XPost: talk.politics.misc, sci.space, alt.science
https://scitechdaily.com/signatures-of-alien-technology-the-key-to-finding-intelligent-extraterrestrial-life/
If an alien were to look at Earth, many human technologies –
from cell towers to fluorescent light bulbs – could be a
beacon signifying the presence of life.
We are two astronomers who work on the search for
extraterrestrial intelligence – or SETI. In our research,
we try to characterize and detect signs of technology
originating from beyond Earth. These are called technosignatures.
While scanning the sky for a TV broadcast of some extraterrestrial
Olympics may sound straightforward, searching for signs of
distant, advanced civilizations is a much more nuanced and
difficult task than it might seem.
. . .
More false/useless assumptions. ET might never have HAD
coal or oil - takes certain conditions/materials. Also,
even if ET did have those things, the TIME WINDOW in which
they and lots of other easily-detectable synthetic chemicals
were in use could be VERY narrow - a few centuries. The
chances of viewing just the RIGHT centuries is basically NIL.
How long before WE start using "T2"-type tech - little
nano-bots that can assume any shape and then "hold hands"
to solidify (and, better yet, recognize damage and FIX it) ?
No more concrete, no more asphalt, no more re-bar, less
plastics and even natural fibers .... it'd change the
chemical profile of the planet real quick.
This same mistake has been made by SETI and friends.
Again, the window in which longer-wave radio signals
or ANY radio signals, might be used is rather short.
No WAY you're gonna tune in at the right moment. Radio
sucks, the speed of light is too damned slow even for
OUR needs already. Something faster - likely quantum
entanglement trix in the near future - will HAVE to
supplant radio waves for all but the most local apps.
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