Comments on: The UFOs are back… on network TV http://noisyastronomer.com/2008/09/17/the-ufos-are-back-on-network-tv/ Wed, 25 Jan 2012 18:33:10 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Nicole http://noisyastronomer.com/2008/09/17/the-ufos-are-back-on-network-tv/#comment-95 Nicole Fri, 19 Sep 2008 14:38:00 +0000 http://astronoise.wordpress.com/2008/09/17/the-ufos-are-back-on-network-tv/#comment-95 Hmm... I think SETI follows the scientific method, so maybe it is a science. I have trouble calling it that when there is no evidence of what they are looking for to date, whereas we have evidence of the workings of particle physics with colliders smaller than the LHC. <br/><br/>It's hard to make a verifiable prediction with SETI, since not finding a signal doesn't show that there is no intelligent life, there can always be a reason why we don't see a civilization that is out there. SETI combines so many things in the sciences and social sciences: astronomy, biology, psychology, sociology, etc... it's really interdisciplinary when you get right into it. Hmm… I think SETI follows the scientific method, so maybe it is a science. I have trouble calling it that when there is no evidence of what they are looking for to date, whereas we have evidence of the workings of particle physics with colliders smaller than the LHC.

It’s hard to make a verifiable prediction with SETI, since not finding a signal doesn’t show that there is no intelligent life, there can always be a reason why we don’t see a civilization that is out there. SETI combines so many things in the sciences and social sciences: astronomy, biology, psychology, sociology, etc… it’s really interdisciplinary when you get right into it.

]]> By: becky ws http://noisyastronomer.com/2008/09/17/the-ufos-are-back-on-network-tv/#comment-94 becky ws Fri, 19 Sep 2008 14:22:00 +0000 http://astronoise.wordpress.com/2008/09/17/the-ufos-are-back-on-network-tv/#comment-94 Hi, sounds like a disappointing show.<br/><br/>Interested as to why you would say that SETI can't really be called 'science' even though it has a scientific approach? What's the difference? <br/>I agree that it is potentially the most important research ever, and certainly as important as research currently being done at the LHC, which the media trumpets as the most significant experiment in history... and it sure as hell cost a lot more than SETI, and may find nothing at all. Hmmm, they start to sound familiar!<br/>If people can spend billions on looking for the reason stuff has mass, then why not spend a bit more on looking for whether we really are alone or not? To me that is actually more exciting. Hi, sounds like a disappointing show.

Interested as to why you would say that SETI can’t really be called ‘science’ even though it has a scientific approach? What’s the difference?
I agree that it is potentially the most important research ever, and certainly as important as research currently being done at the LHC, which the media trumpets as the most significant experiment in history… and it sure as hell cost a lot more than SETI, and may find nothing at all. Hmmm, they start to sound familiar!
If people can spend billions on looking for the reason stuff has mass, then why not spend a bit more on looking for whether we really are alone or not? To me that is actually more exciting.

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