Skip to main content

Day 3: Pseudoscience

Is SETI Science or Pseudoscience?

What is SETI?

SETI stands for Search of Extraterrestrial Intelligence. It is a private search mainly testing different technological methods with the end goal of gathering evidence of extraterrestrial intelligence whether its through microwaves or improving their technology to search farther.

Discussion:

This discussion was a complete mind boggler; I switched sides twice hearing everybody out. I initially believed it to be pseudoscience, then switched to science, then again back to pseudoscience. I believed it to be pseudoscience on my own due to the fact that the broad claim of "aliens might exist" is unfalsifiable. However, I switched once I heard that technology may just be limiting us and our abilities to falsify or prove this claim; I believed that the process of creating and modifying new technology WAS in fact science. 

However, once again I was convinced when another person in class mentioned how testing the actual technology could never be a fair scientific trial. It is impossible to come to conclusions and record observations on the effectiveness of new SETI technology/communication methods due to the fact that the universe is ultimately infinite. In other words, when a new technology/method does not work during a certain period of time, it does not mean that that technology is ineffective due to the fact that the universe is infinite and there could potentially be an infinite observation time. (Ex. "Maybe our microwave technology will work if it travels further!")

How can SETI be more scientific?

I believe that SETI could be more scientific by collecting data and material from space and determining whether or not there is evidence of a life rather than looking for evidence of communication. By collecting data there may be some theories formed that could drive their search, rather than blindly hoping something or someone receives SETI signals. I also believe that their must be more observational methods whether its through developing breakthrough technology to retrieve more data in the form of in depth photos or something on a similar observable level. 

I 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Day 4: Computational Thinking

  Part 1: First Day of Computational Thinking My Prior Experience:     My previous coding experience was very limited before I started. I was once a sufficient programmer able to make designs on Code.org from AP Computer Science Principles with coding tools ranging from variables to functions; I was even able to make Wordle on my own time! However, this was all during my freshman year and in javascript, so as a rising senior, I have since then forgotten how to program. With this in mind, I decided to do the intro to Python on Codecademy to give myself a refresher. What I learned:     Today I learned Python's syntax since I was previously familiar with the syntax of javascript, it was interesting to see the simplicity of Python. However despite the relatively simpler syntax, there were still some new functions that I had to learn, such as the use of %s to recall certain strings.  How Far I Advanced: I reached to step 1 on Functions Part 2: ChatGPT Bias Based...
Post a Comment
Read more

Introducing the Blogger: Katie Lam

   Hello! My name is Katie Lam, and I was born and raised in Memphis, Tennessee. At GSSE, I am studying Industrial and Systems Engineering and I'm looking forward to the field trips this month! During my free time I love to listen to music (Dominic Fike, Shelly, Slow Pulp, Tyler the Creator and more), cook, and rock climb at my local gym. This summer I've been influenced to try out pickleball, so hopefully I'll be on the UTK courts during my time here! Pictured: SMS Climbing Club in Memphis Rox
Post a Comment
Read more

Day 1: Self Driving Car Dilemma

Today we were presented with an scenario and given a personal narrative as a programmer hired to design a self-driving car.  The scenario: Our company's self driving car is driving on the highway behind a semitruck carrying a strapped load, and it's boxed in on either sides by an SUV and a motorcyclist. Suddenly, large boxes unexpectedly fall of the loaded truck, in the trajectory of our self-driving car. In this moment, our car cannot stop in time to avoid the boxes, so we are presented with three choices .  Go straight into the boxes Swerve towards the SUV Swerve towards the motorcyclist My Choice:   Why I Would Program the Car to Drive Straight     Driving a self-driving car ultimately comes with its own risks, one of them potentially being that at times, the computer will make the decision for you. In this scenario, I believe that the most ethical option is taking the hit for yourself without purposefully deciding to involve other vehicles on the road. Speci...
Post a Comment
Read more