What Do You Say to an ET?

How about "Hi. We're new. Is there a FAQ?": Most of the SETI Institute's attention is focused on listening, scanning the skies for a signal from a distant civilization. In its latest efforts, using the Allen Telescope Array, the institute plans to scan one million stars over 10 billion communications channels for a transmission that indicates the presence of intelligent life. But SETI researchers are also concerned with what happens if we actually receive such a message. Do we reply at all, and if so, knowing the importance of first impressions, what do we say? In the past, SETI has asked academics to toss these questions around, but considering that a reply really ought to speak for everyone on the planet, it has decided to broaden the discussion.

On a new site called Earth Speaks, SETI is crowdsourcing the issue, asking people around the world to submit the text, sounds or pictures that they think should be transmitted to an alien race. The intent isn't to pick a winning entry for transmission, but to gain a better sense of the broad themes and common content that emerge from the submissions and any differences that show up among various demographic groups. That information would then be given consideration in any international discussions of a suitable response, said project lead Douglas Vakoch.

If, that is, a response is deemed wise at all, given that we'd likely be talking to a civilization far older and more advanced than ours. "We're in an asymmetric position," said Jill Tarter, director of SETI research and the inspiration for Jodi Foster's character in the movie "Contact." "We don't know if there are other civilizations out there, but if there are, we can be pretty sure we are the youngest. ... As the new kids on the block, we should listen first."

Fu8ll story in LA Times, excerpt from newsletter.