SearchLites - Vol 26 No 2

Magazine Overview

SearchLites, Volume 26, Number 2, Spring 2020. This issue of The SETI League's quarterly newsletter delves into philosophical and technological topics related to the search for extraterrestrial intelligence, alongside organizational announcements.

Guest Editorial: Consciousness - the Hard Question

This section features a guest editorial by Dan Duda, originally from the February 2020 issue of Penn Central. Duda explores the enigmatic nature of consciousness, presenting panpsychism – the idea that consciousness is a fundamental property of the universe – as a radical but serious concept. He references thinkers like Gottfried Leibniz and David Chalmers, who suggest that consciousness might be what imbues physical equations with meaning. Duda also touches upon pantheism, interpreting the universe itself as a conscious entity. The editorial then pivots to Artificial Intelligence (AI), questioning whether machines can become conscious. Drawing on the panpsychist view, he suggests that consciousness might be linked to the volume and speed of information integration, potentially leading to superintelligent machines. He mentions prognosticators like Ray Kurzweil, who propose either a takeover by superior machine intelligence or a merger between humans and technology. Duda notes that this merger is already occurring through advancements like glasses, hearing aids, and AI devices. He concludes by reflecting on Isaac Newton's humility in the face of vast, undiscovered truths.

A disclaimer notes that the opinions in the editorial are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The SETI League, Inc.

Event Horizon

This section lists upcoming conferences and meetings where SETI-related information will be presented. It includes events from April 2020 through October 2021, spanning various locations globally, such as Little Ferry (NJ, USA), Baltimore (MD, USA), St. Petersburg (Russia), State College (PA, USA), Quincy (MA, USA), Towson (MD, USA), Wellington (New Zealand), Sydney (Australia), Rome (Italy), Dubai (UAE), Sterling (VA, USA), Rockville (MD, USA), Cherry Hill (NJ, USA), Washington (DC, USA), and Paris (France). Readers are encouraged to check the SETI League website or email for more details and to submit information about other relevant events.

Announcement of the Twenty-Sixth Annual Membership Meeting

This article announces The SETI League, Inc.'s Twenty-sixth Annual Membership Meeting, scheduled for Sunday, April 26, 2020, at 1 PM Eastern time in Little Ferry, NJ. The meeting will be held at the conference room of Eventide, Inc. Directions and transportation recommendations, including for those flying into Newark International Airport (EWR) or Teterboro Airport, are provided. A map courtesy of MapQuest is included.

It is stated that a quorum requires attendance by one percent of the League's membership. All members in good standing are encouraged to attend. The preliminary agenda includes 'Call to Order,' 'Minutes of 2019 Membership Meeting,' 'Financial Report,' 'Committee Reports,' 'Old Business,' 'New Business,' 'Good and Welfare,' and 'Adjournment.'

Members are reminded that notice is being provided per the Bylaws, and they are encouraged to submit agenda items by April 1, 2020. RSVP to the secretary is requested for planning purposes. The annual Board of Trustees Meeting will immediately follow the Membership Meeting, and all SETI League members are welcome to attend.

Bulletin Board

This section contains several brief announcements:

• AmazonSmile: Members are encouraged to support The SETI League by shopping on AmazonSmile (www.smile.amazon.com) and selecting 'SETI League' as their charitable organization. Amazon will donate 0.5% of eligible purchases to SETI research.
• SETI SuperStar Award: Members are invited to nominate SETI-relevant websites for the monthly SETI SuperStar Award by sending an email with the website URL and a brief explanation to [email protected].
• Facebook Page: Readers are encouraged to visit The SETI League's Facebook page (www.facebook.com/setileague) to stay updated on SETI news and join conversations. Participation is open to non-members as well.

Membership Renewal and Premiums

Page 4 is dedicated to annual membership renewal and ordering membership premiums. It reminds members that memberships are issued for the calendar year and prompts them to check their mailing label for expiration dates. Renewal can be done by filling out and returning the page with payment. Various membership categories are listed with their annual dues. A section also details available membership premiums, including pocket protectors, mouse pads, CD-ROMs, proceedings from SETICon and EuroSETI, technical manuals, books, songbooks, music CDs, and T-shirts. A special 'SETI Nerd Gift Set' is offered at a discount to members. Payment options include checks payable through a US bank and PayPal via [email protected].

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the philosophical underpinnings of consciousness and its potential relation to artificial intelligence, reflecting a forward-looking and speculative stance on the nature of intelligence and existence. The SETI League's organizational activities, such as its annual meeting and membership drives, are also prominent, emphasizing community engagement and support for its mission. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, encouraging members to engage with complex ideas and participate in the organization's activities, while also providing practical avenues for support and connection (e.g., AmazonSmile, Facebook).