Macroengineering in the Galactic Context: A New Agenda for Astrobiology

In this morning's astro-ph:

astro-ph/0606102
Title: Macroengineering in the Galactic Context: A New Agenda for Astrobiology
Authors: Milan M. Cirkovic
Comments: Contribution to "Macro-Engineering: A Challenge for the Future"
ed. by Viorel Badescu, Richard B. Cathcart, and Roelof
D. Schuiling, in press

We consider the problem of detectability of macro-engineering projects
over interstellar distances, in the context of Search for
ExtraTerrestrial Intelligence (SETI). Freeman J. Dyson and his
imaginative precursors, like Konstantin Tsiolkovsky, Olaf Stapledon or
John B. S. Haldane, suggested macro-engineering projects as focal
points in the context of extrapolations about the future of humanity
and, by analogy, other intelligent species in the Milky Way. We
emphasize that the search for signposts of extraterrestrial
macro-engineering projects is not an optional pursuit within the
family of ongoing and planned SETI projects; inter alia, the failure
of the orthodox SETI thus far clearly indicates this. Instead, this
approach (for which we suggest a name of "Dysonian") should be the
front-line and mainstay of any cogent SETI strategy in future, being
significantly more promising than searches for directed, intentional
radio or microwave emissions. This is in accord with our improved
astrophysical understanding of the structure and evolution of the
Galactic Habitable Zone, as well as with the recent wake-up call of
Steven J. Dick to investigate consequences of postbiological evolution
for astrobiology in general and SETI programs in particular. The
benefits this multidisciplinary approach may bear for macro-engineers
are also briefly highlighted.

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Here is a copy of the full article :

http://www.arxiv.org/ftp/astro-ph/pa...06/0606102.pdf

Interesting read on Cikovic assessment of the effectiveness of SETI in
communication signals of an 'alive' ETI (now called 'orthodox' ?)
versus left-over artifacts like search for old probes or macro engineering
projects from a (dead) ETI (Dysonian SETI)

I think that his conclusions that Dysonian SETI is "far more promising" than
"orthodox" SETI can quite easily be disputed. Neither of the methods
found any signs of ETIs, lifetime of Dysonian projects after ETI 'died' is heavily
speculatable, as well as unknown average lifetime of intelligent life in the Universe.
So in my opinion there is very little evidence that one method is 'better' or more 'promising' than the other.
Makes sense to do both.

So why does he have the aversion against looking for live signals ?
Does he have a political agenda ?

Rob

"Joseph Lazio" wrote in message ...
In this morning's astro-ph:

astro-ph/0606102
Title: Macroengineering in the Galactic Context: A New Agenda for Astrobiology
Authors: Milan M. Cirkovic
Comments: Contribution to "Macro-Engineering: A Challenge for the Future"
ed. by Viorel Badescu, Richard B. Cathcart, and Roelof
D. Schuiling, in press

We consider the problem of detectability of macro-engineering projects
over interstellar distances, in the context of Search for
ExtraTerrestrial Intelligence (SETI). Freeman J. Dyson and his
imaginative precursors, like Konstantin Tsiolkovsky, Olaf Stapledon or
John B. S. Haldane, suggested macro-engineering projects as focal
points in the context of extrapolations about the future of humanity
and, by analogy, other intelligent species in the Milky Way. We
emphasize that the search for signposts of extraterrestrial
macro-engineering projects is not an optional pursuit within the
family of ongoing and planned SETI projects; inter alia, the failure
of the orthodox SETI thus far clearly indicates this. Instead, this
approach (for which we suggest a name of "Dysonian") should be the
front-line and mainstay of any cogent SETI strategy in future, being
significantly more promising than searches for directed, intentional
radio or microwave emissions. This is in accord with our improved
astrophysical understanding of the structure and evolution of the
Galactic Habitable Zone, as well as with the recent wake-up call of
Steven J. Dick to investigate consequences of postbiological evolution
for astrobiology in general and SETI programs in particular. The
benefits this multidisciplinary approach may bear for macro-engineers
are also briefly highlighted.

--
Lt. Lazio, HTML police | e-mail:
No means no, stop rape. | http://patriot.net/%7Ejlazio/
sci.astro FAQ at http://sciastro.astronomy.net/sci.astro.html