Status
Available
Publication
Codice (2012), Perfect Paperback
Description
In this mind-expanding book, Paul Davies, astrobiologist and chairman of the SETI Post-Detection Taskgroup and, refocuses the search, challenging existing ideas of what form an alien intelligence might take, how it might try to communicate with us, and how we should respond if it does.
User reviews
LibraryThing member bragan
Physicist/cosmologist/astrobiologist Paul Davies takes a thought-provoking look at various questions surrounding the idea of life elsewhere in the universe and our attempts to find it. What are the odds that life, and intelligent life, exist elsewhere? How can we even go about making educated
Some of Davies' speculations are out there enough that they almost border on the wacky, but even those exist to make a reasonable point: that our traditional methods of looking tend to assume that aliens are too much like us, when, technologically speaking, what we're like is already changing on a scale of decades.
Overall, it's a provocative, engaging, interesting read, albeit very far from the last word on the subject.
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guesses on that? What kind of evidence might change our estimation of the odds? If such life does exist, what might it be like? And what, if anything, does it mean that in fifty years of looking, we haven't found any intelligent signals, or at least none we could be remotely sure about? Is the conventional, radio-based attempt to detect alien communications really the best way to go about it? What other kinds of evidence might aliens leave of their existence, and how might we look for those? And what happens if we do find something? (Davies is particularly well-placed to address that last question, as he is the chairman of the group that makes protocol recommendations for the possible event.)Some of Davies' speculations are out there enough that they almost border on the wacky, but even those exist to make a reasonable point: that our traditional methods of looking tend to assume that aliens are too much like us, when, technologically speaking, what we're like is already changing on a scale of decades.
Overall, it's a provocative, engaging, interesting read, albeit very far from the last word on the subject.
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LibraryThing member fpagan
If this accomplished and prolific author's opinions on extraterrestrial intelligence and SETI can't be respected, whose can? He says that vastly more imaginative ideas and approaches are needed. E.g. one chapter, by some reasoning akin to the anthropic principle and the doomsday argument, suggests
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that ETIs are either practically nonexistent or very numerous but not something in-between. Another chapter opines that ETIs could be post-biological -- "auto-teleological super-systems." Quantum Matrioshka brains, anyone? Show Less
LibraryThing member jmchshannon
Are we or aren't we alone in the universe? Mr. Davies presents valid points for both sides of the argument. Because of the hypothetical nature of any of his points, a reader may find some of his more esoteric of his conclusions difficult to follow. As befits Mr. Davies' background, there is a heavy
Mr. Davies shines when presenting more theological and social implications for the eerie silence. Granted, no matter what the outcome, the implications for mankind are scary and rather depressing, an effect Mr. Davies himself acknowledges.
The Eerie Silence is a fascinating study of reasons why being alone in the universe, or that we will most likely never make contact, is more probable than the idea that the universe is teeming with life. Mankind has, to date, taken for granted the idea that ET exists, but after fifty years, it may be time to make some adjustments in our assumptions. Mr. Davies makes a great case for the fact that should extraterrestrial life exist, it most likely will be either microbial or machine in nature rather than humanoid.
In spite of some of the difficulties with the more hypothetical nature of the arguments, Mr. Davies presents his ideas clearly and concisely. His use of mathematics and well-known scientific laws helps make his theories more plausible and the book more enjoyable, even if they are at such a level that automatically precludes enjoyment by a large portion of the population. His image of possible alien life is extraordinarily rich and detailed, making it easy for a reader to be able to envision these possible life forms. The result is a rich and varied presentation on the possibilities behind
The Eerie Silence and suggestions for how to work around our current constraints.
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reliance on theoretical physics. While he does an admirable job of trying to explain the science behind the ideas, the science itself is at too advanced a level for the masses. Nutrinos, cosmic rays, quantum physics - while interesting, it can be mind-numbing and difficult to follow.Mr. Davies shines when presenting more theological and social implications for the eerie silence. Granted, no matter what the outcome, the implications for mankind are scary and rather depressing, an effect Mr. Davies himself acknowledges.
The Eerie Silence is a fascinating study of reasons why being alone in the universe, or that we will most likely never make contact, is more probable than the idea that the universe is teeming with life. Mankind has, to date, taken for granted the idea that ET exists, but after fifty years, it may be time to make some adjustments in our assumptions. Mr. Davies makes a great case for the fact that should extraterrestrial life exist, it most likely will be either microbial or machine in nature rather than humanoid.
In spite of some of the difficulties with the more hypothetical nature of the arguments, Mr. Davies presents his ideas clearly and concisely. His use of mathematics and well-known scientific laws helps make his theories more plausible and the book more enjoyable, even if they are at such a level that automatically precludes enjoyment by a large portion of the population. His image of possible alien life is extraordinarily rich and detailed, making it easy for a reader to be able to envision these possible life forms. The result is a rich and varied presentation on the possibilities behind
The Eerie Silence and suggestions for how to work around our current constraints.
Show Less
LibraryThing member jefware
Comes to grips with the apparent lack of evidence for alien life.
LibraryThing member schatzi
We've been listening to the universe for decades, and yet we have still been unable to find evidence for intelligent life beyond our planet. Why? Paul Davies tackles this question, providing numerous possibilities. There's a lot of food for thought in this book, and it's quite readable as long as
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you have a basic grasp of science. Show Less
LibraryThing member psutto
Very Good
Book all about SETI
Paul Davies is head of the SETI post-detection task group and has written a reflection of 50 years of scanning the skies for alien intelligence. This is an exploration of our existensial angst, are we alone in this vast universe? Davies explains why SETI may have been
Overall - This is a very thorough investigation of what it would mean to find intelligent life “out there”. Highly recommended.
Book all about SETI
Paul Davies is head of the SETI post-detection task group and has written a reflection of 50 years of scanning the skies for alien intelligence. This is an exploration of our existensial angst, are we alone in this vast universe? Davies explains why SETI may have been
Show More
unsuccessful these last 50+ years. The option that we are truly alone, we after all only have 1 example of life (everything on Earth comes from a common ancestor), is thoroughly explored. Davies uses basic science and statistics to explore this idea and suggests a new way forward for SETI, not just to listen out for radio signals in a small wavelength but look for all different signs of life. Overall - This is a very thorough investigation of what it would mean to find intelligent life “out there”. Highly recommended.
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LibraryThing member anthonycamber
This book has been on my to-read pile for some time, and as with many books about science it has suffered a little from the pace of progress. All of the Kepler mission's discoveries are in the book's future, for example. Not the book's fault, clearly, and in fact it's interesting to read knowing
I was surprised that Davies didn't touch on one possible reason for The Eerie Silence of his title: that we live in a simulation. It's a theory worth examination in a book such as this.
Otherwise, a good overview of SETI and the competing theories for the lay reader.
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some things the author didn't.I was surprised that Davies didn't touch on one possible reason for The Eerie Silence of his title: that we live in a simulation. It's a theory worth examination in a book such as this.
Otherwise, a good overview of SETI and the competing theories for the lay reader.
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LibraryThing member crookesy
If you want a modern survey of the state of SETI, the likelihood of other life, and the Fermi paradox this is a good book to read, with good notes and bibliography to follow up further. No answers yet though!
LibraryThing member BakuDreamer
Both Davies and Shostak agree that anything past us has hit ' post-biological ' a long time ago ( so what we're looking for are machines )
He also agrees that sending signals ( METI ) is a very bad idea. ( But you can't stop anyone with the capabiliy to do so from doing it )
He also agrees that sending signals ( METI ) is a very bad idea. ( But you can't stop anyone with the capabiliy to do so from doing it )
LibraryThing member TheCrow2
Paul Davies summarizing the history and possibilities of the 50 years old SETI project. What are the methods alien civilizations can message to us? How can we find them? What can we do after finding them? Are they exist at all?
LibraryThing member Stbalbach
Having recently read Contact for the first time, The Eerie Silence was a perfect 30 year follow-up to see where things stand in the search for intelligent life. The title says it all. Davies is an expert in the field and so I valued hearing his ideas, informed by scientific rigor (he is an
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astrophysicist). He balances the general arguments for and against alien life, and while the pro arguments are well known the con arguments are new to me, and somewhat persuasive as well. Davies also discusses the implications of finding alien life (or not), both for our current culture and the future of humanity. Overall there is a lot here to chew on. It needs a slow and considered reading which made the audiobook experience less than ideal, though I was generally able to keep up. I wish the writing was a little tighter and less essay-ish but the core ideas are still there. Show Less
LibraryThing member TromboneAl
I read this book partly for research for a sci fi book I'm writing, but also to understand why SETI has been so unsuccessful.
He showed me why. Namely, 1. Concerning civilizations that detect our broadcasts, then send us a message, the timing doesn't work. For example, if the civilization is 100
He says we need to figure out new ways to search--the radio telescope thing isn't working.
Surprisingly, his conclusion is that we are probably the only intelligent life in the observable universe. I read that several times. That's what he says.
He showed me why. Namely, 1. Concerning civilizations that detect our broadcasts, then send us a message, the timing doesn't work. For example, if the civilization is 100
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light-years away, they would just be detecting our signals about now, and it would be another 100 years before we would get their signals. 2. Concerning our detecting incidental signals from other civilizations, they are just too weak for us. Also, judging from our brief transmission period (as we move towards cable), we'd have to be lucky to detect them at the right time, and 3. Concerning "tutorial beacons" they just take too much energy.He says we need to figure out new ways to search--the radio telescope thing isn't working.
Surprisingly, his conclusion is that we are probably the only intelligent life in the observable universe. I read that several times. That's what he says.
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LibraryThing member soraxtm
I have been listening to a lot of physics lectures lately. Since i peick great lecturers i get a lot out of them. Unfortunately even though Davies is a famous actual scientist this book is incredibly pedantic and BORING. Thank god i found a great biography of Turing because This book is inhuman.
LibraryThing member antao
Every discussion about aliens is necessarily a thought experiment, given the lack of empirical evidence.
A fundamental question here is whether the idea that civilisations would see each other as rivals (or have other reasons for wanting to destroy each other) is plausible. There's no way of knowing
So, what other reasons might all/most civilisations be trying to destroy each other, as a default? As far as I can see that only makes sense if civilisations are so numerous as to be close enough together to be competing (or potentially competing) over scarce resources- and therefore see each other as rivals to be destroyed. Based on our efforts so far, that appears highly unlikely. It seems more likely that if other advanced life exists, the distances between civilisations means that there would be little need to compete with each other.
Now, of course, tons of assumptions go into this- but they are at least as plausible as the assumptions behind the dark forest idea.
We will never know until either friendly aliens show us the way to their intergalactic portal and deliver our first lot of replicators or a huge 1 dimensional fractal weapon obliterates our solar system.
That those looking for "life" elsewhere are delusional fantasists. That's fine, aren't we all, to some degree? We mock those standing on rain swept stations with notebooks and pencils, we wonder at stamp collections, we tut-tut at soap-opera addicts - alien hunters are in a worse position: there is no train, stamp, or Corrie, just the hope of the spectacular reversal of assumption so that they may cry: “See! I told you!”
4 points more:
- - Nothing much to explain why co-ordinating activities at SETI with the VLA (while a sensible step) should make any great leap forward or breakthrough in long standing speculation and belief. How will a supercomputer filter make difference to nil perceived detections so far?
- - Statistical probability plays as much as anything else in bringing alien detection into mainstream thinking, triggered by discovery of exo-planets as the norm and water detection elsewhere in the Solar System.
- - And risks from hostile worlds have long been warned before Hawking. H G Wells, for example, was on to that risk.
- Even if there is intelligent life out there, relativity rather spoils the chances of meeting them. If a planet is 50 light years away we'll get to exchange messages with the answer coming back a century later, and travel between us would take millennia.
Of course, the speed of light is restricted by the permittivity of free-space (the so-called Vacuum-constant). All that you have to do is build a machine that alters the permittivity of free space, and Voila! Light can travel faster, and therefore so can we. So I suggest we all get ourselves into our garden shed, and start working on it.
A fundamental question here is whether the idea that civilisations would see each other as rivals (or have other reasons for wanting to destroy each other) is plausible. There's no way of knowing
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if, say, every other civilisation turns out to have sort of fundamental genocidal impulse, but there doesn't seem to be any reason to assume this, either.So, what other reasons might all/most civilisations be trying to destroy each other, as a default? As far as I can see that only makes sense if civilisations are so numerous as to be close enough together to be competing (or potentially competing) over scarce resources- and therefore see each other as rivals to be destroyed. Based on our efforts so far, that appears highly unlikely. It seems more likely that if other advanced life exists, the distances between civilisations means that there would be little need to compete with each other.
Now, of course, tons of assumptions go into this- but they are at least as plausible as the assumptions behind the dark forest idea.
We will never know until either friendly aliens show us the way to their intergalactic portal and deliver our first lot of replicators or a huge 1 dimensional fractal weapon obliterates our solar system.
That those looking for "life" elsewhere are delusional fantasists. That's fine, aren't we all, to some degree? We mock those standing on rain swept stations with notebooks and pencils, we wonder at stamp collections, we tut-tut at soap-opera addicts - alien hunters are in a worse position: there is no train, stamp, or Corrie, just the hope of the spectacular reversal of assumption so that they may cry: “See! I told you!”
4 points more:
- - Nothing much to explain why co-ordinating activities at SETI with the VLA (while a sensible step) should make any great leap forward or breakthrough in long standing speculation and belief. How will a supercomputer filter make difference to nil perceived detections so far?
- - Statistical probability plays as much as anything else in bringing alien detection into mainstream thinking, triggered by discovery of exo-planets as the norm and water detection elsewhere in the Solar System.
- - And risks from hostile worlds have long been warned before Hawking. H G Wells, for example, was on to that risk.
- Even if there is intelligent life out there, relativity rather spoils the chances of meeting them. If a planet is 50 light years away we'll get to exchange messages with the answer coming back a century later, and travel between us would take millennia.
Of course, the speed of light is restricted by the permittivity of free-space (the so-called Vacuum-constant). All that you have to do is build a machine that alters the permittivity of free space, and Voila! Light can travel faster, and therefore so can we. So I suggest we all get ourselves into our garden shed, and start working on it.
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LibraryThing member Steve_Walker
Are we alone? The question haunts us, and over the centuries the interest in the topic waxes and wanes like the phases of the moon. Currently there is a great deal of interest in the topic due to the recent discoveries made by NASA's Kepler Space Telescope. The quest is described as the search for
in the Fermi Paradox, if there are so many potential planets, where is everybody? The Eerie Silence is one of the better and more thoughtful books on the topic of whether we are alone in the universe.
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"Earth's twin". However, we still do not possess the technology or, indeed, the cultural and political will to invent it to explore possible candidates. And there is the ultimate question, phrasedin the Fermi Paradox, if there are so many potential planets, where is everybody? The Eerie Silence is one of the better and more thoughtful books on the topic of whether we are alone in the universe.
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LibraryThing member dcunning11235
I admit, I'm a SETI supporter, even if only in spirit these days (my CPU's are doing Folding@home, now.) This is a great book that is simultaneously a highly accessible overview of the issues and details of SETI, an argument for doing SETI, and in the best tradition of SETI, an touches on many
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interesting questions (What is life? Technologically, and hence culturally, where might we go from here? Etc.) Show Less
Language
Original publication date
2010
Physical description
238 p.; 8.43 inches
ISBN
8875782660 / 9788875782665
Local notes
Dal 1960 il programma scientifico SETI (Search for ExtraTerrestrial Intelligence) scandaglia lo spazio siderale nella speranza di intercettare un segnale, un qualsiasi segnale, che ci confermi l'esistenza di una civiltà extraterrestre. Finora però ogni sforzo si è tradotto in uno strano, e un po' inquietante, silenzio. Significa che dobbiamo arrenderci all'idea che siamo davvero soli nell'Universo, e che non esistono altre forme di vita? Non necessariamente, secondo Paul Davies. Il silenzio che ci circonda forse vuol dire che stiamo cercando la cosa sbagliata nel modo sbagliato, e che un buon inizio per affrontare la probabilità dell'esistenza di ET è affrontare l'improbabilità nell'Universo della presenza umana. Uno strano silenzio è un libro provocatorio e coraggioso, dove il rigore della scienza non ruba la scena ma anzi alimenta la riflessione sociale e filosofica di uno dei temi capace di toccare le corde più profonde dell'inquietudine umana.
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