...I mean, except God. Ha ha ha....busted!

Andy Holroyd said...

No, Jill Tarter does not say "there's got to be someone or something out there", she's saying let's look to see if there is. This is valid scientific research.

Laughing and invoking magical spirits will teach mankind nothing about reality. You have all my sympathy.

Anonymous said...

This is valid scientific research.
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If you say so ol' chap...hey, can I have some grant and tax money from you to pursue a futile scientific endeavor on whether or not alien life forms will like rock music and the effects of hashish?

Andy Holroyd said...

If you write a proper grant application I'm sure your project will receive due consideration (hint: leave out the word 'futile').

Better still why not apply to your church? They often seem to be awash with money. Run a study on alien appreciation of organ music and incense.

Anonymous said...

They often seem to be awash with money.
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Yes, they have money, and they foolishly spend most of it helping people only on this planet.