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Ezechiel

Ezechiel

Paranormal Adept
http://cosmiclog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2009/06/11/1961676.aspx
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After years of preparation and testing, the SETI Institute has released the first results from a search for alien signals that uses the $50 million, 42-dish Allen Telescope Array. You didn't hear about it? Maybe that's because none of the thousands of signals picked up so far has rung an alarm bell.

Silly effort to investigate ;)
 
This brings to mind several random thoughts. First -- and I think our intrepid Paracast "signal from noise" host could better answer this -- BUT wouldn't a relatively weak intelligent signal be completely overwhelmed and washed out (if you will) by the much stronger noise from its nearby star? Like, for example, trying to discern a flickering LED in front of a searchlight...

And as has been mentioned by others before, this presupposes that an alien civilization would have developed the same kinds of communications technologies. On the other hand -- there are always two hands -- I suppose in the infinity of space, some alien civilizations HAVE developed the same communications technologies.

This is, however, the ultimate statement of our times. Network television has become sooo bad that we're now looking to space for alternative programming.
 
I always figured that the whole SETI program was a huge waste of resources. I mean, trying to pick up transmissions? Give me a break. I'm well aware that we sent something out the transmits data, but those things are such a shot in the dark that the chances of something discovering it are slim to nil at best.

I always thought that we should try to communicate using some sort of light transmission satellite to use different sort of light arrays sent out in different directions, like some sort of big beacon, woulda been a more effective means of communicating.

As far as receiving alien signals, well, I think if we were to pick up an alien signal it would be one they sent to us on purpose, and if we were to pick up any sort of transmission, it probably would have gone the way of the bloop. Mainly unnoticed by the populace and completly untranslatable.
 
I'll have to admit that while I'm not exactly a SETI supporter, I am tolerable and praise the concept of what they've been doing. As extremely far fetched as it is, at least someone is doing it. It takes care of the, "We'd never know if we didn't try." scenario, like Frank Drake mentioned during SETI's inception. I think a lot of it is hyped up though, and Seth Shostak could wake the dead if he wanted to with his monotonous, arbitrary chirping. Do I think they will succeed? I won't presume to know, but I do know that modern astronomy is beginning to overshadow the SETI premise with the influx of so many planet hunter astronomers being born, and planet hunting satellites. Within the next decade we'll have instruments that are not only able to spot planets in other solar systems, but accurately guage what elements are in their atmosphere. I'd put my money on the regular garden variety astronomer before I would SETI.
 
If you really need a reason to quit the internet for the day, visit the website of the guy who posted the 3rd comment to that article. I wonder if HWSNBN is aware that someone knows a truth that proves his ETs are lying to him? Oh how I long for a BS-Alert browser plugin.
 
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