Scientists suggest protocol for messaging to aliens

Scientists suggest protocol for messaging to aliens

www.physorg.com

PhysOrg.com) -- In 1974, humans broadcast the first message targeted at extraterrestrial life using the Arecibo radio telescope in Puerto Rico. The message, which was aimed at the globular star cluster M13 located 25,000 light years away, consisted of binary digits that encoded information about our DNA, as well as graphics of a human, our Solar System, and the Arecibo telescope. Since then, humans have sent three other messages to nearby stars and planets (20-69 light-years away). These messages have become more complex and anthropocentric, with music, photographs, and drawings submitted by t

(visit the link for the full news article)

Now a team of scientists, Dimitra Atri from the University of Kansas, Julia DeMarines from the International Space University in France, and Jacob Haqq-Misra from Pennsylvania State University, has proposed that future attempts of messaging to extraterrestrial intelligence (METI) should follow a standard protocol to maximize communication effectiveness. They think that some of the content of past METI broadcasts, which contain sights and sounds, would likely go unnoticed by extraterrestrials who do not have visual or auditory perception (like some organisms on Earth). Instead, the researchers argue that short, simple messages with minimal anthropocentrism, and which rely on simple physical or mathematical language, have the best chance of success.

The scientists also emphasize that searching for and attempting to communicate with extraterrestrials is as much about understanding ourselves as it is about finding aliens. Once a protocol is developed, the researchers hope to test it in different human cultures throughout the world in order to minimize cultural bias and make the message as universal as possible. The researchers also plan to create an interactive website at which users can create, send, and decrypt messages to each other that follow the protocol. The researchers explain that, even if most of these messages are never sent into space, they will still allow people from different cultures to better appreciate our human diversity.

“In the next few weeks, we will be collaborating with mathematicians and radio astronomers to come up with both the content and mode of communication of the message,” Atri said. “As suggested in the paper, it will not be anthropocentric like previous attempts. Once our collaboration comes up with a protocol, we will create an interactive website to test it globally. Anyone with internet access will be able to suggest his/her own message within the protocol guidelines based on scientific principles. We are also open to suggestions from both the scientific community and the general public for improvements in the protocol. It will be a community effort.”

Sorry for the long read, but I thought it was pertinent to understand.

My two favorite parts are:

The emphasis that our search for extraterrestrial intelligence is as much about understanding ourselves as finding aliens.

The public website that any one can access to suggest messages or improvements to the system. It will be a community effort. Why not we are all on Spaceship Earth together.

www.physorg.com
(visit the link for the full news article)

w00t! Disclosure is upon us!

I just hope that by the time we do get a signal from aliens it doesn't take a full century for our reply to reach them. By then none of us will be here. Talk about a long distance relationship... You know they’re going to cheat on us.

Once a protocol is developed, the researchers hope to test it in different human cultures throughout the world in order to minimize cultural bias and make the message as universal as possible.

That could also help us humans understand that we are ONE in the same, who all live on the same planet together and need to stop fighting each other.

reply to post by tooo many pills


How is this disclosure?

Is this a joke, since they are already here and more then likely communicating with our military and government, what is the point of this article, is it just another some screen, there will be no disclosure anytime soon unless they are forced to, now what would that take, landings all over the World at the same time, that would them, who ever them is doing the disclosure, they would be catching those who have been covering this up all these years with their pants down.

reply to post by Aquarius1


Yes, exactly. This is just more laughing in our face, and dragging out their perpetual nondisclosure and little useless crumbs while they send counter intelligence agents out to take real issues, dress them up in extreme ways and make them into laughing stocks. Typical!

I have concerns about METI, that don't have anything to do with their "anthropomorphizing."

The most valuable asset in a universe chock full of nothing but space, would be places with life.

Every environment with life is like an oasis in the desert. A vast unending desert.

And where to predators go to eat? The oasis. The wateringhole.

The vast majority of our experience would suggest that competition for resources is a norm, not a special case. Ignoring that experience is .... stupid.

reply to post by timewalker


Most if not all aliens are telepathic and many of the black ops know that! Sending out messages is to appease the simple minded folks on Earth. As is SETI.

You guy's are preaching to the choir. Just like throwing things out for people to nibble on.

reply to post by DevilDog0311


Within the last year the U.N. and the WEF at Davos both had meetings briefing them on aliens and publically what happens when we make our "first contact." Now scientists are starting to refine the protocols for when, how, and whom can message aliens. The U.N. even appointed an ambassador to make the first contact with aliens. You don't think somethings around the corner? Why are they all of a sudden getting to serious about this? People have been thinking about making real contact with aliens for at least 50 years.

Does it have to do with how many possible Earth-like planets our new telescopes are finding in nearly every solar system? Or do they already know something we don’t?