The field "is in a stage of explosive growth," says Kent Cullers, director of research and development at the SETI Institute in Mountain View, Calif. "I'm not only excited, I'm ebullient."

A decade ago, the idea of searching for intelligent life drew more sneers than cheers in some circles. Congress was skeptical. NASA ended its small-scale program, leaving the search to private efforts. Now, interest is building again.[\quote]

Finally, some good news! This is the most important work we can do. It deserves funding, time, and interest. Hopefully, this time it will stay in the limelight, and those in our governments will keep this type of thing on their funding radar.