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Chapter 28: Problem 19

The late, great science-fiction editor John W. Campbell exhorted his authors to write stories about organisms that think as well as humans, but not like humans. Discuss the possibility that an intelligent being from another world might be so alien in its thought processes that we could not communicate with it.

Short Answer

Expert verified
Given the immense potential for variation in thought processes and communication methods, it's entirely possible that we might find it extremely challenging to communicate with intelligent alien beings. The barriers could range from sensory perception to cognitive functioning. However, with efforts in understanding and developing adaptive communication methods, we might be able to establish basic communication.

Step by step solution

01

Define Human Communication Processes

Firstly, consider how humans think and communicate. This includes verbal and non-verbal language, symbols, signs, and emotions. Reflect on the factors influencing these processes, like environment, culture, and individual experiences.
02

Contemplate Possible Alien Thought Processes

Now, think about how an intelligent beings from another world might process information and communicate. Consider influences that their environment or physiology might have. Their communication methods could be vastly different, not based on speech or sight, but other senses that humans might not possess.
03

Analyzing Communication Barriers

Examine the potential barriers in communication between humans and these hypothetical alien beings. This could include differences in sensory perception, cognitive capabilities, cultural context, or even differences in the perception of time and space.
04

Discuss Potential Methods to Overcome Barriers

Finally, think about how we might be able to overcome these barriers and establish a basic form of communication. This could include learning new sensory skills, creating universal symbols, or developing new technologies that could facilitate interaction.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Use the Starry Night Enthusiast \({ }^{\text {TM }}\) program to examine the planet Mars. Open the Favourites pane and double-click on Solar System > Mars to view this planet from about \(6800 \mathrm{~km}\) above its surface. (Click on View > Feet to remove the astronaut's spacesuit from the view.) You can zoom in or out on Mars using the buttons in the Zoom section at the right of the toolbar. You can rotate Mars by placing the mouse cursor over the image and moving the mouse while holding down the mouse button. (On a two-button mouse, hold down the left mouse button.) Rotate Mars and zoom in and out to familiarize yourself with the different surface features. Based on what you observe, where on the Martian surface would you choose to land a spacecraft to search for the presence of life? Explain how you made your choice.

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It has been suggested that extraterrestrial civilizations would choose to communicate at a wavelength of \(21 \mathrm{~cm}\). Hydrogen atoms in interstellar space naturally emit at this wavelength, so astronomers studying the distribution of hydrogen around the Galaxy would already have their radio telescopes tuned to receive extraterrestrial signals. (a) Calculate the frequency of this radiation in megahertz. Is this inside or outside the water hole? (b) Discuss the merits of this suggestion.

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