Debate 3, Th Dec 3, last chance to serve on panel!!

Panel members:

Meagan Simons

Ernesto Gutierrez

Brandon Coppedge

Monica Peña

Ian Justice

Andrea Ramirez

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 you may have learned elsewhere, you may argue that the chances of ever establishing "Contact" are essentially negligible. If so, argue about the implications for us: e.g. will we then do be forever bound to this Earth and what does this imply about our long-term future?

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.