Civilta' extraterrestri

by Isaac Asimov

Paperback, 1994

Status

Available

Genres

Publication

Mondadori (Saggi, 103) (1994), Paperback, 286 pages

Description

Science. Physics. Nonfiction. HTML:Isaac Asimov concludes that we are not alone! Using the most up-to-date astronomical research as the backdrop for speculation, Asimov confronts the possibilities of other-worldly life head-on in Extraterrestrial Civilizations. In what will surely become one of the most provocative books ever written on the possibilities of life elsewhere in the universe, the incomparable Isaac Asimov provides chilling, hopeful, and exciting new insights. Here is astounding speculation about where the next giant step for mankind will take us. . . . Praise for Extraterrestrial Civilizations �??[Isaac] Asimov holds our attention as he builds a meticulous case. We are not alone. It�??s just a matter of time until we know for sure.�?��??Miami Herald "Intriguing"�??Publishers… (more)

User reviews

LibraryThing member themulhern

The "extraterrestrial civilizations" are really just a framing device to allow Asimov to write about all the things he most likes to write about. As usual, he writes about these things very well.

Detailed Review:

Chapter 1: The Earth
Asimov sets the stage, discussing the principles of science, the

meaning of "supernatural" and of "superhuman". Then he discusses intelligence in inanimate matter, plants, and animals. He points out that we can speculate all we want to about intelligences very unlike ours, but since we know nothing about these, we must go forward without considering these. Finally, he makes the building and maintenance of fire the distinguishing mark of intelligence. Conscientiously, he points out that this is unfair to dolphins, which for all we know, can imagine fire without having any ability to make or use fire, due to their aquatic environment and evolutionarily determined shape (no hands or arms), but again points out that for the purposes of discussion it doesn't matter. Then finally he gets to civilization, and points out that in SETI the only extraterrestrial civilization that we can reasonably have a practical interest in are those that are detectable; that send out energetic signals of some sort.

He quotes the dramatist, Congreve: "I could never look long upon a monkey, without very mortifying reflections."

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Subjects

Civilization

Life on other planets

Language

Italian

Original publication date

1979

Local notes

L'uomo è solo nell'universo? Oppure esistono altre intelligenze, altre civiltà, altre forme di vita con cui comunicare? E se ci sono come mai non ne abbiamo trovata traccia? Una serie di interrogativi affascinanti che l'umanità fin dai tempi più antichi ha creduto di risolvere popolando via via la Luna, i pianeti del sistema solare, quelli di tutta la nostra galassia e di quelle che riusciamo a scorgere. Ma è poi tutto vero? Può la vita trasferirsi da un pianeta ad un altro? E' come altri affermano un fatto accaduto alla terra? A questi interrogativi Asimov ha cercato di dare una risposta esauriente ed attendibile. Partendo dai presupposti minimi perché una civiltà aliena sia riconoscibile come tale, l'autore traccia una mappa della nostra galassia e dell'universo alla ricerca dei "pianeti giusti" per ospitare la vita.
(piopas)