Thank you Neil! ETT is not just a plausible scenario of how a very near future encounter might proceed- it as also looks at epistemic issues, philosophy of mind, and decision theory. Maybe a little of how ethics can be distorted in times of high stress. A lot to pack in an essay originally intended to be one installment. I don't want to provide any spoilers but I don't think readers of the two installments will be disappointed with the internal logic of the account, whether or not it concludes in a trite Hollywood ending.
Thank you, Laura! You might look at my remarks to Neil's prior comment where I explain some of my aims, at this point only half-fulfilled, in writing ETT. To make the strongest argument for my proposition I had to fashion the most plausible scenario. To do that I didn't use possible science but actual technology already being employed today. The space missions and probes are real ones. The space agencies are real ones. Americans often think of space exploration in terms of NASA, but ESA and JAXA are just two- the Iranians, Indians, Chinese, Russians, and many many others are involved. Everybody has space ambitions it seems. We also think of space discoveries as being governmental affairs but amateurs are often involved and this small army with their nighttime observations have made notable discoveries. ETT relies on one piece of vital serendipity- that the quadrant from which the several fleets (there may be more coming) arrived was under probably brief observation and the observer likely as not an amateur noticed.something occulting background stars. I myself am a space buff of sorts and have a modestly large library of technical space science books, so I minimized visits to Google and Wikipedia, valuable as those info sources can be. It's all very real and it's all very possible. I'm ambiguous about that, but that's the point of ETT. The ambiguity implicit in dealing with other minds. Even one as familiar as ones own...
Thanks for this in depth response to my comment. I was reminded recently about the contributions of amateur astronomers when I read Edwin Way Teale’s book (a beloved, dusty copy) Autumn Across America, from his quartet on the seasons (oh how things have changed!). He and his wife Nelly stopped in to visit an amateur astronomer and successful comet discoverer in the mid- west, who had built a small observatory by hand from car parts and such.
Interesting ideas and looking forward to Part II!
Thank you Neil! ETT is not just a plausible scenario of how a very near future encounter might proceed- it as also looks at epistemic issues, philosophy of mind, and decision theory. Maybe a little of how ethics can be distorted in times of high stress. A lot to pack in an essay originally intended to be one installment. I don't want to provide any spoilers but I don't think readers of the two installments will be disappointed with the internal logic of the account, whether or not it concludes in a trite Hollywood ending.
What an intriguing situation you pose and quite a cliffhanger, Michael!
Thank you, Laura! You might look at my remarks to Neil's prior comment where I explain some of my aims, at this point only half-fulfilled, in writing ETT. To make the strongest argument for my proposition I had to fashion the most plausible scenario. To do that I didn't use possible science but actual technology already being employed today. The space missions and probes are real ones. The space agencies are real ones. Americans often think of space exploration in terms of NASA, but ESA and JAXA are just two- the Iranians, Indians, Chinese, Russians, and many many others are involved. Everybody has space ambitions it seems. We also think of space discoveries as being governmental affairs but amateurs are often involved and this small army with their nighttime observations have made notable discoveries. ETT relies on one piece of vital serendipity- that the quadrant from which the several fleets (there may be more coming) arrived was under probably brief observation and the observer likely as not an amateur noticed.something occulting background stars. I myself am a space buff of sorts and have a modestly large library of technical space science books, so I minimized visits to Google and Wikipedia, valuable as those info sources can be. It's all very real and it's all very possible. I'm ambiguous about that, but that's the point of ETT. The ambiguity implicit in dealing with other minds. Even one as familiar as ones own...
Thanks for this in depth response to my comment. I was reminded recently about the contributions of amateur astronomers when I read Edwin Way Teale’s book (a beloved, dusty copy) Autumn Across America, from his quartet on the seasons (oh how things have changed!). He and his wife Nelly stopped in to visit an amateur astronomer and successful comet discoverer in the mid- west, who had built a small observatory by hand from car parts and such.
Happy new year, Michael. Write on!
Thank you! I love Teale's books also! ETT II will probably go out today as soon as I tidy it up some. Cliff hangers require speedy follow-ups!