SearchLites - Vol 15 No 4

Magazine Overview

Title: SearchLites
Issue: Vol. 15 No. 4, Autumn 2009
Publisher: The SETI League, Inc.
Document Type: Magazine Issue

Main Articles and Content

SETI Discovers Intelligent Life on Earth

This satirical article by Dr. Chuck P. Haul posits that top scientists have announced evidence of intelligent life on Earth, possibly surviving in subterranean cubicles and warm office vents. It humorously references Dr. Tara Princeton Jilter's observation about students at a Northern California high school, and Dr. Dag Vockish's attempts to communicate with them. The article also mentions SETIonLine's efforts to find patterns in the Airline Scheduling Algorithm and Frack Richter's critique of government sponsorship. It notes a gathering of Mensa members in Pittsburgh and quotes Dr. Stock Sethshack's past predictions of such discoveries at various international conferences. Dr. Drake Francis is mentioned as the inventor of modern SETI, lamenting the absence of Oliver Barnie and Morris Philipson to witness this event. The article concludes with an anonymous SETI scientist expressing fears of militarization but hoping for support for further research, humorously suggesting the discovery of intelligent life in Washington.

Cold Fusion, Dark Matter, and SETI (Guest Editorial by Richard Factor)

Richard Factor draws parallels between the elusive nature of cold fusion and SETI's 'Wow signal.' He notes that while reproducible results are the cornerstone of science, some scientists occasionally report positive findings in both fields, which are met with skepticism. Factor suggests that cold fusion might be influenced by unknown, exogenous factors, possibly related to the subatomic environment. He then discusses the mystery of 'dark matter,' stating that science knows virtually nothing about it but is certain of its existence and abundance. Factor proposes a speculative link between cold fusion and dark matter density, suggesting that dark matter might catalyze or inhibit fusion reactions. He advocates for a low-cost, large-scale experiment involving numerous automated setups to test this hypothesis, aiming to simultaneously discover characteristics of dark matter and understand cold fusion. He emphasizes the high risk/reward ratio of such an endeavor.

Film Reviews:

Star Trek (2009) Reviewed by Athena Andreadis

Athena Andreadis reviews the 2009 Star Trek film, referring to it as 'ST||.' She finds it positive, capturing the essence of the original series with brightness and optimism, avoiding snarkiness and angst. However, she notes several issues, including the 'bogus science' of red matter and a leaky black hole horizon. Andreadis criticizes the film's shift towards violence as the primary response to conflict, reflecting a perceived societal trend. She also finds the villain stale, Kirk annoying, and Spock Prime's expositions detrimental to the Kirk-Spock friendship. The destruction of Vulcan is seen as a loss, making the film less nuanced and more akin to a conventional action flick for pre-adolescents. She expresses hope that future installments will avoid generic plots and that the film will not be relegated to the same category as Star Wars.

We Must Love One Another or Die: A Critique of Star Wars by Athena Andreadis

This critique of 'Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith' by Athena Andreadis expresses disappointment with the film's narrative, characters, and underlying philosophy. Andreadis finds the film's plot, script, and characters disjointed, flipping between centuries and mixing action with portentous messages. Her primary criticism centers on the film's portrayal of relationships and gender roles, particularly the Jedi's emphasis on detachment and the suppression of emotion. She argues that the film promotes a vision of a cold, airless universe devoid of families, civic life, and genuine intimacy, where hierarchical interactions are valued over partnerships of equals. The Jedi recruitment methods are compared to historical oppressive regimes. Andreadis contends that Anakin's fall is not due to loving too much, but to a lack of trust in his partner and misplaced loyalty to his masters. She contrasts this with more nuanced portrayals of gender and relationships found in works by Andre Norton, Yi-mou Zhang, Ang Lee, and J.R.R. Tolkien, advocating for subversive tales that celebrate complexity and holistic affiliations.

Columns and Departments

Ask Dr. SETI

Radiation Hardened Interstellar Probes: In response to a question from a SARA member, Dr. SETI confirms that the development of Radiation Hardened parts with a long MTBF (163,000 years) supports the possibility of interstellar missions, citing rocket scientist Mark Millis as an advocate for such endeavors. The column also poses the question of whether advanced civilizations might already be sending probes, referencing the 'Invitation to ETI' initiative.

No Intelligent Life in This Part of the Galaxy: In response to a question from Jim, an amateur radio astronomer, Dr. SETI acknowledges that after 50 years of SETI science, no convincing evidence of extraterrestrial intelligence has been found in their surveyed region. However, Dr. SETI emphasizes that this is a mere 'eyeblink' in cosmic time, only a fraction of the electromagnetic spectrum has been covered, and technology is continually improving. The column concludes that it is too soon to draw definitive conclusions about humanity's uniqueness in the cosmos.

Event Horizon

This section lists upcoming conferences and meetings related to SETI and astronomy, including the Fifth International Radio Astronomy Congress, various SETI League events, and international astronautical congresses, spanning from September 2009 to October 2011.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue consistently explores the search for extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI) and related scientific concepts like cold fusion and dark matter. There is a strong undercurrent of critical analysis, particularly in the film reviews, which dissect popular culture narratives for their underlying messages about gender, power, and societal values. The editorial stance appears to favor open scientific inquiry, even into speculative areas, and encourages critical thinking about media representations. The magazine also serves as a platform for promoting The SETI League's activities and membership.