Insights Into Tomorrow: Episode 5 “SETI”

What is the Search for Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence, when did it start, is it worth what it costs and what happens if we find something?

We’ll investigate these questions in this edition of the podcast while also looking at a history of SETI, radio astronomy and how academics, enthusiasts and the cold war drive America’s efforts with SETI. We’ll ponder the philosophical question of whether there is intelligent life in the universe and we’ll talk about the Drake Equation and how many of it’s guesswork variables are quickly forming up to be factual estimates based on current findings in our understanding of the universe.

We will also take a look at the costs of SETI, it’s research and the bureaucracy that it depends on. We’ll explore the benefits that we’ve seen from the efforts of people like Carl Sagan and Paul Alan to deepen our understanding of life in the universe. And we’ll ask you the audience to decide if the investments have been worth the benefits.

In our final segment we’ll talk about the various scenarios facing the human race should we encounter other intelligent life. We’ll it be a peaceful and beneficial first contact like that depicted on Star Trek. Or do we face an apocalyptic Independence Day style catastrophic first contact? Are we as a civilization even ready for first contact and what impact could it have on us as a species?

We’ll explore all this and more on this episode of Insights Into Tomorrow!

Check out our recently published article on this subject available now on Medium.com.