Astrobiology and Ethics Research Papers (original) (raw)

Mark Buchanan’s recent Thesis column — ‘Searching for trouble?’ — accurately summarizes key objections to Messaging Extra-terrestrial Intelligence (METI), in which powerful, intentional signals are transmitted to specific astronomical... more

Mark Buchanan’s recent Thesis column — ‘Searching for trouble?’ — accurately summarizes key objections to Messaging Extra-terrestrial Intelligence (METI), in which powerful, intentional signals are transmitted to specific astronomical targets, in the hope of a reply. Most notably, Buchanan characterizes METI as seeming “inherently risky”.

The risk we most often hear about — alien invasion — is simply not plausible, however. Any civilization slightly more advanced than we are could already detect our presence through our accidental electromagnetic radiation. Only a virtual twin of modern terrestrial technology would pick up information-rich beacons but be blind to the BBC at interstellar distances. If we are in danger of an alien invasion, it’s too late.