I share the suspicions raised by people like professor Allen Tough, of the University of Toronto, about illegal State surveillance on personal and scientific affairs of the people involved with the search for extraterrestrial intelligence. And this is not a mere conspiracy theory.

To me it has always been natural that the State would sooner or later concern about the SETI. History offers a pletora of samples of how the Powers That Be fear the discovery and diffusion of uncomfortable truths(*). The people involved in the SETI tend to be seen by the Governments (and certain fraction of mankind) as "Templars" bearing an unfathomable revelation. The typical government system is upset by the idea that off-State institutions may access sensitive information, like those that could emerge from a successful contact with an extraterrestrial civilization (I can imagine the generals at the Pentagon pounding the table every time someone pronounces the acronym "SETI").

Of course it would be an exaggeration the hypothesis that governmental organisms, in the eventuality of a detection, would take-over the SETI, and get into controlling directly the activity, because all the institutions that work in this field are located in (at least formally) democratic States. An intervention in the think tanks of SETI, would probably be followed by a strong reaction orchestrated by the world's intellectuality (the press, artists, philosophers, NGO's, etc.), in a way that such intervention would not be too practical (even if it was Constitutionally possible). What we should expect is (given the information that SETI websites are monitored) an ever increasing State ruling on the subject.

As the lower ranks of the governmental intelligence hierarchy generate more and more material relative to SETI, is just a matter of time until certain documents get to the summit (amplified by the mythology). From that moment on we must expect a multiplying effect that could ultima ratioturn SETI into a relevant theme for the National Security, a matter to be handled by politicians. We should also expect the introduction of control mechanisms similar to those employed in the nuclear question. And if the State opt for really enforcing its will, it can always manipulate the public opinion through the use of the extensive mythology that surrounds the ETI.

For the sake of all the values we believe, it is necessary to fight fiercely the obscurantists from the underground. It is necessary to take the lead on this debate. I think we should better speak out clearly to the world society before governments do it. If such constraints to the SETI ultimately materialize it will be a great shame, because the SETI, as it is configured, represents the good face of the globalization, a vast experience of shared knowledge, capable of enthuse millions (amateurs, students, young people, etc) by its fascination, as its been demonstrated through the efforts of SETI@home. The possibilities of such knowledge web in generating understanding and cooperation among people all over the world must be nurtured and cherished. And they are infinite. The SETI groups (without knowing or consciously wanting) foment peace as they unite to cooperate in finding a sense for life, our place in the cosmos. The quest for the ETI entangles with the quest for ourselves. I believe that all groups linked to the SETI (passive and active) must denounce and repudiate vehemently the eventual effort of Governments in debilitating the ETI research. The Leviathan, that insinuates itself with crescent impetus, in every electronic eye, in every identification card, in every banner, in every cookie, has put its filthy finger on our activities. It is up to us to defend knowledge and freedom, using our ingenuity and art.

(*) I ask myself why the religious establishment have not yet charged against SETI. A possible answer is that such matters have not entered the conceptual horizon of the clergypersons. Anyway, they do not know what they are missing...It would be the greatest opportunity for mystification appeared in the last 2000 years. Someday they will discover this "market".

Ummm.... actually, the government by and large, and especially the defense/intelligence communities, don't give a rat's a** about SETI. The general view, for those who even know what it is, appears to be that it's an easy cost-cutting target. That's why NASA support is so minimal.

No, I will not get into a debate on spending priorities. I'm just pointing out that not only is most of the government, at least here in the U.S., not trying to take SETI over, it really doesn't even think about it very much.

I suppose if some signals were found, then they would become interested, primarily to attempt to exploit any new technology which might be gleaned.

Somebody's been watching too much X-Files, methinks.

Doesn't it tell you something about those who take the X-Files approach to life that the movie's motto was "Fight the Future"?

Me, I'd rather fight for the future.

It's a mistake to think that the State is never interested in certain affairs. Note that my post intends to approach a delicate subject. It's not easy to talk about SETI without being taken as a lunatic..

Professor Tough is a well reasoned person. He wouldn't open this debate if he didn't have a hint of evidence (I guess that the Canadian academic establishment is to be taken seriously).

I personally prefer the benefit of doubt. No government is to be trusted when the subject is *power*. And I, a hard-core skeptical, am really far from being a conspiracy theorist.

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Argos on 2002-07-18 15:07, to declare that he does not give a dam for X-Files, a boring TV series. Argos also wants to declare that, inspite of being a defender of democracy, he never trusts any government, even if the price to pay is to be called a paranoid.]</font>

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Argos on 2002-07-18 15:48 ]</font>

You're right. That's why it's been quite a long time since SETI ceased to run on public support.

The fact is that the private initiative is still supporting projects of the kind. And when they come up with some finding it will be interesting to see what happens. Will the governments behave themselves?

But they (the governments) should give. And they will give. I'm not talking specifically about any government. They work almost the same way in the western world.

The SETI question will enter the scope of concern of governments as soon as some group announces some finding in the reasearches being carried out right now. It would be surprising if it happened in a different way.

Are not governments worried about the power of the innocent Internet? Aren't they worried (with reason) about private researches on nuclear technology? With the morality of genetic research? Why things would be different with the SETI? Do we have the slightest idea of the wonders to be acquired with communication exchange with other forms of life? Will the governments let the people stroll around carrying precious knowledge in their suitcase? Will free speech or the rules of intellectual property prevail? It is not so simple.

We should not have SETI as crackpots thing. The worries of Dr. Tough are legitimate and mindful.




<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Argos on 2002-07-18 16:44 ]</font>