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I was listening to Dr. Frank Drake talk about the first attempt to listen for an extraterrestrial signal using a large radio telescope. Most here probably know that Drake is famous for his equation which seeks to estimate the number of planets in the galaxy likely to have intelligent life.
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/origins/drake.html
He explained that the likelihood of life on other planets was a wild guess at that time, so they knew that life could be so common they might expect to detect a signal on the first try; or maybe never. So they tried the first star and followed it until it set. Then they turned to the second star and…there it was! Not only was it a unique signal - like none heard before – but it also sounded exactly like an artificial signal might sound. So for a time they thought that it really might be a transmission from intelligent aliens.
What made me think was when he said: "It was a feeling like no other, [long pause] and I'd like to have it again."
Wow, I had never seriously considered how it might feel to make such a discovery. I would bet the feeling is quite unique, indeed!
So what other experiences, times, or places, have distinct and strong feelings associated with the memory? For me the feeling of, well, for one, getting married comes to mind. The feeling of a S. Cal beach in July. The feeling of Christmas...
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/origins/drake.html
He explained that the likelihood of life on other planets was a wild guess at that time, so they knew that life could be so common they might expect to detect a signal on the first try; or maybe never. So they tried the first star and followed it until it set. Then they turned to the second star and…there it was! Not only was it a unique signal - like none heard before – but it also sounded exactly like an artificial signal might sound. So for a time they thought that it really might be a transmission from intelligent aliens.
What made me think was when he said: "It was a feeling like no other, [long pause] and I'd like to have it again."
Wow, I had never seriously considered how it might feel to make such a discovery. I would bet the feeling is quite unique, indeed!
So what other experiences, times, or places, have distinct and strong feelings associated with the memory? For me the feeling of, well, for one, getting married comes to mind. The feeling of a S. Cal beach in July. The feeling of Christmas...
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