What If We're Not Alone?
- Print
- 8/3/2009 |
- 10:00 am
Yes, that's me in the picture, visiting the famous Keck telescopes on top of Mauna Kea in Hawaii. It's breathtaking up there, with more than a dozen observatories peering into the depths of space. While you're there you can't help but wonder 'what if?' And that's exactly what this month's exercise is about...
The Keck instruments are optical telescopes, meaning they pull in images in visible light. But there are many telescopes around the world that scan the sky while searching for other wavelengths. That includes radio astronomy.
Suppose - just suppose - that the day finally arrived where we picked up a message from an intelligent race out there? What do you think the reaction would be? With all of the issues our world faces today, where do you think this would rank in the life of an average person? What would it do in regards to people with strong spiritual beliefs? And, most importantly, how would it affect you?
Your exercise this month is to write a magazine article that takes one particular angle of this historic discovery and captures the impact on that one segment. It doesn't have to be long, maybe a page or two, but should explain a little bit about the discovery itself, and then detail the effect.
Obviously, as with all Big Brain Club exercises, your imagination should be unleashed. You're free to describe the other civilization's message however you like, but remember that our focus is on the impact here on Earth. Give it some thought and then cut loose.
I recommend that you share your article with others. And, of course, don't forget to bookmark this site so you can come back often to find other tips and exercises, along with other Extra Extra stuff!
