🚀 go-pugleaf

In reponse to Tim Roberts...

This is no flame...Look up the "Drake Equation" in a reference book.  This
is a nifty little equation that calculates the number of civilizations we
may "hear" while looking for them.  One variable within the equation
is the amount of time a civilization is at or around our technology level
and therefore would be radiating messages (we sent one out into space in
the '70s(?) from Puerto Rico) in such a way that our technology would be
able to "hear" and perhaps comprehend.  The only catch is that any
variable in the equation that turns out to be zero makes for a pretty
futile search. :-)  Don't tell Congresspersons that!!!

Only partially related to you question is a quote from the "Calvin & Hobbes"
comic strip that has Calvin Saying, "Sometimes I think that the surest sign
that intelligent life exists in the universe is that none of it has tried to
contact us."  :-)

One final note:  You stated that LOTS of money was being spent on SETI. 
Remember, this is space stuff, LOTS doesn't get combined with the word
money until you are above $100,000,000 per year  (a billion here, a 
billion there and pretty soon your talking about real money...)  The SETI
numbers are $100,000,000 over the ten year life of the program.  

[I KNOW I'm going to get flamed on that last paragraph....]

Grant Anderson
Ganderson@jedi.decnet.lockheed.com