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cover of episode How to talk to aliens

How to talk to aliens

2025/3/26
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Unexplainable
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The episode starts by discussing hypothetical messages to aliens, then explores early attempts at interstellar communication, such as the Arecibo message and the Voyager Golden Records. The limitations and symbolic nature of these messages are examined.
  • The Arecibo message, sent in 1974, was a PR stunt demonstrating technological capabilities, not a serious attempt at communication.
  • The Voyager Golden Records, launched in 1977, contained images, sounds, and greetings in various languages, but lacked instructions for playback.
  • Early attempts focused on symbolic representations of human life and scientific principles, rather than direct attempts at conversation.

Shownotes Transcript

Scientists have been searching for aliens for decades. But if we ever do get a signal someday, how will we communicate back? And will anyone out there be able to understand us?

Guests: Doug Vakoch), president of METI, and Sheri Wells-Jensen), linguist at Bowling Green State University

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