THE SEARCH FOR EXTRATERRESTRIAL INTELLIGENCE

Visit the SETI Institute

Readings (on reserve in Hill Library):

• Alternative linguistic frameworks: communications with extraterrestrial beings

  (George F. Sefler, in Nicholas D. Smith (ed.), Philosophers look at science fiction. Nelson-Hall, 1982, pp. 67-74.)

• Omnilinguals

  (Peter Barker in ibid., pp. 75-85)

• Rudy Rucker's essay on SETI

  (published with ALIEN TONGUE, a novel by Stephen Leigh, Bantam Spectra, 1991.)

• Sky Reporter columns

  (John P. Wiley, Jr., Natural History, April 1972 & August/September 1972)

Optional:

• How to talk to people, if any, on other planets

  (Ralph E. Lapp, Harper's Magazine, March 1961)

• Alien communication

  (Derwent Mercer, The Listener, 1/7/65)

Homework OPTION A: SEMANTIC ISSUES

Based on the readings and your own personal outlook, answer the questions that the "Sky Reporter" column asked its readers in 1972. Also: assuming that we continue to send messages into outer space, consider: 1) What meanings do we want to express? (What do we want aliens to know about us, and what might we NOT want them to know?) 2) What is the best way to convey those meanings, so other life forms could understand them? How can we minimize the risk of misunderstanding?

Homework OPTION B: COGNITIVE ISSUES

How would you define "intelligent life"? How would you determine, upon first contact, whether or not a species was "intelligent"? If a species is "intelligent" according to your definition, should we (eventually) be able to communicate with it? Do you agree with Sefler or with Barker about the possibility of communicating with extraterrestrial life? Why?

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