Magazine Summary
New Scientist
Ever wanted to host your own late-night paranormal radio show?
Across the Airwaves
You’re on the air. Callers bring Mothman, Fresno Nightcrawlers, UFO sightings, reptilian autopsies, and whispers about AATIP and Project Blue Book. Every reply shapes how the night goes.
Summary
Jeffrey Bennett's book 'Beyond UFOs' reviews the search for alien life, noting the rapid increase in known extrasolar planets. Bennett argues that understanding our place in the vast universe can foster world peace by diminishing terrestrial conflicts. The book is praised for its clear explanations and striking illustrations of astronomical concepts. It also touches upon the potential conflict between scientific discovery and religious beliefs.
Magazine Overview
Title: New Scientist
Issue: 2647
Volume: 197
Date: 29 March 2008
Publisher: New Scientist
Country: UK
Language: English
Price: £15.95/$26.95
Cover Headline: OH MY GOD, WHAT IF WE FIND ALIENS?
Review: Beyond UFOs by Jeffrey Bennett
This issue features a review by Michael Brooks of Jeffrey Bennett's book "Beyond UFOs," published by Princeton University Press. The book is described as a comprehensive account of the search for alien life and its implications for humanity's place in the universe. Brooks notes that Bennett, an astronomer who has worked on the textbook "Life in the Universe," has written "Beyond UFOs" to bring the public up to date on recent discoveries in cosmology.
Bennett's book highlights the vastness of the cosmos, suggesting that with as many stars as grains of sand on Earth's beaches, it is almost inconceivable that life is unique to our planet. The book covers the likely locations of alien life and the potential consequences of finding it. A central theme is Bennett's belief that a greater perspective on our cosmic place can lead to world peace, diminishing terrestrial conflicts based on geography, ethnicity, or religion.
Brooks finds Bennett's enthusiasm for science's power to foster peace admirable but occasionally "wearing." He contrasts Bennett's optimism with the more cautious views of Carl Sagan, who worried about the potential for increased pseudoscience and superstition when humanity confronts its diminished cosmic significance. However, Bennett is presented as more sympathetic to religion than Sagan, stating that "If a scientist tries to tell you that there's no room for God in our present understanding of life and evolution, he's just plain wrong."
The review acknowledges that discovering extraterrestrial life could challenge central tenets of many sacred texts and lead to significant cultural clashes. However, it reiterates Sagan's point that "our preferences do not determine what's true."
Despite these philosophical considerations, Brooks praises "Beyond UFOs" for its clarity, engaging analogies, startling imagery, and "mind-blowing illustrations." The book is recommended as an excellent primer for understanding the universe and humanity's place within it. The review specifically mentions a diagram illustrating Earth's scale within a supercluster of galaxies as a particularly impactful visual aid.
The review concludes by noting that Michael Brooks's own novel, "Entanglement," is published by Random House Australia.
Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance
The magazine consistently explores scientific advancements and their broader implications. This issue, through the review of "Beyond UFOs," delves into themes of extraterrestrial life, the vastness of the universe, the potential for scientific discovery to influence human behavior and promote peace, and the ongoing dialogue between science and religion. The editorial stance appears to be one that values rigorous scientific inquiry while also considering its philosophical and societal impacts.
If a scientist tries to tell you that there's no room for God in our present understanding of life and evolution, he's just plain wrong.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main topic of Jeffrey Bennett's book 'Beyond UFOs'?
The book explores the search for alien life and its implications for humanity's place in the universe, suggesting that cosmic perspective can lead to world peace.
How many extrasolar planets were known when the first edition of 'Life in the Universe' was published?
The first edition of 'Life in the Universe', published in 1998, described the 13 known extrasolar planets.
What is Bennett's view on the relationship between science and religion?
Bennett believes that science and religion do not pose threats to one another and that there is room for God within our understanding of life and evolution.
What is the significance of the Yellowstone hot spring image on the cover?
The image serves as a visual metaphor, suggesting that if life can survive in extreme environments like Yellowstone, it might exist elsewhere in the universe.
In This Issue
People Mentioned
- Jeffrey Bennettastronomer
- George Gamowphysicist
- Carl Saganastronomer
- Michael Brooksauthor
Organisations
- Princeton University Press
- National Park Service
Locations
- Yellowstone, USA
- Earth, Global