How Alien Contact Might Work
06/28/22 • 50 min
7 Listeners
If we ever found evidence of intelligent alien life (or they found us) what would we say? Who would say it for us? These seemingly silly questions are vitally important depending on your view.
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If we ever found evidence of intelligent alien life (or they found us) what would we say? Who would say it for us? These seemingly silly questions are vitally important depending on your view.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Stuff You Should Know - How Alien Contact Might Work
Transcript Summary
In this episode titled "How Alien Contact Might Work," the podcast explores various aspects of communicating with extraterrestrial intelligence. The hosts discuss the Rio scale, a system that measures the public's excitement about different levels of alien discoveries. They delve into the protocols and concerns surrounding potential contact, considering the intentions of extraterrestrial intelligence and the challenges of communication due to sensory and experiential differences. The episode also touches on the importance of funding and research in this field, the influence of science fiction, and the concept of the Great Filter. Additionally, the discussion extends to the search for extraterrestrial artifacts, featuring the Galileo Project and the credibility of Avi Loeb. While acknowledging the difficulties and uncertainties of interacting with extraterrestrial intelligence, this episode provides fascinating insights and raises intriguing questions about our potential interactions with other civilizations beyond our planet.
Transcript
Welcome to Stuff you should know, a production of I Heart Radio. Hey, and welcome to the podcast. I'm Josh, and Chuck's here too, and so Jerry, and this is stuff you should know. I don't have a shirt on.
Speaker 1That's cool. I don't have pants on. I probably should have told you that before we got going, but or not at all. But that is a definitely the state that we're in these days. It's totally fine
How Alien Contact Might Work Top Questions Answered
How does the International Academy of Astronautics (IAA) handle potential extraterrestrial signals?
The IAA has protocols and guidelines for handling potential ET signals, ensuring transparency and collaboration with scientists worldwide.
What is the purpose of the RIO scale?
The RIO scale helps gauge the excitement surrounding potential ET discoveries and enables astronomers to communicate their significance to the public and scientific community.
How would the SETI Permanent Committee respond to a confirmed extraterrestrial signal?
If a confirmed ET signal is detected, the SETI Permanent Committee would protect and intensively study the electromagnetic band used for communication.
What are the potential intentions of extraterrestrial civilizations towards humanity?
The intentions of ET civilizations are uncertain, as they could be altruistic or hostile based on the assumption of universal natural selection.
What are some considerations for observing and communicating with extraterrestrial intelligences?
The idea of observing from a distance and sending robots before direct contact is discussed. Additionally, a military document called "Seven Steps to Contact" outlines a similar procedure.
How can advanced civilizations interact with us?
Advanced civilizations may accidentally infect us with diseases, undermine us intentionally or unintentionally, or even decide to eliminate us if they see us as a threat to life in general.
Are there any ongoing initiatives to search for extraterrestrial artifacts or technology?
The Galileo Project, led by Harvard astronomer Avi Loeb, actively searches for unidentified aerial phenomena and possible extraterrestrial artifacts using telescopes.
How challenging is it to communicate with extraterrestrial intelligence?
Communication with extraterrestrial intelligence is challenging due to factors like potential differences in senses, modes of communication, and intergalactic distances.
What is the World Economic Forum's perspective on the possibility of contact with extraterrestrial life?
The World Economic Forum considers the possibility of being contacted or discovering extraterrestrial life as an "X factor" in their Global Risks paper.
Why is active research and funding important in preparing for possible future scenarios related to extraterrestrial contact?
Active research and funding are crucial because it is challenging to predict and prepare for possible future scenarios without dedicated efforts in the field.
Is there a possibility of a limited series documentary on "The End of the World" podcast?
While there are no concrete plans yet, there is an open possibility of a limited series documentary for "The End of the World" podcast.
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