Canon EOS 5D Mark II
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A brainstorming lunch with SETI Institute’s Jill Tarter. My former work colleague Rob Reid is leading a discussion on how SETI can further its mission.

We had just heard her acceptance speech of a TED Prize (the video just went online).

“I wish that you would empower Earthlings everywhere to become active participants in the ultimate search for cosmic company.”

Are we alone?

“Well, if we are, it’s an awful waste of space.”

“Perspective is a powerful thing… From my perspective, we live on a fragile island of life in a universe of possibilities.”

SETI: the archaeology of the future

“All of the concerted SETI efforts over the last 40-some years are equivalent to scooping a single glass of water from the oceans, and no one would decide that the ocean was without fish on the basis of one glass of water. 21st century technology allows us now to build bigger glasses, much bigger glasses.”

Or if you prefer a story of hope and the human spirit, see the TED Prize broadcast from Venezuela, where the Teresa Carreño Youth Orchestra energetically perform with conductor Gustavo Dudamel, all graduates of Jose Abreu’s El Sistema.

4 responses to “SETI @ Lunch”

  1. Notice how she present the pictures on her talk about the search for Alien…..very Gigiselatesque….hum humm the Truth is out there ! O=)

  2. once probed, twice shy

    the silent wink of one eye

    |-)

  3. Funny indeed to see how the woman present the pictures as slices. I would have not made the eye connection with my own sliced way myself, yet you might be into something! You humans, such great pattern finders.

    Winky winks of the one silent eye… |-)

    There’s also this talk of Freeman to see right after Jill’s.
    http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/freeman_dyson_says_let_s_look...
    Very interesting its way of seeing things. As always.

  4. And just came across this news tonight :

    BBC-Alien life ‘may exist among us’

    First time I heard about it, was during E.O. Wilson: TED Prize wish: Help build the Encyclopedia of Life . And I love the idea. Since then, the exploration of the ocean seems more and more important to my eyes, as a connection with Space Exploration.

    Freeman ‘ s talk is great too yes !
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    AnD to EnD on another Brainfood. I discovered through the BBC article the : BEYOND Center for Fundamental Concepts in Science. Great link !

    On the April 3-6, 2009 Origins Symposium at ASU (Arizona State University)

    The Origins Symposium will inaugurate the new Origins Initiative at ASU, which will be a University-wide transdisciplinary endeavor supporting research building on key areas of strength at ASU including: the origin of the universe, origins of stars and planet, the origins of life, human origins, origins of consciousness and culture. It will focus on specific topics and different times, and also build transdisciplinary bridges. A key component of Origins will also involve public outreach and education, as well as exploring new paradigms for undergraduate education.

    We will assemble in one place a group containing the most well known scientific public intellectuals in the world. Speakers will include:

    * Stephen Hawking
    * Steven Pinker
    * Richard Dawkins
    * Craig Venter
    * Lawrence Krauss
    * Brian Greene
    * Donald C. Johanson

    And a Nobel Panel, including :

    Steven Weinberg
    Frank Wilczek
    Walter Gilbert
    Baruch Blumberg

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