The Contact Paradox: Challenging our Assumptions in the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence

by Keith Cooper Narrated by Matthew Waterson

Overview

In 1974 a message was beamed towards the stars by the giant Arecibo telescope in Puerto Rico, a brief blast of radio waves designed to alert extraterrestrial civilizations to our existence. Of course, we don't know if such civilizations really exist. But for the past six decades a small cadre of researchers have been on a quest to find out, as part of SETI, the search for extraterrestrial intelligence.



However, the act of transmitting raises troubling questions about the process of contact. We look for qualities such as altruism and intelligence in extraterrestrial life, but what do these mean to humankind? Can we learn something about our own history when we explore what happens when two civilizations come into contact? Finally, do the answers tell us that it is safe to transmit, even though we know nothing about extraterrestrial life, or as Stephen Hawking argued, are we placing humanity in jeopardy by doing so?



In The Contact Paradox, author Keith Cooper looks at how far SETI has come since its modest beginnings, and where it is going, by speaking to the leading names in the field and beyond. SETI forces us to confront our nature in a way that we seldom have before-where did we come from, where are we going, and who are we in the cosmic context of things?

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

With concise and approachable writing, Cooper crafts a worthwhile popular science work about questions that, as scientists continually improve the human capacity for gathering information about the rest of the universe, are becoming increasingly important.” —Publishers Weekly, starred review

“'Are we alone in the universe?' has no answer yet, but Cooper delivers an enlightening exploration of the question.” —Kirkus Reviews

“Cooper delivers an exciting, provocative tome to which science buffs will flock.” —Booklist

“Earth has been broadcasting electromagnetic signals for a century and sending out mechanical probes – five of which have now left the solar system – for well over half a century. And despite countless science fiction cautionary tales, humans are still reflexively eager to meet sentient alien life. Those enthusiasts should read 'The Contact Paradox' before laying out the welcome mat.” —Christian Science Monitor

Kirkus Reviews

2019-10-08
An overview of the search for intelligence on distant planets.

In his first book, Cooper, science writer and editor of Astronomy Now, emphasizes that the universe teems with extrasolar planets, but evidence of life remains out of reach, to the frustration of almost everyone, including scientists working at the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence Institute, which has been looking for more than 50 years. The sci-fi trope of the evil alien has largely fallen out of fashion. From the hit movie ET to Congress, which killed SETI funding in 1993, almost everyone today agrees that intelligence on distant planets is worth searching for. Traveling the world, Cooper chronicles his interviews with scientists and scholars who discuss how to do it and what we might find, if anything. Throughout, the author is free with his own opinions, and there is no shortage of surprises, the first of which is the chapter on altruism. Why should extraterrestrial visitors have benign intentions? "Our present beliefs about alien civilizations are built on the basis of taking the best parts of our humanity and extrapolating them into the future," writes Cooper. "It's an easy trap to fall into." He reminds readers of the disastrous history of human explorers who encountered strange cultures. Do smart aliens even exist? Experts can't decide if—like an elephant's trunk or giraffe's neck—intelligence is a chance byproduct of evolution or a regular feature such as eyes, limbs, or wings. Cooper recounts the debate between "rare Earth" experts who believe we may be unique with those who disagree, but it remains an area of pure (and frustrating) speculation. Discussions on technical aspects of searching contain more satisfying answers. Provided distant aliens possess transmitters an order of magnitude more powerful than ours, today's receivers can detect the signal. Sending an actual message—as opposed to a mere signal—requires vastly more power.

"Are we alone in the universe?" has no answer yet, but Cooper delivers an enlightening exploration of the question.

Product Details

BN ID:	2940173363022
Publisher:	Tantor Audio
Publication date:	01/31/2020
Edition description:	Unabridged

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