Success in the search for extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI) depends on the central requirement that intelligent civilizations communicate using electromagnetic radiation. That's where we're looking for them. The chances for success in finding them then dependent on the power of their signals and the period of time they emit them.
But communication using electromagnetic radiation is limited by the speed of light. Fast in a terrestrial context but agonizingly slow and inefficient in the vastness of this universe. There simply must be better ways. And if there are, intelligence will find them. And it will find them in relatively short order after 'discovering' that electromagnetic radiation can be modulated to contain intelligent signal.
Technological growth is exponential - relatively flat and seemingly linear for vast periods of time and then abruptly exponential, becoming nearly vertical as the curve rounds upwards. We are approaching that abrupt curve upwards as would any intelligence shortly after the development of computers. From radio to computers to artificial intelligence to super intelligence and better ways to communicate in less than 150 years. Electromagnetic radiation as a means then to detect extraterrestrial intelligence? - the briefest of smoke signals atop a very distant hill.
Perhaps our search for extraterrestrial intelligence should begin with the development of our own artificial super-intelligence. Only then may we have the ability to hear what is likely to be a universal cacophony of intelligent signal.
But communication using electromagnetic radiation is limited by the speed of light. Fast in a terrestrial context but agonizingly slow and inefficient in the vastness of this universe. There simply must be better ways. And if there are, intelligence will find them. And it will find them in relatively short order after 'discovering' that electromagnetic radiation can be modulated to contain intelligent signal.
Technological growth is exponential - relatively flat and seemingly linear for vast periods of time and then abruptly exponential, becoming nearly vertical as the curve rounds upwards. We are approaching that abrupt curve upwards as would any intelligence shortly after the development of computers. From radio to computers to artificial intelligence to super intelligence and better ways to communicate in less than 150 years. Electromagnetic radiation as a means then to detect extraterrestrial intelligence? - the briefest of smoke signals atop a very distant hill.
Perhaps our search for extraterrestrial intelligence should begin with the development of our own artificial super-intelligence. Only then may we have the ability to hear what is likely to be a universal cacophony of intelligent signal.
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