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The solipsist approach to extraterrestrial intelligence
946
F~General
garners more anatomical information, often about little-studied species. Information networks now alert scientists so quickly about strandings that rescue of the animal is sometimes possible; at the very least, fresh specimens for necropsy are obtained. (ahm)
83:6917 Sopher, Crea and Nancy Penrose, 1983. Burying radioactive waste in the deep seafloor. Sea Front., 29(4):210-217.
In a popular vein, this article describes the work being done by the Subseabed Disposal Program, a multi-institutional, international research project that is considering disposal of radioactive waste by burying it in quiet areas of the deep seafloor. Other disposal options are reviewed briefly; some of the relevant technical problems are noted. (bwt)
83:6918 Williams, R.L., 1983. Science tries to break new ground in predicting great earthquakes. Geophysicists follow every lead, the latest technol-
OLR(1983)30(12) ogy and oldest folklore, as they strive for forecasts that will avert disaster. Smithsonian, 14(4):40-51.
F420. Miscellaneous 83:6919 Sagan, Carl and W.1. Newman, 1983. The solipsist approach to extraterrestrial intelligence. Q. Jl R. astr. Soc., 24(2): 113-121. 'No convincing resolution [of the question of whether there is intelligence elsewhere in the Universe] is likely to come from protracted debates carried on with great passion and sparse data. We have an alternative denied the medieval scholastics: we are able to experiment.' Tipler's argument that if extraterrestrials did exist we would already have evidence of them is disputed on the grounds (1) that they would 'pay us as little attention as we do the ants'; and (2) that territoriality, aggression, and possibly (therefore) even exploration cannot exist in a civilization advanced enough to possess apocalyptic weapons. Lab. for Planet. Studies, Cornell Univ,, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA. (fcs)
F~General
garners more anatomical information, often about little-studied species. Information networks now alert scientists so quickly about strandings that rescue of the animal is sometimes possible; at the very least, fresh specimens for necropsy are obtained. (ahm)
83:6917 Sopher, Crea and Nancy Penrose, 1983. Burying radioactive waste in the deep seafloor. Sea Front., 29(4):210-217.
In a popular vein, this article describes the work being done by the Subseabed Disposal Program, a multi-institutional, international research project that is considering disposal of radioactive waste by burying it in quiet areas of the deep seafloor. Other disposal options are reviewed briefly; some of the relevant technical problems are noted. (bwt)
83:6918 Williams, R.L., 1983. Science tries to break new ground in predicting great earthquakes. Geophysicists follow every lead, the latest technol-
OLR(1983)30(12) ogy and oldest folklore, as they strive for forecasts that will avert disaster. Smithsonian, 14(4):40-51.
F420. Miscellaneous 83:6919 Sagan, Carl and W.1. Newman, 1983. The solipsist approach to extraterrestrial intelligence. Q. Jl R. astr. Soc., 24(2): 113-121. 'No convincing resolution [of the question of whether there is intelligence elsewhere in the Universe] is likely to come from protracted debates carried on with great passion and sparse data. We have an alternative denied the medieval scholastics: we are able to experiment.' Tipler's argument that if extraterrestrials did exist we would already have evidence of them is disputed on the grounds (1) that they would 'pay us as little attention as we do the ants'; and (2) that territoriality, aggression, and possibly (therefore) even exploration cannot exist in a civilization advanced enough to possess apocalyptic weapons. Lab. for Planet. Studies, Cornell Univ,, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA. (fcs)