Debate 3, TU April 29, last chance to serve on panel!!
Panel members:
Will
Cherish
Mario
Trevor
Nikita
CONTACT?
Search
and implications for detections of alien civilization(s)
Audience: come prepared with questions.
Suggested Topics:
1. Where are they and should we be
searching for them? The
Fermi paradox: if the Universe is teeming with life, as some would have
it, Fermi asked in the 50s, then where is everyone? Surely, some
civilizations would have advanced far more than we have by now so why
are they not here?
What do you think? Can you make a case for why they would not be here?
Is interstellar travel simply too difficult? Are they not interested?
Or are they here and we don't know it? Make your case. Or do they not
exist at all?
2. Contact: what are
implications if we somehow establish "contact" with alien civilizations,
in the form of receiving non-natural radio messages or other
irrefutable evidence of alien presence. What do you think would be the
implications for our society, e.g. in terms of religion, society, war
and peace, unification of nations?
3. Never: The zero chance we
will ever establish contact. Based on what we have learned in
this course or what I have learned elsewhere, the chances of ever
establishing "Contact" are completely insignificant. If so, argue about
the implications for us: will we then do be forever bound to this
Earth? What will happen when the Sun evolves and Earth becomes
un-inhabitable?
Panel members will prepare a half-to-one page statement on one or two
of these
issues that they will read to the audience to stimulate discussion of
these topics. Audience members will take part in the discussion by
asking questions and advocating their views.
Instructor will moderate discussion and try to avoid the aliens from
dominating the debate.