Do you think it is wise to send signals into space?

Question

there is some astronomer/science fiction writer that said recently it might not be such a good idea sending off our knowledge into space given the silence we have encountered so far and the nature of biological organisms to generally not show altruism .we also do not know what is out there.
I mean it might be exciting but is not a nice thing at all. Your thoughts please.

I mean sending signals deliberately using very powerfull transmitters,e.g sending all our encyclopedia knowledge into space,i dont mean inadvertent weaker radio and tv signals but signals "meant" for extraterrestrials.do you think its a good idea?

Answer 1

Given the distances, and probability of any sentients of our own caliber or higher, its no wonder we've only got silence so far. Things are really far away. You should read up on the Drake equation. As for the risk of attracting menacing warmonger aliens...we're too late to recall our signals, so we'll have to take our chances.

Answer 2

Let us consider the problems. The signal will decrease inverse as the square of the distance. We will use a directional beam that is possible no more that 2 deg wide. The earth rotates 15 deg per hour and that means that signal would sweep across a world so far away in less than a minute. Will they be looking on the right frequency?? by the time they recheck their equipment the signal will be gone. Due to the great distance it is doubtful that it will more than 6 dB above the noise. Like looking for a flee in a sand pile the size of the pyramids.

Answer 3

Nobody is deliberately sending signals on a regular basis. Sometimes someone will do a ceremonial broadcast of a few minutes or something but there is no program trying to get that attention of aliens on a regular basis. But there is plenty of accidental signals that regularly make it to space, especially air defense radar which sends powerful and focused beams of radio energy out from Earth all the time.

Answer 4

The chances of an intelligent civilization anywhere near us are ridiculously small. Chances are not good that anyone is recieving these signals. Also, you really can't stop broadcast signals from going into space.

Answer 5

Maybe they didn't get it yet, it would take millions of light years for it to reach them, they probably didn't even get the signal yet. It will be a long time, so don't worry. Nothing will probably happen in your lifetime anyway. But I think that it is a good and interesting idea.

Answer 6

It is already too late. We have been "sending" signals ever since we invented the radio (and maybe a bit before, as we were experimenting with electromagnetic waves).

So, our signals are already on their way in all directions.

Answer 7

i think we sent a sign from Aercibo to M13 it is approximately 25,000 mild years from earth. fortuitously, or regrettably, M13 will in no way be interior a similar area of the sky 25,000 years from now and the sign is a slender beam, the transmission will omit it thoroughly. Your fears is probably not unfounded. If any extraterrestrials are as aggressive as people have been while the recent worldwide became got here across, we will not fare o.k..

Answer 8

if we're sending semi-technical information to beings not as advanced as us then we'll be one step ahead of then technology (weapon) wise so that doesn't matter.

...and if we're sending it to beings more advanced than us they already know it and if they're that advanced and near enough to get our radio signals, then they already know we're here anyways.

Answer 9

nothing to worry about,even if anyone picked up our signals they would come by,damnnnnnn,look at the mess of the place.

Answer 10

I think it's a waste of time. Wise or unwise is irrelevant.