scholarly journals Conceptualizing Difference in SETI: Xenoanthropological Theory and Methods

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael P. Oman-Reagan
Keyword(s):  
White Paper ◽  
Extraterrestrial Intelligence ◽  
Multispecies Ethnography ◽  
Anthropological Theory ◽  
Intelligent Life

Anthropological theory and methods offer new ways to help us “step out of our brains” and overcome the tendency to search “for other versions of ourselves” in the search for extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI). This white paper proposes SETI researchers draw on anthropological theory, ontology, and multispecies ethnography to imagine “how intelligent life interacts with its environment and communicates information” (Cabrol, Alien Mindscapes, 2016). Please cite as: Oman-Reagan, Michael P. 2018. “Conceptualizing Difference in SETI: Xenoanthropological Theory and Methods.” Paper presented for "Decoding Alien Intelligence,” SETI Institute, Mountain View, CA. 15 March.

scholarly journals Radical First Contact: Bridging Astrobiology and SETI

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael P. Oman-Reagan
Keyword(s):  
No Value ◽  
Theory And Practice ◽  
Extraterrestrial Intelligence ◽  
Multispecies Ethnography ◽  
Anthropological Theory ◽  
Decolonizing Methodologies ◽  
Key Aspects ◽  
Life On Earth ◽  
First Contact ◽  
The Universe

Abstract for SOCIA 2018: Accepted October 2017The astrobiological search for life in the universe is rarely discussed in terms of communicative first contact, a concept often reserved for the search for extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI). What are the implications for astrobiology of inheriting historical conclusions that there is no value in attempting communication with seemingly non-intelligent life on Earth? By imagining a radical first contact protocol, to bridge work in astrobiology and SETI, this paper challenges the assumption that certain forms of life elsewhere (those we might categorize as like microbial, plant, insect, computer, geologic, or other non-human forms and systems) can be eliminated in advance from attempts at communicative or cultural first contact. A radical first contact protocol asks that we push the limits of both our astrobiological and anthropological imaginations beyond the traditional scope of anthropological subjects and functional SETI-focused definitions of intelligence. By drawing on anthropological theory, ontological anthropology, multispecies ethnography, decolonizing methodologies, speculative fiction, as well as from fieldwork with astrobiologists and SETI scientists (Wright and Oman-Reagan 2017), this paper proposes how and why a radical first contact protocol might approach any potential life, broadly defined, as though it is also a potential intelligence, culture, or agent inviting communicative contact and moral consideration. By drawing on expansions of contemporary anthropology along with other theory and practice this project also aims to help scientists “step out of our brains” (Cabrol 2016) to build methods and insights which successfully bridge key aspects of first contact and the search for life in astrobiology and SETI.Keywords: first contact, ontology, multispecies ethnography, decolonizing, astrobiology, SETI, anthropology

scholarly journals A Statistical Estimation of the Occurrence of Extraterrestrial Intelligence in the Milky Way Galaxy

Galaxies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 5
Author(s):  
Xiang Cai ◽  
Jonathan H. Jiang ◽  
Kristen A. Fahy ◽  
Yuk L. Yung
Keyword(s):  
Statistical Estimation ◽  
Milky Way ◽  
Galactic Center ◽  
Model Simulation ◽  
Temporal Variations ◽  
Extraterrestrial Intelligence ◽  
Milky Way Galaxy ◽  
The Galaxy ◽  
Peak Location ◽  
Intelligent Life

In the field of astrobiology, the precise location, prevalence, and age of potential extraterrestrial intelligence (ETI) have not been explicitly explored. Here, we address these inquiries using an empirical galactic simulation model to analyze the spatial–temporal variations and the prevalence of potential ETI within the Galaxy. This model estimates the occurrence of ETI, providing guidance on where to look for intelligent life in the Search for ETI (SETI) with a set of criteria, including well-established astrophysical properties of the Milky Way. Further, typically overlooked factors such as the process of abiogenesis, different evolutionary timescales, and potential self-annihilation are incorporated to explore the growth propensity of ETI. We examine three major parameters: (1) the likelihood rate of abiogenesis (λA); (2) evolutionary timescales (Tevo); and (3) probability of self-annihilation of complex life (Pann). We found Pann to be the most influential parameter determining the quantity and age of galactic intelligent life. Our model simulation also identified a peak location for ETI at an annular region approximately 4 kpc from the galactic center around 8 billion years (Gyrs), with complex life decreasing temporally and spatially from the peak point, asserting a high likelihood of intelligent life in the galactic inner disk. The simulated age distributions also suggest that most of the intelligent life in our galaxy are young, thus making observation or detection difficult.

Multisensory Anthropology

2019 ◽  
Vol 48 (1) ◽  
pp. 17-28 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Howes
Keyword(s):  
Material Culture ◽  
Review Article ◽  
Theory And Practice ◽  
Not Given ◽  
Culture Studies ◽  
Multispecies Ethnography ◽  
Sensory Ethnography ◽  
Anthropological Theory ◽  
Making Sense ◽  
The Senses

The senses are made, not given. Multisensory anthropology focuses on the variable boundaries, differential elaboration, and many different ways of combining the senses across (and within) cultures. Its methodology is grounded in “participant sensation,” or sensing—and making sense—along with others, also known as sensory ethnography. This review article traces the sensualization of anthropological theory and practice since the early 1990s, showing how the concept of sensory mediation has steadily supplanted the prior concern with representation. It concludes with a discussion of how the senses are engaged in filmmaking, multispecies ethnography, and material culture studies as well as in achieving social justice.

Universal Cognitive Maps and the Search for Intelligent Life in the Universe

Leonardo ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 42 (5) ◽  
pp. 396-402 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guillermo A. Lemarchand ◽  
Jon Lomberg
Keyword(s):  
Research Program ◽  
Cognitive Maps ◽  
Extraterrestrial Intelligence ◽  
Physical Laws ◽  
The Universe ◽  
Intelligent Life

For almost 50 years the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI) research program was pursued under the hypothesis of the universality of the physical laws in the cosmos. The authors call attention to some epistemological issues that make it necessary to seek other aesthetic, spiritual and ethical “cognitive universals.” They propose the participation of a broader community of scholars from natural, social, artistic and humanistic disciplines to explore all the possible “universal cognitive maps” that eventually might favor the detection of extraterrestrial intelligent life.

scholarly journals A failure of serendipity: the Square Kilometre Array will struggle to eavesdrop on human-like extraterrestrial intelligence

2010 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 77-81 ◽  
Author(s):  
D.H. Forgan ◽  
R.C. Nichol
Keyword(s):  
Monte Carlo ◽  
Communications Technology ◽  
Human Race ◽  
Extraterrestrial Intelligence ◽  
Square Kilometre Array ◽  
Communication Techniques ◽  
The Earth ◽  
Communication Time ◽  
The Galaxy ◽  
Intelligent Life

AbstractThe Square Kilometre Array (SKA) will operate in frequency ranges often used by military radar and other communications technology. It has been shown that if extraterrestrial intelligences (ETIs) communicate using similar technology, then the SKA should be able to detect such transmissions up to distances of ~100 pc (~300 light years) from Earth. However, Mankind has greatly improved its communications technology over the last century, dramatically reducing signal leakage and making the Earth ‘radio quiet’. If ETIs follow the same pattern as the human race, will we be able to detect their signal leakage before they become radio quiet? We investigate this question using Monte Carlo realization techniques to simulate the growth and evolution of intelligent life in the Galaxy. We show that if civilizations are ‘human’ in nature (i.e. they are only ‘radio loud’ for ~100 years, and can only detect each other with an SKA-like instrument out to 100 pc, within a maximum communication time of 100 years), then the probability for such civilizations accidentally detecting each other is low (~10−7), much lower than if other, dedicated communication techniques are permissible (e.g. optical SETI or neutrino communication).

scholarly journals Biosemiotic knowledge — a prerequisite for valid explorations of extraterrestrial intelligent life

2002 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 283-292
Author(s):  
Elling Ulvestad
Keyword(s):  
Subject Matter ◽  
Extraterrestrial Intelligence ◽  
Valid Data ◽  
Funded Project ◽  
Methodological Problems ◽  
Intelligent Life

The scientific search for extraterrestrial intelligent life is probably one of the most ambitious projects ever taken in biology. The article discusses methodological problems associated with the search. It is emphasized that investigators of extraterrestrial intelligence, in contrast to investigators of terrestrial matters, have no valid pre-understanding of their subject matter. In this barren setting, utilization of semiotic knowledge is shown to be a prerequisite for achievement of valid data. Owing to methodological shortcomings, it is concluded that the NASA funded project SETI (Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence) has little if any relevance for the detection of intelligent life in other worlds.

Politics and Ideology: Lord Moyne, Palestine and Zionism 1939–1944

2017 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 155-169
Author(s):  
Ronen Yitzhak
Keyword(s):  
Prime Minister ◽  
White Paper ◽  
Second World War ◽  
Political Orientation ◽  
Jewish State ◽  
World War ◽  
Pragmatic Approach ◽  
Jewish Immigration ◽  
Set Up ◽  
Second World

This article deals with Lord Moyne's policy towards the Zionists. It refutes the claim that Lord Moyne was anti-Zionist in his political orientation and in his activities and shows that his positions did not differ from those of other British senior officials at the time. His attitude toward Jewish immigration to Palestine and toward the establishment of a Jewish Brigade during the Second World War was indeed negative. This was not due to anti-Zionist policy, however, but to British strategy that supported the White Paper of 1939 and moved closer to the Arabs during the War. While serving in the British Cabinet, Lord Moyne displayed apolitically pragmatic approach and remained loyal to Prime Minister Churchill. He therefore supported the establishment of a Jewish Brigade and the establishment of a Jewish state in Palestine in the secret committee that Churchill set up in 1944. Unaware of his new positions, the Zionists assassinated him in November 1944. The murder of Lord Moyne affected Churchill, leading him to reject the establishment of a Jewish state in Palestine.

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