/begin/

             INTERVIEW PROCEDURE FOR DR. FRANK DRAKE
                   CONDUCTED JANUARY 26, 2001


Because of time restraints, it was necessary to choose only the most
relevant questions, edit them, and in some cases combine two or more
closely related questions into one. However, everyone who responded is
represented by at least one question on the list. The initials of the
person(s) who asked the question is at the end of each question.

Here's how we plan to conduct the interview.

We will welcome Dr. Drake, and then read the topics we plan to discuss
(he has the same list enclosed), and then introduce the student who
asked the question in the order that they appear on the list.

At that point, you will read your question (remember to hit your mic
button FIRST) so Dr. Drake can see you and hear you. In order to get
through as many questions as possible, we ask that you keep your
follow-up questions to the end (unless Dr. Drake asks you to clarify
or elaborate on your question).

If we get through our list before the end of the hour, we'll open up
the interview for follow-up questions from the class.

Walid Dmachkie
Laura Yingling
Brock Pronko

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

             INTERVIEW QUESTIONS FOR DR. FRANK DRAKE
                   CONDUCTED JANUARY 26, 2001


PERSONAL

Q. How do you keep hope, or rather, how do you make a task that
   requires so much patience and faith interesting and seem
   worthwhile?  (MH)

Q. Were the reactions of different sectors of society to your original
   theories radically different? Was the scientific community
   supportive or did they mock you, how did the press react, what was
   the public's reaction? (JC)

Q. How do you convince skeptics of the validity of your work? (MH)

Q. What were some of your motivations behind creating Project Ozma in
   1960, humanity's first attempt to detect interstellar radio
   transmissions? (LC)


SETI

Q. What is the evidence that leads astronomers to believe in and keep
   searching for other life in the universe?  (LC)

Q. Peter Ward and Donald Brownlee in their book Rare Earth argue that
   complex life is uncommon in the universe. They site many special
   conditions for life on Earth that are unlikely to be duplicated
   elsewhere.  How do you respond to the notion that complex life is
   uncommon in the universe? And wouldn't that make contacting ETs a
   near impossible task? (BP)

Q. In the search for extraterrestrial life, how do you figure that
   other forms of intelligence will use radio signals to communicate
   with us?  And what sparks this confidence in this whole "Life
   reaching out for life" notion (that they are as interested in
   searching for us and we are for them)? (LC)

Q. The Planetary Society is helping fund a new Optical SETI Telescope
   that is designed to scan the sky for pulsed laser signals. What do
   you think of this project, and the possibility that ETs may be
   trying to communicate via laser signals rather than radio signals?
   (BP)

Q. Within a decade, radio interference from terrestrial sources will
   grow significantly, compromising our ability to detect weak
   signals.  Given this situation, how will SETI continue to operate
   in the 21st century? (BP) Will SETI move off-world and become
   mobile? (NT)


ETI

Q. In the event that extraterrestrial signal is found, what would be
   the next step after that?  (JB)

Q. If we find an extraterrestrial signal, what risks or benefits could
   result from contacting an ETI? (LY)

Q. How do we know that during the technological lifetime of a
   civilization that they want to be contacted, perhaps they are
   isolationists? Conversely, what makes us think that other species
   will be benevolent if they do detect us and are capable of
   traveling to Earth? (BP)


DRAKE EQUATION

Q. What do you think are the right numbers for the factors in your
   equation?  And why? (JC)

Q. To some scientists and non-scientists, the Drake Equation seems to
   be very hypothetical.  It could be suggested that there are many
   other factors, for example, the Earth having a comparatively large
   moon, to be taken into consideration, and factored into the Drake
   Equation. Comment? (WD)


TECHNICAL

Assume that we have achieved the ability to utilize the raw materials
and energy in space, as well as travel cheaply, quickly, and easily.

Q. Would it be possible to build an interferometer (optical or radio)
   with diameters of thousands of kilometers? (SG)

Q. What are the theoretical limits to our ability to observe other
   solar systems if we can build optical and radio interferometers of
   any size and in any location including in space? (SG)


SCIENCE FICTION

Q. What are your takes on science fiction movies like "Contact," and
   "ET," just to name a few, that probe the notion of life existing
   outside Earth?  Are these good publicity for the cause, or are they
   misleading in your opinion?  And do you have a favorite space
   movie, or TV show? (LC)


OPTIONAL 

Q. What are your feelings on Space Colonization?  (LC)

Q. I believe the next time that the Earth and Mars are closest to each
   other is in the year 2013, what are the chances of the United
   States, or any country for that matter, launching a manned
   expedition to Mars?  What kind of funding will be necessary if we
   are to pursue this? (CH)

Q. In recent years SETI has seen increased popularity and respect from
   the public including SETI@HOME. What role, if any, has the media
   played in this success? (MH)

/end/