I am not so arrogant as to think we are the only living beings in the universe. My question and apparently the question of others is “Will we ever find others?†While my interests range from what kind of life exists, social structure and quality of life to theoretical propulsion systems for interstellar travel.
Should we transmit a beacon for others to find? Sure, why not. The sending of specific information might meet the same sort of theoretical expectations of a sent message as we have presumed might be sent to us. I think it would be make much more sense to send a constant signal. Similar to the old fashioned light houses once used to help ships navigate. It should be a signal that would be hard to confuse with background noise and still provide a consistent beacon for those cultures who might be looking.
I run SETI@home because since I was young I have always looked up at the stars and they have fascinated me. It also helps me feed a small part of the romantic nature of my personality. One other reason I enjoy doing this is due to a friend in high school who has gone on to be an Astronaut and pilot. I may never walk among the stars as he has but I can still do my part.
SETI@home and Astropulse are funded by grants from the National Science Foundation, NASA, and donations from SETI@home volunteers. AstroPulse is funded in part by the NSF through grant AST-0307956.
