| Contact with Alien Civilizations: Our Hopes and Fears about Encountering Extraterrestrials 2007 Edition Contributor(s): Michaud, Michael (Author) |
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ISBN: 0387285989 ISBN-13: 9780387285986 Publisher: Copernicus Books OUR PRICE: $36.09 Product Type: Hardcover - Other Formats Published: November 2006 Annotation: What are the implications for Humankind of alien civilizations that may be "out there?" In thinking about contact with extraterrestrials, we have to grapple with a host of philosophical, religious, and societal questions. The biggest is whether the outcome of contact will be beneficial or harmful. Will contact uplift us, bringing a golden age of wisdom and prosperity? Or will it demoralize, even destroy us? This thought-provoking book presents a rainbow of opinions expressed by scientists, sociologists, historians, legal and political thinkers, and many others. The author takes into account not only scientific speculation, but also fiction and popular opinion. He challenges the most frequent assumptions that unerlie our thinking. He looks at both sides of the "where are they" debate, questioning the alleged paradox and proposing new ways of thinking about the issue. The serious practical questions raised by extraterrestrial intelligence are becoming harder to avoid as our search technologies and methods improve, as we identify ever-greater numbers of planets orbiting other stars, and as the wave front of our radio, television, and radar signals reaches out into the Galaxy. How should we deal with contact if it happens? What do we want to say to an extraterrestrial civilization? Will we speak as one, or as many? What should we do if we find alien technology in our solar system? Should we simply be watchers and listeners, or should we actively seek contact by sending out messages proclaiming our presence? Our answers reveal our hopes and our fears. |
| Additional Information |
| BISAC Categories: - Science | Astronomy - Science | Physics - Astrophysics - Science | Life Sciences - General |
| Dewey: 128 |
| LCCN: 2006923105 |
| Physical Information: 1.61" H x 6.44" W x 9.4" (1.95 lbs) 466 pages |
| Descriptions, Reviews, Etc. |
| Publisher Description: The proper study of mankind is not merely Man, but Intelligence. 1 --Arthur C. Clarke, 1951 In the long-running television series "The X-Files," the original Deep Throat said to FBI Special Agent Mulder that "there are those like yourself who believe in the existence of extraterrestrial life." Ah, but that's not the question. If extraterrestrial life exists, most of it may be in simpler forms comparable to the one-celled organisms of Earth biology. Finding such life would be fascinating for scientists, but may be of only passing interest to the general public. What intrigues the average citizen is the possibility of contact with extraterrestrial intelligence. We want to communicate with other sentient beings, learning what they know and telling them about ourselves. We want to ? nd out how they are like us and how they are different. Microorganisms don't have a lot to say. There is another implication of contact that underlies this book: Intel- gent extraterrestrials might have an impact on our future. The information they send us--if any--might change our cultures. They could have c- scious intentions toward us, and possibly the technologies to reach us directly. Their intentions may be benign--or not. Our interest in alien minds is not new. The idea that intelligent beings exist beyond the Earth has been part of the Western intellectual tradition for more than 2000 years. Sometimes this belief was widespread; at other times, it was out of fashion. |