SearchLites - Vol 26 No 3

Magazine Overview

Title: SearchLites
Issue: Vol. 26 No. 3
Date: Summer 2020
Publisher: The SETI League, Inc.
Type: Quarterly Newsletter

Editorial: We're Doing OK

The issue opens with a message from Executive Director Emeritus H. Paul Shuch, assuring members that The SETI League is managing well despite the global public health crisis. The office near New York City is closed, with staff working from home. He confirms that the organization's finances are stable due to past fiscal policies and member generosity, and thus they will not be soliciting additional contributions. Shuch encourages members to stay safe and practice social distancing.

Guest Editorial: Consciousness-Again

Dan Duda contributes a guest editorial, expressing his ongoing fascination with the concept of consciousness. He notes the current scientific environment is rich with discussions on the subject but highlights that science, focused on quantitative study, struggles to explain the qualitative nature of subjective experience. Duda references Philip Goff's observation that science lacks an explanation for how the brain gives rise to consciousness. He then introduces the ideas of Bernardo Kastrup, a Dutch computer scientist and philosopher, who proposes that consciousness is not an evolved trait but a fundamental, intrinsic aspect of the universe that preceded evolution. Kastrup suggests that the universe itself possesses a rudimentary level of consciousness, and that our brains might serve to limit our awareness. Duda finds Kastrup's hypothesis compelling, suggesting it could explain many scientific conundrums and require a rethinking of fundamental principles. Kastrup's quote, "Phenomenal consciousness cannot have evolved. It can only have been there from the beginning as an intrinsic, irreducible fact of nature," is highlighted.

Minutes of the 2020 Virtual Board of Trustees Meeting

The minutes detail the board meeting conducted electronically on April 26, 2020. A quorum was present, including Trustees and Officers A. Heather Wood, Richard Factor, and H. Paul Shuch. The minutes from the 2019 meetings were accepted. The Treasurer's Report for calendar year 2019 showed revenues of $14,381 and expenses of $19,410, resulting in a deficit of $5,030. The year-end balance was $19,634. The 2020 budget projected revenues of $14,000 and expenses of $15,500, with a projected deficit of $1,500 and an ending balance of $18,134.

Executive Director's Report

During 2019, the Executive Director published four issues of SearchLites, gave SETI lectures, performed 52 weekly website updates, posted approximately 100 photos and links to Facebook, issued one press release, and responded to numerous inquiries. He was also elected an Emeritus member of the International Academy of Astronautics SETI Committee.

Committee Reports

Membership: Eight new members joined in 2019, with three new members by the time of the report.

OSETI Committee: The SETI Institute has yet to provide details on OSETI equipment. Mr. Factor plans an Optical SETI observatory in Sedona, AZ, and was advised by Prof. Shuch to contact Dr. Andrew Siemion at UC Berkeley for information on Optical SETI projects.

Awards Committee: Only one website received the SETI SuperStar award in 2019. No Giordano Bruno or Orville N. Greene Awards were presented.

Old Business

Annual Report: Financial updates were posted online and published in SearchLites.

Web Server: The website is functioning well. The organization continues to use a commercial email service. Prof. Shuch noted that emails to [email protected] were going unanswered, and Ms. Wood agreed to check this address.

Interstellar Beacon: The project at Florida Institute of Technology has concluded, with grant funds remitted. Prof. Shuch and Mr. Kitchen deemed the initiative's viability for meaningful interstellar range unlikely.

New Business

Election of Officers: The slate of officers, including President Richard Factor, Secretary/Treasurer A. Heather Wood, Executive Director Emeritus H. Paul Shuch, and Registered Agent Anthony Agnello, was retained for another year.

Annual Budget: The draft 2020 Budget was adopted.

Tax Return Filing: The organizational tax return was successfully e-filed with the IRS.

Mid-Year Renewal Letter: A letter offering discounted dues to lapsed members is forthcoming.

New Jersey Charities Registration: The SETI League was informed it was delinquent in its annual registration; all forms have since been filed and fees paid.

Next Meeting

The next Annual Meeting is scheduled for Sunday, April 18, 2021, at Eventide, Inc., followed by the Board of Trustees meeting.

Personnel Matters

The cost-sharing of the Executive Director Emeritus's health insurance premiums will continue.

Advisory Board

The Executive Director Emeritus thanked the Advisory Board for over two and a half decades of service.

Good and Welfare

The SETI League's Facebook page has 1,416 'likes' and 1,444 'follows', showing growth.

Adjournment

The Annual Board of Trustees Meeting adjourned on April 26, 2020, at 14:54 EDT.

Event Horizon

This section lists upcoming conferences and meetings where SETI-related information will be presented. Several events, including the Global Space Exploration Conference, Penn State SETI Symposium, 43rd COSPAR Scientific Assembly, and the 71st International Astronautical Congress, were canceled or rescheduled due to the COVID-19 emergency. Future events in 2021 and 2022 are also listed.

Happy Birthday, Frank Drake!

The newsletter celebrates Frank Drake's 90th birthday on May 28, 2020. It highlights his pioneering work in observational SETI, including his 1960 search at the National Radio Astronomy Observatory, convening the first SETI conference, creating the Drake Equation, and co-designing the Arecibo Message. The SETI League expresses gratitude for his contributions.

SETI SuperStar Award

Members are encouraged to nominate SETI-relevant websites for the monthly SETI SuperStar Award.

AmazonSmile

A promotion encourages members to support The SETI League by shopping through AmazonSmile.

Annual Renewal

This section serves as a renewal notice for SETI League memberships, reminding members to check their expiration dates and renew. It provides membership categories and pricing, as well as a list of available premiums for purchase, including CDs, books, and merchandise. Payment can be made via PayPal.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include the operational resilience of The SETI League during the COVID-19 pandemic, the financial health and budgeting of the organization, and the ongoing scientific exploration of consciousness. The editorial stance, as expressed by H. Paul Shuch and Dan Duda, is one of cautious optimism and continued dedication to the mission of SETI, emphasizing scientific inquiry and the importance of member support. The newsletter also reflects a commitment to acknowledging significant figures in the field, such as Frank Drake.