mike (10/21/82)
The whole issue is obvious... All "intelligent" "civilizations" are alone together. All the arguments that we see in these pages is based on a very weak premise: - that we are from an intelligent species. I personally have no faith in our ability to construct some sort of replicating device to "boldly go..." without it changing or forgetting what it was meant to do. Even with redundancy and checksums et al, I say no. What about the "galactic environment"? (I hear it now: "What about it?") Can we really present ourselves as members of an intelligent species while we unloose a mechanical disease that digs, scours, and eats whatever it requires to fufill its purpose? If we could put in all the safeguards to respect all environments, then we would already know everything that we're searching for. Why does everyone assume that advanced "intelligences" will have advanced technologies? I don't think that's necessary. Perhaps it's a leftover from science fiction. Why am I beginning to sound like Andy Rooney? Why would I care? Rockin' the boat, Yers truly, Mike Hall