Sorry Stephen Hawking, I agree with Jill Tarter. Hostile alien invaders are unlikely–at least not the kind envisioned in SciFi movies.<\/p>\n
I received the news release reproduced below and it reminded me of a book manuscript that I now have under consideration at a major publisher of books for young readers. That manuscript looks ahead to humanity’s long term future in space.<\/p>\n
Speculating that we may be able to reach nearby stars several thousand years from now, I envision an interstellar Noah’s Ark that can carry an Earthlike ecology to another solar system. I ask what kind of a planet or moon would we be looking for. My answer is that we would seek a world where early single-celled plant life has recently created an oxygen rich atmosphere, which would mean that early one-celled animals may also be evolving there.<\/p>\n
We would study that world for habitats that might support various Earth organisms and deliver those organisms where they would either share the habitats with native organisms or take over if those natives are suitable for food. We would indeed be potentially hostile invaders for such primitive creatures.<\/p>\n
But what if we discovered a world with advanced animal life? We would be foolish to try to invade such a world, since the creatures there would have evolved to be very well-suited to the environment, whereas we would not be. In a competition with such life forms, we would almost surely be the losers–as are the aliens in almost every movie that has been produced. In any War of the Worlds between advanced life forms, I would place my bets on the natives.<\/p>\n
And so would any future civilization looking for a new planetary home. That is why I don’t expect hostile invaders from a nearby star and why I am not worried about losing to them even if they are so foolish–or desperate–to be targeting our world.<\/p>\n
Now the news release:<\/p>\n
24 May 2012<\/p>\n
** Contacts are listed below. **<\/p>\n
SETI INSTITUTE\u2019S JILL TARTER TAKES ISSUE WITH
\nSTEPHEN HAWKING, \u2018MIB3,\u2019 \u2018PROMETHEUS,\u2019 AND \u2018BATTLESHIP\u2019<\/p>\n
The creative minds who fill movies and TV shows with angry aliens will soon be defending their vision of these extraterrestrial antagonists at SETIcon, a public event sponsored by the SETI Institute. The Institute is known for its science-based search for radio signals that would betray the existence of intelligent beings on distant worlds. SETIcon will take place June 22 through 24 in the heart of the Silicon Valley, and will feature a celebrity banquet honoring Jill Tarter who, for the last 35 years, has led the search for extraterrestrial intelligence at the SETI Institute. Tickets are available now at http:\/\/seticon.com\/<\/p>\n
Aliens are exceptionally well represented at the local multiplex this spring. Hostile invaders, tipped off by an overly enthusiastic broadcast from Earth, try to sink a lot of naval hardware in \u201cBattleship;\u201d domestic extraterrestrials give headaches to urbane government agents in \u201cMen in Black III;\u201d and fans of the \u201cAlien\u201d films finally get the back story of Ridley Scott\u2019s toothy terror in the famous director\u2019s prequel, \u201cPrometheus.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOften the aliens of science fiction say more about us than they do about themselves,\u201d said Jill Tarter, who announced on May 22nd that she was stepping down as Director of the Center for SETI Research. \u201cWhile Sir Stephen Hawking warned that alien life might try to conquer or colonize Earth, I respectfully disagree. If aliens were able to visit Earth that would mean they would have technological capabilities sophisticated enough not to need slaves, food, or other planets. If aliens were to come here it would be simply to explore. Considering the age of the universe, we probably wouldn\u2019t be their first extraterrestrial encounter, either. We should look at movies like \u2018Men in Black III,\u2019 \u2018Prometheus\u2019 and \u2018Battleship\u2019 as great entertainment and metaphors for our own fears, but we should not consider them harbingers of alien visitation.\u201d<\/p>\n
At SETIcon, many of the topics raised by film and TV sci-fi will be explored and explained, including how scientists have injected more realism into such series as \u201cStar Trek: The Next Generation,\u201d and \u201cBattlestar Galactica.\u201d<\/p>\n
SETIcon panelists include researchers from the SETI Institute and elsewhere, together with guests from the world of sci-fi, including well-known writer Robert J. Sawyer, \u201cStar Trek: Voyager\u201d actor Robert Picardo, and astronaut Mae Jamison. Mary Roach, author of \u201cPacking for Mars,\u201d will also be in attendance.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe science fiction genre has been enormously popular for decades, and the cutting-edge of research in astronomy and exobiology is a gold mine for Hollywood screenwriters,\u201d says writer\/producer Andre Bormanis, a science advisor for \u201cStar Trek\u201d and a panelist at SETIcon.<\/p>\n
Other SETIcon panels will consider whether Hollywood aliens make biological sense, discuss the continuing search for planets beyond our own solar system, debate whether humans or robots make the best space explorers, and explain how NASA tries to protect our planet (and other worlds) from accidental infection.<\/p>\n
The value of connecting sci-fi creators with practicing scientists has been recognized by the National Academy of Sciences. The Academy operates an office in Southern California — the Science and Entertainment Exchange — that puts researchers in touch with Hollywood writers and directors during the early stages of screenplay development. SETI Institute astronomer Seth Shostak has been a consultant on \u201cBattleship,\u201d \u201cGreen Hornet,\u201d and \u201cThe Day the Earth Stood Still,\u201d as well as other films.<\/p>\n
\u201cFrequently, the creative folks simply want your help in solving a script problem — for example, what sort of weaponry might an alien society commandeer,\u201d says Shostak. \u201cOn other occasions, they just want some technical corrections to dialog. But the really interesting challenge is to introduce these people to some of the newer ideas in science — ideas that aren\u2019t yet hackneyed.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOurs is the one conference where the public can rub elbows with the innovators and leaders in the quest to find life in the universe,\u201d said Andrew Fraknoi, SETI Institute Trustee and Foothill College Astronomy Professor. \u201cIt\u2019s where ideas that sounded like science fiction just a few years ago become part of today\u2019s reality.\u201d<\/p>\n
SETIcon will take place June 22 through 24 at the Santa Clara Hyatt Hotel, and will feature a celebrity banquet honoring Jill Tarter. Tickets are available now at http:\/\/seticon.com\/<\/p>\n
Accredited journalists wanting to attend SETIcon can sign up for complimentary press registration with Curtis Sparrer at curtis.sparrer@graylingcp.com<\/p>\n
Contacts:
\nDan Jackson
\nGrayling Connecting Point
\ndan.jackson@graylingcp.com
\n+1 415-442-4032, cell: +1 415-215-2661<\/p>\n
Karen Randall
\nSETI Institute
\nkrandall@seti.org
\n+1 650-960-4537, +1 650-961-6633<\/p>\n
The mission of the SETI Institute (http:\/\/www.seti.org) is to explore, understand and explain the origin, nature and prevalence of life in the universe. The SETI Institute is a private, nonprofit organization dedicated to scientific research, education and public outreach. The Institute comprises three centers, the Center for SETI Research, the Carl Sagan Center for the Study of Life in the universe and the Center for Education and Public Outreach founded in November 1984, the SETI Institute began operations on February 1, 1985. Today it employs over 150 scientists, educators and support staff.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"