Cosmic Evolution, Astrobiology, and the Societal Impact of Finding Extraterrestrial Intelligence
Schedule
Thu Nov 07 2024 at 07:00 pm to 08:00 pm
UTC-06:00Location
Linda Hall Library | Roeland Park, KS
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REGISTER HERE TO ATTEND IN PERSON: https://events.lindahall.org/cosmicevolution/LHLFacebookThe search for life beyond Earth must be placed in the context of 13.8 billion years of cosmic evolution. In this lecture, former NASA Chief Historian Steven J. Dick will give a brief overview of astrobiology, which encompasses planetary science, the search for exoplanets, origins of life, and the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence. He then will review the possible discovery scenarios, whether microbial or intelligent, near (UFOs!) or far (radio signals), biological or postbiological (AI!).
Finally, he will discuss the possible impacts on society, which very much depend on the mode of discovery. These include theological, philosophical and ethical impacts. How should we interact with extraterrestrials? Should we message ET and should we reply to ET? If so who speaks for Earth? Human destiny is very different if we live in a biological universe full of life, a postbiological universe, or a universe in which we are alone.
VIRTUAL ATTENDANCE OPTION: https://events.lindahall.org/cosmicevolutionvirtual/LHLFacebook
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Where is it happening?
Linda Hall Library, 5109 Cherry St,Kansas City,MO,United States, Roeland ParkEvent Location & Nearby Stays:
