Honorary research fellow Dr. John Elliott shared how science fiction gives so much attention to the possible effects that human society would experience should the discovery and encounter with extraterrestrial life occur. He expressed that it is necessary to go beyond such thinking. It is important to use expertise not just to evaluate evidence but also to think about how humans should respond to such a phenomenon. According to Dr. Elliott, this is the time to do this.
SciTechDaily notes Dr. Elliott's sentiments that assessing signals of presupposed extraterrestrial existences for language structures and attached meanings is a process that is quite intricate and time-consuming. He mentions, however, that as this is done, it also expands expertise in learning about extraterrestrials.
Consequences of Extraterrestrial Discovery
The Post-Detection Hub of SETI (Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence) will have to close the gaps in policy and think about responsible science communication within an era of social media. According to the University of St. Andrews, this specific hub will serve as the coordinating center for global efforts. It will bring together different specialties across humanities and science to lay out protocols, assessments, procedures, and treaties to enable humanity to respond responsibly.
Minimal focus has been granted to this specific topic. A particular exception to this is the Royal Society that held a meeting in 2010 to discuss how extraterrestrial life would impact science and society scientifically. After this, the director of UNOOSA (United Nations Office of Outer Space Affairs) had to reconcile and clarify the circulating news about being the alien ambassador.
While the United Nations now has entities and procedures to deal with the threats earth would face if it gets hit by asteroids, there are no similar stances of response in case authorities pick up extraterrestrial signals.
Currently, the only protocols in place are the ones that the SETI came up with in 1989 that, later on got revised last 2010. These entirely focus on scientific conduct on a general scale. They lack usefulness in practically handling the investigation, potential evidence, verification of extraterrestrial detections, analysis after detection, and probable response.
The Post-Detection Hub of SETI now provides a stable home for the development coordination of an extensive framework. It serves as an area where SETI members, experts in policy, and other communities can draw together and work on certain issues, such as deciphering messages, data analytics, protocol developments, and space law.
Humanity Cannot Lack in Preparations to Meet Extraterrestrial Life
Dr. Elliott also notes how humanity cannot be sure if it will ever receive messages from extraterrestrial intelligence. It is unsure when this will take place. However, he notes that humanity must be politically, socially, and scientifically prepared for this momentous event that may become real at any time.
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