From Interstellar Imperialism to Celestial Wayfinding: Prime Directives and Colonial Time-Knots in SETI

2021 ◽  
Vol 45 (1) ◽  
pp. 45-70
Author(s):  
William Lempert
Keyword(s):  
Working Group ◽  
Current Trend ◽  
Indigenous Studies ◽  
Time And Space ◽  
Extraterrestrial Intelligence ◽  
Colonial Time ◽  
Alternative Approaches ◽  
Firsthand Experience ◽  
Prime Directive

This article traces parallels between James Cook’s 1768 Endeavour voyage to measure the transit of Venus and current initiatives searching for extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI). While separated by vast time and space, both are united in their appeal to celestial frontier science in the service of all humanity, and contain discrepancies between their ethical protocols and probable outcomes. Past, present, and future colonial projects are interwoven by drawing on Dipesh Chakrabarty’s “time-knot,” Star Trek’s “prime directive,” and firsthand experience in SETI’s Indigenous studies working group. This analysis cautions against the current trend toward unabated interstellar imperialism and suggests alternative approaches for engaging outer spaces and beings through celestial wayfinding.

An Introduction to Settler Science and the Ethics of Contact

2021 ◽  
Vol 45 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
David Delgado Shorter ◽  
Kim TallBear
Keyword(s):  
American Indian ◽  
History Of Science ◽  
Working Group ◽  
Space Exploration ◽  
Indigenous Studies ◽  
Special Issue ◽  
Indian Culture ◽  
Extraterrestrial Intelligence ◽  
Research Journal ◽  
History Of

Providing the history and significance of the varied collection of articles in this American Indian Culture and Research Journal special issue, coeditors David Shorter and Kim TallBear describe involvement in an Indigenous studies working group formed in conjunction with the Making Contact 2018 workshop hosted by the Berkeley SETI (Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence) Research Center. As a whole, “Settler Science, Alien Contact, and Searches for Intelligence” takes a critical eye to frontiers, space exploration, the history of science, and the colonial politics of surveillance technologies.

Indigenous Studies Working Group Statement

2021 ◽  
Vol 45 (1) ◽  
pp. 9-18
Author(s):  
Sonya Atalay ◽  
William Lempert ◽  
David Delgado Shorter ◽  
Kim TallBear
Keyword(s):  
Working Group ◽  
Indigenous Studies ◽  
Research Center ◽  
Extraterrestrial Life ◽  
Extraterrestrial Intelligence ◽  
Ethical Concerns ◽  
Short Working

In 2018, the authors were invited to share their perspectives as Indigenous studies scholars to the work of Breakthrough Listen, an organization affiliated with both the Berkeley SETI Research Center (BSRC) and the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI). This collectively authored statement highlights some of the ethical concerns these authors perceived regarding the history colonialism and the expectations to find “advanced” or “intelligent” extraterrestrial life. A prologue contextualizes the short working group statement and we then provide the unedited original statement in its entirety.

Making connections: linking issues and struggles across space and time

2020 ◽  
pp. 95-116
Author(s):  
Marjorie Mayo
Keyword(s):  
Methyl Isocyanate ◽  
Environmental Disaster ◽  
Time And Space ◽  
Space And Time ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
Alternative Approaches

Moving forward, this chapter explores ways of sharing learning, as the basis for building solidarity across time and space. The first example comes from India, as workers and communities shared their research on industrial malpractices, leading to the human and environmental disaster, when more than 40 tons of methyl isocyanate gas from a pesticide plant in Bhopal, India. Research findings and experiences were shared across the globe, supporting Indian communities in their struggles for justice and a safer environment. The second example comes from London’s Docklands where communities and local workforces shared their learning over the years, developing the case for alternative approaches to planning, sharing ideas about redevelopment to meet people’s needs rather than to promote private profitability.

scholarly journals DIVISION IV / WORKING GROUP ABUNDANCES IN RED-GIANTS

2008 ◽  
Vol 4 (T27A) ◽  
pp. 240-241
Author(s):  
John C. Lattanzio ◽  
Pavel A. Denissenkov ◽  
Roberto Gallino ◽  
Josef Hron ◽  
Uffe Gråe Jørgensen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Working Group ◽  
Rio De Janeiro ◽  
Globular Clusters ◽  
Star Clusters ◽  
Building Blocks ◽  
Red Giants ◽  
Time And Space ◽  
Main Activity

The main activity of the WG on Abundances in Red Giants has been to propose a JD for the IAU GA in 2009. The increasing evidence for distinct populations within globular clusters is leading to the view that there is a continuum between globular clusters and the smallest of the galaxies. Our JD was designed to investigate this link. However, our JD was incorporated into IAU Symposium No. 266 Star Clusters: Basic Building Blocks throughout Time and Space for the IAU XXVII in Rio de Janeiro, 2009. We will be responsible for organising one session in the Symposium to cover the agenda put forward in our JD proposal.

scholarly journals An Alternative Approach to the Rationalization of the Production Process Using Simulation Methods

2021 ◽  
pp. 3-6
Author(s):  
Darina Dupláková ◽  
Monika Töröková ◽  
Ján Duplák ◽  
Jozef Török
Keyword(s):  
Production Process ◽  
Historical Development ◽  
Current Trend ◽  
Simulation Methods ◽  
Simulation Tools ◽  
Industrial Enterprises ◽  
The Core ◽  
Alternative Approach ◽  
Alternative Approaches

Simulation in a production process represents the realization of processes in time and space. In manufacturing, the current trend is towards the implementation and expansion of various types of systems in many industrial enterprises. This effort is supported by requirements to increase reliability, eliminate production times and costs, as well as meet operational schedules. The presented article is focused on the possibilities of alternative approaches to the rationalization of production processes using simulation methods. The introduction of this article is devoted to the issue of simulations in general with a brief overview of historical development and classification of simulation tools. The second part of the article describes the tools used for comparative rationalization, which forms the core of the presented article. The conclusion summarizes the findings of the study.

2.2. Working Group 2: Conceptual Definitions of Reference Coordinate Systems for Earth Dynamics

1975 ◽  
Vol 26 ◽  
pp. 21-26
Keyword(s):  
Coordinate System ◽  
Working Group ◽  
General Character ◽  
Coordinate Systems ◽  
Reference Coordinate System ◽  
Group 2 ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Earth Dynamics

An ideal definition of a reference coordinate system should meet the following general requirements:1. It should be as conceptually simple as possible, so its philosophy is well understood by the users.2. It should imply as few physical assumptions as possible. Wherever they are necessary, such assumptions should be of a very general character and, in particular, they should not be dependent upon astronomical and geophysical detailed theories.3. It should suggest a materialization that is dynamically stable and is accessible to observations with the required accuracy.

Models of Thermodynamic Properties of Prominences

1979 ◽  
Vol 44 ◽  
pp. 349-355
Author(s):  
R.W. Milkey
Keyword(s):  
Thermodynamic Properties ◽  
Mass Transport ◽  
Emission Spectrum ◽  
Thermodynamic Parameters ◽  
Working Group ◽  
Physical Processes ◽  
Theoretical Concepts ◽  
Group 3 ◽  
Observational Techniques

The focus of discussion in Working Group 3 was on the Thermodynamic Properties as determined spectroscopically, including the observational techniques and the theoretical modeling of physical processes responsible for the emission spectrum. Recent advances in observational techniques and theoretical concepts make this discussion particularly timely. It is wise to remember that the determination of thermodynamic parameters is not an end in itself and that these are interesting chiefly for what they can tell us about the energetics and mass transport in prominences.

Alternative approaches to ultra-high resolution imaging

1991 ◽  
Vol 49 ◽  
pp. 650-651
Author(s):  
J.M. Cowley
Keyword(s):  
High Resolution ◽  
High Voltage ◽  
High Resolution Electron Microscopy ◽  
Crystal Defects ◽  
High Resolution Imaging ◽  
General Applicability ◽  
Resolution Electron ◽  
Radiation Resistant ◽  
Resolution Imaging ◽  
Alternative Approaches

By extrapolation of past experience, it would seem that the future of ultra-high resolution electron microscopy rests with the advances of electron optical engineering that are improving the instrumental stability of high voltage microscopes to achieve the theoretical resolutions of 1Å or better at 1MeV or higher energies. While these high voltage instruments will undoubtedly produce valuable results on chosen specimens, their general applicability has been questioned on the basis of the excessive radiation damage effects which may significantly modify the detailed structures of crystal defects within even the most radiation resistant materials in a period of a few seconds. Other considerations such as those of cost and convenience of use add to the inducement to consider seriously the possibilities for alternative approaches to the achievement of comparable resolutions.

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