'Contact' and The Search for Extraterrestrial Life: An Epic Tech's Message Special
Tech's Message25 Des 2017

'Contact' and The Search for Extraterrestrial Life: An Epic Tech's Message Special

For this special science, astronomy and sci-fi themed episode of Tech's Message, we're joined by three very knowledgeable guests to discuss the search for extraterrestrial intelligence, interplanetary travel, and the science behind science fiction, based on the themes raised in Carl Sagan's book and film Contact:

Dr Pamela Gay: Astrophysicist and Director of Technology and Citizen Science at the Astronomical Society of the Pacific, Director of CosmoQuest and co-host of science podcast Astronomy Cast. On Twitter at @starstryder.

Veronica Belmont: Sci-fi expert and Product Manager at Growbot.io., host of Mozilla's IRL podcast and science fiction and fantasy-themed book club Sword & Laser. On Twitter at @Veronica.

Tom Merritt: Sci-fi expert and author, host of Sword & Laser as well as the host of Daily Tech News Show. On Twitter at @acedtect.


Contact

In a nutshell, the story of Contact focussed on a scientist named Dr Ellie Arroway, working within the SETI facility at the Arecibo Observatory, who discovers a mysterious signal apparently coming from the star system Vega. It turns out the signal is being received as a repeating set of pulses that follows an ascending pattern of prime numbers - 2 pulses, then 3, then 5, 7, 11, and so on. Within the signal was an encoded message, which ultimately translated into being schematics for an inter-stellar transport vessel.

The film and the book differ on a few points but huge parts of both book and film detail the political, religious, financial, personal and existential issues surrounding first contact, and we'll discuss some of those themes across this 45-minute special episode.

Along with many other topics, we discuss:





  • Is there any consensus in the scientific community about what form any first contact might take, and is Sagan's idea of a prime number sequence containing encoded schematics a reasonable theory?
  • What do you think would make a good candidate for being the first to speak to extraterrestrial life?
  • What other books, films or TV shows do you think do a good job at dealing with the topic of humans meeting extraterrestrials?
  • We've not had any proof yet that we're anything other than alone, but what exciting theories have been discussed?
  • Do we send signals into space to try and make deliberate contact?
  • Could we even build the machine described in Contact?
  • The science behind The Martian, Star Trek, The Sparrow, Arrival, Red Dwarf and more.
  • Let's assume Earth is contacted over the next few years in a way that makes it irrefutable that we're not alone in the universe. How might it play out and did Sagan's depiction seem realistic?
  • Where might the next big discovery in cosmology come from and what might it be to do with?
  • Bots and artificial intelligence, how good appearances of this tech in sci-fi as well as potential future applications of these systems could be seen in interstellar communication and translation

Watch or buy Contact from iTunes or Amazon or other providers.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episoder(335)

Hard Disks: TM 324 Short Version

Hard Disks: TM 324 Short Version

This week we are talking over our past, present and future relationships with the hard disk. Andrew Lanxon from CNET joins for this one and in the extended version he brings you what he learned during a reporting trip to a tiny Scottish island that enjoys energy independence.Here are some links to various things we discussed in the show:Andy’s Eigg feature in CNET (check the embedded video) https://www.cnet.com/home/energy-and-utilities/this-stunning-remote-island-took-control-of-its-energy-destiny-i-got-a-first-hand-look/Acorn magazine https://archive.org/details/AcornUser105-Apr91/page/n94/mode/1upIBM hard disk history https://www.ibm.com/history/ramacDeath if the disk https://www.pcgamer.com/hard-drives-predicted-to-be-history-after-2028/ Seagate hikes drive prices https://www.theregister.com/2024/04/23/seagate_hdd_prices/Seagate 32TB drive https://www.seagate.com/gb/en/products/enterprise-drives/exos-x/x-mozaic/2007 in tech https://www.computerhistory.org/timeline/2007/ Eigg history https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/EiggTECH’S MESSAGE IS:Hosts: Nate Lanxon, Ian MorrisProduction and Editing: Nate LanxonMusic: Audio Network & Pond5Certain Artwork Elements Designed By: macrovector / FreepikPublisher (Free Version): AcastCopyright © Nate Lanxon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

22 Sep 202440min

Webcams: TM 323 Short Version

Webcams: TM 323 Short Version

Welcome back to Tech's Message! This week, in our inaugural episode of the new Tech's Message era, we're discussing the history of webcams. For Patrons, we also discuss Apple's recent announcements and Ian's decision to invest some serious cash in one of the products.Here are some links to various things we discussed in the show:Webcams look like balls: https://www.reddit.com/r/vintagecomputing/comments/18lzalf/not_sure_if_1999_counts_as_vintage_already/ Intel Easy PC Web Cam: https://www.reddit.com/r/nostalgia/comments/mf0zea/first_webcam_i_purchased_early_2000sWebcam reviews and prices from CNET circa 2000: https://web.archive.org/web/20000411021102/http://cnet.com/hardware/search/results/0,10238,0-1085-402-0-1,00.html?tag=st.co.1078.dir.1085-402-0Wirecutter guide to modern webcams: https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/the-best-webcams/Computer Chronicles webcam episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4mxg4pBgIwThe greatest defunct Web sites and dotcom disasters: https://web.archive.org/web/20080607211819/http://crave.cnet.co.uk/0%2C39029477%2C49296926-2%2C00.htmApple VideoPhone: https://www.reddit.com/r/VintageApple/comments/1due7sk/apple_videophone_video_conferencing_1996_style/#lightboxThe complete, ad-free episode is available via Patreon subscription and includes our weekly news discussion, extended segments, outtakes and more. Become a supporter to unlock bonus content and listen live — join our Patreon.Full show notes, subscription options and more available at https://www.uktechshow.com.TECH’S MESSAGE IS:Hosts: Nate Lanxon, Ian MorrisProduction and Editing: Nate LanxonMusic: Audio Network & Pond5Certain Artwork Elements Designed By: macrovector / FreepikPublisher (Free Version): AcastCopyright © Nate LanxonAds (on free version) are not endorsements, nor controlled by Tech’s Message. Read Nate’s ad policy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

15 Sep 202440min

That Wasn't Even Our Final Form

That Wasn't Even Our Final Form

Ian and I took nine months off from podcasting, but rest quite assured: it wasn't in order for him to gestate and pass our baby. In this bonus episode, I'll explain the actual reason for our absence and our plan for a new era of Tech's Message, which begins on this very day -- look out for episode 323 in your feed shortly!We're really grateful to everyone who's kept our feed in their podcatchers and stuck with their Patreon membership until we were ready to return. We've got some cool plans for the show and we'll welcome your feedback.Onwards!Nate & Ian Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

15 Sep 202416min

The Haribo of Crime Solutions: TM 322 Short Version

The Haribo of Crime Solutions: TM 322 Short Version

This week on Tech’s Message:AI machine cannot be called an inventor, rules UK courthttps://www.ft.com/content/7bccf980-9eaf-40d9-92b6-ab3ffb43c98dhttps://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5ff6c264d3bf7f65d42209f9/consolidated-patents-act-1977.pdf https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-67772177Police to be able to run face recognition searches on 50m driving licence holdershttps://www.theguardian.com/technology/2023/dec/20/police-to-be-able-to-run-face-recognition-searches-on-50m-driving-licence-holders https://www.technologyreview.com/2021/04/14/1022676/robert-williams-facial-recognition-lawsuit-aclu-detroit-police/The extended, ad-free version available via Patreon subscription includes extended sections, outtakes, as well as additional discussions about:Ministry of Justice plan to destroy historical wills is ‘insane’, say expertshttps://www.theguardian.com/society/2023/dec/18/ministry-of-justice-plan-to-destroy-historical-wills-is-insane-say-expertsGUESS THE HO HO HOLE!Become a supporter to unlock bonus content and listen live — join our Patreon.Full show notes, subscription options and more available at https://www.uktechshow.com.TECH’S MESSAGE IS:Hosts: Nate Lanxon, Ian MorrisProduction and Editing: Nate LanxonMusic: Audio Network & Pond5Certain Artwork Elements Designed By: macrovector / FreepikPublisher (Free Version): AcastCopyright © Nate LanxonAds (on free version) are not endorsements, nor controlled by Tech’s Message. Read Nate’s ad policy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

25 Des 202329min

The News About Newsgroups: TM 321 Short Version

The News About Newsgroups: TM 321 Short Version

This week on Tech’s Message:Bedfordshire Police use AI to save hours on admin dutieshttps://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cambridgeshire-67680698https://docdefender.nethttps://rivengroup.comhttps://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/14734000/officersGoogle Groups losing Usenet integrationhttps://www.theverge.com/2023/12/14/24002220/google-groups-is-about-to-drop-support-for-posting-to-or-browsing-usenethttps://archive.org/details/usenetThe extended, ad-free version available via Patreon subscription includes extended sections, outtakes, as well as additional discussions about:On The Death of E3https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2023/12/how-the-internet-killed-e3/Become a supporter to unlock bonus content and listen live — join our Patreon.Full show notes, subscription options and more available at https://www.uktechshow.com.TECH’S MESSAGE IS:Hosts: Nate Lanxon, Ian MorrisProduction and Editing: Nate LanxonMusic: Audio Network & Pond5Certain Artwork Elements Designed By: macrovector / FreepikPublisher (Free Version): AcastCopyright © Nate LanxonAds (on free version) are not endorsements, nor controlled by Tech’s Message. Read Nate’s ad policy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

17 Des 202328min

Scan Face For Smut: TM 320 Short Version

Scan Face For Smut: TM 320 Short Version

This week on Tech’s Message:Mobile phones: Firms face £3bn legal claim for overcharginghttps://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-67649539Unproven AI face scans may estimate age for porn access in UKhttps://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2023/12/unproven-ai-face-scans-may-estimate-age-for-access-in-uk/https://www.theregister.com/2023/12/05/uk_age_verifcation_proposals/ The extended, ad-free version available via Patreon subscription includes extended sections, outtakes, as well as additional discussions about:Laptop Vs. DesktopIn which Nate talks about going from using a desktop (Mac Studio) to a laptop (new MacBook).Become a supporter to unlock bonus content and listen live — join our Patreon.Full show notes, subscription options and more available at https://www.uktechshow.com.TECH’S MESSAGE IS:Hosts: Nate Lanxon, Ian MorrisProduction and Editing: Nate LanxonMusic: Audio Network & Pond5Certain Artwork Elements Designed By: macrovector / FreepikPublisher (Free Version): AcastCopyright © Nate LanxonAds (on free version) are not endorsements, nor controlled by Tech’s Message. Read Nate’s ad policy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

11 Des 202330min

In Aperture Purchases: TM 319 Short Version

In Aperture Purchases: TM 319 Short Version

This week on Tech’s Message:We're joined by CNET's Andrew Lanxon -- find his photography YouTube channel here.Sony’s getting into the in-camera micropayments gamehttps://pressroom.pixelshift.studio/sony-electronics-announces-custom-gridline-license-available-for-alpha-camera-bodieshttps://pro.sony/ue_US/digital-imaging/custom-gridlineRegard: https://www.polygon.com/23399591/elder-scrolls-4-oblivion-horse-armor-video-game-cosmeticsRegard also: https://avlgear.com/product/panasonic-lumix-dmw-sfu2-s1-filmmaker-upgrade-software-key-download-only/Evernote's changes and the future of our note-takinghttps://www.engadget.com/evernote-is-reportedly-testing-a-severely-restricted-plan-for-free-users-184607336.html?src=rss The extended, ad-free version available via Patreon subscription includes extended sections, outtakes, as well as additional discussions about:ChatGPT is one year old. Here’s how it changed the tech world.https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2023/11/chatgpt-was-the-spark-that-lit-the-fire-under-generative-ai-one-year-ago-today/Become a supporter to unlock bonus content and listen live — join our Patreon.Full show notes, subscription options and more available at https://www.uktechshow.com.TECH’S MESSAGE IS:Hosts: Nate Lanxon, Ian MorrisProduction and Editing: Nate LanxonMusic: Audio Network & Pond5Certain Artwork Elements Designed By: macrovector / FreepikPublisher (Free Version): AcastCopyright © Nate LanxonAds (on free version) are not endorsements, nor controlled by Tech’s Message. Read Nate’s ad policy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

3 Des 202335min

Quids Game: TM 318 Short Version

Quids Game: TM 318 Short Version

This week on Tech’s Message:Squid Game Contestants Considering Lawsuit Over Reality Show Injurieshttps://gizmodo.com/squid-game-the-challenge-contestant-possible-lawsuit-1851047311 UK's cookie crumble: Data watchdog serves up tougher recipe for consent bannershttps://www.theregister.com/2023/11/22/uk_ico_cookie_action/Keep or cancel Freeview? The argumentshttps://rxtvinfo.com/2023/keep-or-cancel-free-to-air-terrestrial-tv-the-arguments/The extended, ad-free version available via Patreon subscription includes extended sections, outtakes, as well as additional discussions about:FEATUREWhen Is The Right Time To Buy A New Computer? Become a supporter to unlock bonus content and listen live — join our Patreon.Full show notes, subscription options and more available at https://www.uktechshow.com.TECH’S MESSAGE IS:Hosts: Nate Lanxon, Ian MorrisProduction and Editing: Nate LanxonMusic: Audio Network & Pond5Certain Artwork Elements Designed By: macrovector / FreepikPublisher (Free Version): AcastCopyright © Nate LanxonAds (on free version) are not endorsements, nor controlled by Tech’s Message. Read Nate’s ad policy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

26 Nov 202332min

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