SETI: Calling Collect
I have a peeve about SETI. SETI searches the airwaves for a call from ET. Although most scientists agree that odds are in favour of intelligent life out there, as yet we haven't found evidence of it.As it happens, we humans don't bother sending a signal out ourselves. This is because of (1) the energy and thus cost involved and (2) the payback would take several thousand years so why bother.
Well if you believe they're out there, then why be a freeloader? If ET has the same attitude, we'll never get a call through! I suggest making a bit of effort on this front and perhaps it will result in a bit of good karma on the SETI front. Let's make the first call. At the very least, it may mean the universe will echo with our voices after we're all long gone.
I suspect the SETI folks might feel the same way but they probably have barely enough money to do anything but listen. So what do you say Bill? Care to shout at the universe? Think of all the markets without Internet Explorer...
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R
OK no sooner did I post this that I discovered you can place the call for $3.99/ minute: E.T., don't phone home--we'll call youSunday, April 24, 2005