What If We Never Search?

posted in: Quotes, SETI | 4

In September 1959, Giuseppe Cocconi and Philip Morrison published “Searching for Interstellar Communications” in the science journal Nature. The article advocated searching for intelligent extraterrestrial life using radio telescopes. This article, along with Frank Drake’s search seven months later, essentially began modern-day SETI.

Here’s the last sentence of the Cocconi-Morrison article:

“The probability of success is difficult to estimate; but if we never search, the chance of success is zero.”

Words to live by, I think.

Photo: a paper weight on Jill Tarter’s desk.

4 Responses

  1. Haroon

    Words I too often forget.

    That paper weight is awesome. I want one.

  2. David Licata

    I think we all forget those words too often.

    I couldn’t believe it when I saw that paperweight in her office; I couldn’t have asked a set decorator to find a more suitable prop.

  3. Haroon

    Seriously, it’s perfect. It should definitely be on your DVD cover at least, if not the theatrical poster.

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