SearchLites - Vol 22 No 2

Magazine Overview

Title: SearchLites
Issue: Vol. 22 No. 2
Date: Spring 2016
Publisher: The SETI League, Inc.
Type: Quarterly Newsletter

Articles and Content

One With Everything by Dan Duda

This article, reprinted from the December 2015 issue of Penn Central, explores the intersection of scientific pronouncements, particularly in quantum physics, with philosophical concepts. The author, Dan Duda, discusses how scientists like Einstein, Planck, Bohr, and others, while acknowledging the reality of the external world, believed science was only infallible within limited ranges. Duda highlights Einstein's discomfort with quantum entanglement, which suggested 'spooky actions at a distance' and implied that time and space might not exist as we perceive them. The EPR Paradox is explained as a thought experiment that proved quantum mechanics' accuracy, even if it violated Einstein's speed limit.

The article touches upon the work of Alain Aspect and Anton Zealander, suggesting that quantum mechanics might exclude the possibility of a mind-independent reality, meaning our perceived reality could be a figment of our imagination. Duda then draws parallels to Zen philosophy, quoting Yasutani Roshi: "The fundamental delusion of humanity is to suppose that I am here and you are out there." The author initially viewed these ideas as 'ludicrous bloviations' but came to see how particle physics and mathematics were converging with them. He concludes by stating that we likely know very little and that our senses might be deceiving us.

In Memoriam: Remembering Sam Lightfoot

This section announces the death of Robert "Sam" Lightfoot on February 19, 2016, after a prolonged illness. Sam Lightfoot, 60, was an anthropologist, criminologist, and associate professor at South Georgia State College. He held a Ph.D. in Criminal Justice from Florida State University. His research focused on solar and extra-solar exploration and the social consequences of preparing for Contact. As an archaeologist, his work centered on European contact with native cultures, noting the high casualty rates during early Spanish colonization attempts in the Americas. He emphasized the need for thorough preparation for potential future endeavors, such as colonizing Mars, Jupiter, or Saturn.

Lightfoot was active in science popularization, participating in Chattanooga's LibertyCon science fiction convention. He also contributed to archaeological digs, spoke several foreign languages, and practiced martial arts, including Judo, Jujitsu, and European swordfighting. He is remembered for his collaboration with SETI League members in the Tennessee Valley Interstellar Workshops and was scheduled to participate in the fourth workshop just a week after his death. A photograph shows him with fellow SETI enthusiasts Robert Kennedy and H. Paul Shuch at a workshop in November 2014. Lightfoot co-authored an article titled "Communication, SETI, and Strategies" with Shuch, Kennedy, and Eric Hughes.

Event Horizon

• This section lists upcoming conferences and meetings relevant to SETI. These include:
• Tennessee Valley Interstellar Workshop (February 28 - March 2, 2016, Chattanooga, TN)
• SARA Western Conference (March 11 - 13, 2016, Prescott, AZ)
• Sixteenth annual SETI League Ham Radio QSO Party (April 16, 2016)
• Twenty Second SETI League Annual Membership Meeting (April 17, 2016, Little Ferry, NJ)
• Balticon 50 (May 27 - 30, 2016, Baltimore, MD)
• MidAmeriCon II (August 17-21, 2016, Kansas City, MO)
• 67th International Astronautical Congress (September 26 - 30, 2016, Guadalajara, Mexico)
• AMSAT Space Symposium (November 10 - 15, 2016, Galveston, TX)
• Philcon (November 18 - 20, 2016, Cherry Hill, NJ)
• Seventeenth annual SETI League Ham Radio QSO Party (April 15, 2017)
• Twenty Third SETI League Annual Membership Meeting (April 16, 2017)
• 75th Science Fiction Convention (August 9 - 13, 2017, Helsinki, Finland)
• 68th International Astronautical Congress (September 25 - 29, 2017, Adelaide, Australia)
• 69th International Astronautical Congress (October 1 - 5, 2018, Bremen, Germany)

Readers are encouraged to check the SETI League website or email for more details and to submit information about other events.

Financial Reports: 2015 Balance Sheet and 2015 Revenues

• This section provides a financial overview of The SETI League for 2015. Key figures include:
• Total Revenues: $12,448 (filed), compared to a budget of $15,000. This includes $12,448 from Dues, Grants & Contributions and $0 from Interest & Investments.
• Total Expenses: $14,751 (filed), compared to a budget of $14,600. Expenses were allocated as follows: Educ. and Scientific Programs ($11,575), Management & General ($2,196), and Fundraising ($980).
• Excess or (Deficit) for the year: ($2,302) (filed), compared to a budgeted surplus of $400.
• Beginning Net Assets: $6,147.
• Ending Net Assets: $3,845.

Pie charts visually represent the breakdown of revenues and expenses.

Guest Editorial: Einstein's Gravitas by Dan Duda

This editorial revisits Einstein's theories of relativity, highlighting their continued relevance in modern cosmology. The author discusses the recent discovery of gravitational waves, which he states confirms Einstein's concept of space-time as a unified, flexible fabric. He distinguishes between 'gravity waves' (used in weather forecasting) and 'gravitational waves' (cosmological phenomena predicted by Einstein).

The detection of these waves was made possible by the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory (LIGO), which uses laser light bounced through long pipes to measure subtle changes in space-time. The discovery, confirmed with a 5.1 sigma significance, has profound implications: it validates Einstein's predictions, offers a new tool for exploring the universe, and paves the way for advanced technologies like satellite-based observatories. The editorial concludes with a quote from Einstein emphasizing the importance of creative imagination in scientific advancement.

SETI League 2016 Budget (Subject to Board Approval)

• This table outlines the proposed budget for The SETI League in 2016:
• Total Revenues: $15,000 (budgeted), primarily from Dues, Grants & Contributions.
• Total Expenses: $15,000 (budgeted), with $12,000 allocated to Educ. and Scientific Programs, $2,000 to Management & General, and $1,000 to Fundraising.
• Excess or (Deficit) for the year: $0.
• Beginning Net Assets: $3,845.
• Ending Net Assets: $3,845.

Announcement of the Twenty-Second Annual Membership Meeting

This announcement details the upcoming Annual Membership Meeting of The SETI League, Inc., scheduled for Sunday, April 17, 2016, at 1 PM Eastern Time. The meeting will be held at Eventide, Inc., One Alsan Way, Little Ferry, NJ. Directions are provided, including information for those flying commercially to Newark International Airport (EWR) and those using General Aviation at Teterboro Airport. Members are encouraged to attend, as a quorum requires only one percent of the membership. The preliminary agenda includes standard meeting items such as Call to Order, Minutes, Financial Report, Committee Reports, Old and New Business, and Good and Welfare. Members are asked to submit agenda items by April 1, 2016, and to RSVP to the secretary.

The annual Board of Trustees Meeting will immediately follow the Membership Meeting.

Membership Renewal and Premiums

The final page serves as a membership renewal form and catalog for SETI League premiums. It outlines various membership categories (Full, Supporting, Scholarship, Household, Life, Sustaining Life, Patron, Director, Benefactor) with their respective annual dues. It also lists available premiums such as pocket protectors, mouse pads, CD-ROMs, proceedings from conferences, technical manuals, books, and t-shirts. Payment options include checks and PayPal. Information is provided for members to update their address and for those whose memberships may have expired.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of SearchLites revolve around the advancement of scientific understanding, particularly in physics and cosmology, and its connection to the broader mission of SETI. The magazine consistently promotes SETI League activities, including its annual meetings and ham radio events, and encourages member participation and support. There is a strong emphasis on community and collaboration, as seen in the tribute to Sam Lightfoot and the announcements of various conferences. The editorial stance appears to be one of informed optimism regarding scientific discovery and the ongoing search for extraterrestrial intelligence, while also maintaining a grounded approach through financial reporting and membership engagement.