[net.space] intelligence

morgoth@ccieng5.UUCP (morgoth) (07/28/83)

This article (and others) probably really belong in net.philosopy rather
than net.space, but at any rate:

Everyone assumes SETI works because it will detect the radio emissions of
other intelligent cultures on other planets. This has two flaws: [1]
other cultures may be intelligent using other forms of communication
(i.e. telepathy) or incapable of building transmitters (dolphins). [2]
other cultures know better than we do and are paranoid enough not to 
transmit to the pirates of the universe where they are and use more energy
efficient means of communications (masers, lasers, ???).

Comments?

				Morgoth
				seismo!rochester!ritcv!ccieng5!ccieng2:bwm

GZ@MIT-MC@sri-unix.UUCP (07/31/83)

From:  Gail Zacharias <GZ @ MIT-MC>

So we're not looking for all possible forms of ETI, just those that we can
contact given our and their level and form of development.  This is rather
obvious if not outright tautological.  What else could we POSSIBLY do? Try
to communicate with life forms we can't contact?

Investigation of globally invisible, planet-bound life forms will
necessarily have to wait until we have the ability to visit.  That's a long
way off, and people interested in that sort of thing should get into
dolphin research (which will probably come in handy once time comes).