SearchLites - Vol 22 No 3

Magazine Overview

SearchLites, Volume 22, Number 3, Summer 2016, is the quarterly newsletter of The SETI League, Inc. This issue is dedicated to the controversial topic of METI (Messaging to Extraterrestrial Intelligence), also known as Active SETI.

Special METI Issue

The lead article, "The emerging science of METI," highlights the significant controversy surrounding METI within the SETI community. The SETI League itself is not currently involved in such experiments and has no official policy, though some members support active messaging while others express concerns about potential dangers. The newsletter features guest editorials from various perspectives on the issue.

Guest Editorial: Is Active SETI Really Dangerous?

By John Traphagan, this editorial explores the potential dangers of METI. Traphagan questions whether science is an unambiguous moral good, drawing parallels to ethical dilemmas in other scientific fields. He argues that while hiding from potential extraterrestrial (ET) threats might be difficult given Earth's electromagnetic leakage, the greater danger may lie in the destabilization of human civilization upon contact. This could manifest as panic, infighting, or religious upheaval. Traphagan also considers the possibility that advanced ET civilizations might have a "Prime Directive" to avoid interfering with less developed ones, suggesting that sending a message might indicate nefarious intentions or a lack of consideration from the senders. Conversely, he notes that the risk of receiving a signal might be greater than sending one, due to the unpredictable reactions of a socially fragile world. He concludes that hiding is pointless, and instead, humanity should carefully consider the content and consequences of any message sent.

Guest Editorial: Mixed Messages

By Louise Butler, this piece, reprinted from the March 2016 issue of Mensa Bulletin, uses the analogy of a first date to describe the process of communicating with an alien species. Butler emphasizes the importance of two-way communication and poses targeted questions about how alien species manifest the basic functions of life: using energy, reproduction, and evolution. She breaks down these broad concepts into more specific questions to gain a deeper understanding of potential alien life forms, aiming to find common ground and compatibility.

Guest Editorial: Reviewing METI

Excerpts from an article by John Gertz, this editorial critiques the arguments surrounding METI. Gertz argues that while medical experiments are subject to strict ethical review, astronomical sciences, particularly METI, lack such oversight despite potentially higher stakes. He notes the absence of credible evidence for past alien visitation and questions the assumption that extraterrestrials would be benign. Gertz suggests that Earth's EM leakage is likely too weak to be detected and that the planet is becoming quieter. He criticizes the urgency claimed by some METI proponents, questioning why they cannot wait for further advancements in SETI technology. He likens METI to a "faith-based religion" rather than science, due to its assumptions about ET's omniscience, benevolence, and omnipotence.

Guest Editorial: Hiding From Aliens No Longer An Option

By Bruce Dorminey, this editorial, from Forbes.com, suggests that hiding from potential extraterrestrial threats is no longer feasible due to Earth's ongoing electromagnetic leakage. Douglas Vakoch, President of METI International, believes it's too late to conceal ourselves and that we should decide how to represent ourselves. METI International plans a sustained project to send information-rich messages, potentially using powerful transmitters like the Arecibo Observatory. The article mentions the 1974 Arecibo message to M13 as an example of a past transmission. Proponents argue that defining ourselves proactively is better than having others make unwarranted assumptions. Joao Pedro Magalhaes advocates for a message indicating readiness to learn from advanced civilizations, suggesting that such transmissions pose no greater risk than our current leakage. Both Vakoch and Magalhaes agree on the importance of representing ourselves credibly, including providing a means for ET to "unpack" the encoded information and potentially including the entire Periodic Table of Elements.

Minutes of the Twenty-Second Annual Membership Meeting

These minutes detail the meeting held on April 17, 2016, in Little Ferry, NJ. Key points include:

• Call to Order: The meeting was called to order by Dr. H. Paul Shuch, with three SETI League members and three guests present. The organization has 120 members.
• Minutes of 2015 Meeting: Accepted as previously posted.
• Treasurer's Report: For calendar year 2015, revenues were $12,448, and expenses were $14,751, resulting in a net loss of $2,302. Account balances at the end of 2015 were $3,845.
• 2016 Budget: Projected revenues of $15,000 and expenses of $15,000, with a projected ending balance of $3,845.
• Executive Director's Report: During 2015, the Executive Director published four issues of SearchLites, gave SETI lectures, updated the website, managed the Facebook page, issued a press release, authored technical articles, served on the IAA SETI Permanent Committee, responded to inquiries, and contributed book royalties.
• Committee Reports: The EME Committee's beacon is off the air due to relocation. The Awards Committee reported no Giordano Bruno or Orville N. Greene Awards were presented, but twelve websites received the SETI SuperStar award. The Very Small Array project is on hold due to lack of funding. The Mid-Year Renewal Letter campaign successfully reinstated lapsed members.
• Annual Report: Publication was delayed pending financial information and budget adoption.
• Web Server: The website is functioning but lacks FTP and bulk email capabilities. Commercial hosting is being considered.
• New Business: A proposal for commercial web and email hosting was recommended. The next Annual Meeting is scheduled for April 23, 2017.
• Good and Welfare: The SETI League's Facebook page has over 1,000 likes. Dr. Shuch read an email about Awards Chairman David Ocame's health issues. Three guests were welcomed.
• Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 13:38 EDT.

Business Transacted by Board of Trustees:

The Board of Trustees meeting followed the membership meeting. Key actions included:

• Election of Officers: The slate of officers was retained for another year, with Richard Factor as President.
• Personnel matters: No executive session was held; all expressed satisfaction. Cost-sharing for the Executive Director Emeritus's health insurance premiums will continue.
• Annual Budget: The draft 2016 Budget was adopted.
• Advisory Board: The Executive Director Emeritus will draft an annual thank-you letter.
• Bank Fees: Credit card processing fees were reduced.
• Tax Return Filing: The organization faced rejections when attempting to eFile its tax return.
• Registered Agent: Anthony Agnello was recruited to serve as the Registered Agent.
• Web Hosting and Press List: Transferring to a commercial hosting service was recommended due to issues with the current server.
• Telecommunications: Incoming phone calls were routed to an inaccessible voicemail, and the fax number was not active. Implementation of a Verizon voicemail box is imminent, and a fax-to-email service will be investigated.
• Scheduling of Next Meeting: The next Board of Trustees meeting was scheduled for April 23, 2017.
• Adjournment: The Board meeting adjourned at 13:58 EDT.

Event Horizon

This section lists upcoming conferences and meetings relevant to SETI, including MidAmeriCon II, the International Astronautical Congress, AMSAT Space Symposium, Philcon, the SETI League Ham Radio QSO Party, and future Science Fiction Conventions.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme throughout this issue is the debate surrounding METI. The guest editorials present a spectrum of opinions, from cautious optimism about the potential for contact to strong warnings about the inherent risks. The SETI League's stance, as articulated in the introduction and implied by the inclusion of diverse viewpoints, is one of careful consideration and a case-by-case evaluation of METI proposals. The organization emphasizes the importance of scientific rigor and the need to protect humanity from irreversible harm, while acknowledging the potential benefits of interstellar communication. The minutes of the annual meeting provide insight into the operational and financial status of The SETI League, highlighting its ongoing activities in public outreach, research support, and member engagement.