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| Personal background |
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I am a 56 year old attorney turned philosophy instructor. My philosophic interests include philosophy of science, epistemology, philosophy of mathematics, cognitive sciences and philosophy of mind.
I like reading, science, philosophy, mathematics, history, photography, painting, aikido, gourmet and ethnic cooking, wining/dining, entertaining, theater and live music.
Some of my favorite musicians/albums are: Beethoven, Bach, Handel, Beatles, Willie Nelson, Ray Charles, Reba McIntyre, Jewel, Paul Simon, Yanni, Kenny G
Favorite Quote..."A 'difference' must make a difference to be difference." -- Unidentified Pragmatist. |
| Thoughts about SETI and SETI@home |
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I am supporting the SETI work because I believe in the great effects of large numbers of small events -- both in "outer space" and here on earth. The probability of extraterrestrial life existing somewhere in the Universe is incredibly high. Whether such life will be sufficiently intelligent or technological to be discovered by radio astronomy may be much less likely -- but the effort is definitely worth pursuing.
I think humans are already transmitting sufficiently in the electro-magnetic spectrum to attract attention. I would not be in favor of setting up a more powerful beacon. [To make a really good beacon, we would need to modulate the radiation of the sun, and I do not think humans are political ready for that technology.]
When humans are eventually in contact with extraterrestial intelligent life [ETIL], it is most likely to be more technologically advance than ours. Unless the ETIL have extensive and well set limits on the transfer of culture [e.g., a stronger quasi-Star Trek Prime Directive], human culture will almost certainly be largely replaced by the more advance culture. We should now spend a great deal of time in preparation -- trying to decide which components of our culture are essentially 'human' and should be retained. [Language?, cooking?, mating customs? (i.e., family structures), popular sructure?, religion?] I doubt that the ubiquitous hamburger franchise will overrun galatic culture. If humans have any part of their culture which they feel are worth preserving we should begin to inculcate its preservation now. Later may be too late. The model of the diaspora Jews may provide some important lessons. Otherwise, humans may be absorbed into a superior culture and individually float about without purpose like drift wood. Existential identity crisis may cause the human species to become extinct.
GROK? |
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