The search for ET is a detective story without a body

Nigel Henbest, contributor

(Image: Plainpicture)

Paul Murdin investigates the possibilities of nearby alien life in Are We Being Watched?, but neglects to cover more thrilling aspects of the quest

OVER lunch at Los Alamos National Laboratory in 1950, a group of leading physicists turned their minds to flying saucers, and the possibility of interstellar travel. "Where is everybody?" Enrico Fermi exclaimed. As his colleagues laughed, Fermi performed a legendary back-of-an-envelope calculation showing that aliens - if they exist - should have visited Earth many times over.

If they've been here, then perhaps they are watching us - hence the provocative title of Paul Murdin's new book. As one of the team that discovered the first black hole in our galaxy, Murdin is an astrophysicist of impeccable credentials. But in weighing up the evidence for alien life, Murdin has to confront one insuperable obstacle: there is no evidence for even microbial life beyond Earth. So the Herculean task of writing a book on alien life is the ultimate detective story without a body.

Murdin seems to draw his inspiration from the poet Alexander Pope's famous quote that the "proper study of mankind is man". His discussions centre mainly on Earth's indigenous life, with the premise that alien life follows much the same pattern: evolution and survival of disasters to culminate - after much the same lapse of time - in intelligent creatures pretty similar to us.

He also investigates the possibility of microbial life on our neighbouring worlds, including the frozen deserts of Mars and the icy depths of Saturn's moon Enceladus, along with its peer Titan, which is coated with a sorbet of chemicals with the potential for creating life. There is even a chance that alien fish swim in the deep oceans of Europa, the icy moon circling Jupiter.

If that is what you are looking for, then Murdin is an excellent and thoughtful guide. But when it comes to a deeper discussion of the search for life beyond our solar system - and especially intelligent aliens - we are frustratingly short-changed. There is only a cursory discussion of the fascinating zoo of planets now being discovered around other stars. Many of these new worlds are so hot or cold, water-covered or parched, that our best clues to life there come from Earth's most hardy life forms. Yet these amazing extremophiles are dismissed in a single page.

Alien life is a subject that sparks off-the-wall ideas and excitement that are largely lacking here. Take the physical appearance of aliens. Admittedly, this is a pretty nebulous subject, but some evolutionary biologists such as Jack Cohen have taken a hard look at what might be possible. And communications researchers like Laurance Doyle have derived algorithms that can tease out meaning from apparently random patterns of sound, providing hints about how aliens might communicate.

The global Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence project (SETI) is the key to finding intelligent life out there. Murdin gives a full account of SETI up to 1977, but squeezes its subsequent history into a page. There is nothing on the searches that have targeted individual stars, including those with newly discovered planets, nor on the world's most sensitive eavesdropping radio ear on the cosmos, the Allen Telescope Array. Murdin is silent on recent searches for laser signals from alien intelligence, and on attempts to track down tell-tale infrared emissions from advanced civilisations. And we also learn nothing of efforts to detect alien artefacts in the solar system. That's not as daft as it may sound: if Fermi was right, and aliens have visited, then where's the rubbish they left behind?

For the science of the solidly known - with references and footnotes - Murdin has written a thorough survey. But he stops short of providing the thrill that would come from answering the provocative question in the title.

Book information
Are We Being Watched? The search for life in the cosmos by Paul Murdin
Thames & Hudson
?16.95

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Falklands votes in sovereignty referendum rejected by Argentina

STANLEY, Falkland Islands (Reuters) - Residents of the Falkland Islands started voting on Sunday in a sovereignty referendum that seeks to counter Argentina's increasingly assertive claim over the British-ruled territory.

Diplomatic tension between Britain and Argentina has flared up after more than three decades since they went to war over the South Atlantic archipelago, and that has unsettled some of the roughly 2,500 islanders.

With patriotic feelings running high, Falklands-born and long-term residents will cast ballots in the two-day referendum in which they will be asked whether they want to stay a British Overseas Territory.

Officials are expected to announce the result at about 8 p.m. after polls close on Monday.

An overwhelming "yes" vote is likely, prompting Argentina to dismiss the referendum as a meaningless publicity stunt. A high turnout is expected, however, as islanders embrace it as a chance to make their voices heard.

"We hope the undecideds, or the uninformeds, or those countries that might otherwise be prepared to give the nod to Argentina's sovereignty claim might have pause for thought after the referendum," said John Fowler, deputy editor of the islands' weekly newspaper, the Penguin News.

"This is an attempt to say 'hang on a minute, there's another side to the story'."

People queued to vote at the town hall in the quiet island capital of Stanley, where referendum posters bearing the slogan "Our Islands, Our Choice" adorned front windows. The post office produced a line of official stamps to mark the occasion.

In distant islands and far-flung sheep farms, ballot papers were being flown and driven in by mobile polling stations.

"For me, this referendum is extremely important because I have no wish to be part of Argentina," said Rob McGill, 67, who runs a guesthouse in isolated Carcass Island and voted by post.

"I consider myself a Falkland Islander, but my ancestors came from Britain," he said.

FIERY REMARKS

Some islanders are the descendants of British settlers who arrived eight or nine generations ago and the Falklands retain an unmistakably British character despite a sizeable community of immigrants from Chile and Saint Helena.

Residents say fiery remarks by Argentine President Cristina Fernandez and her foreign minister, Hector Timerman, have galvanized patriotic sentiment on the islands, which lie nearly 8,000 miles from London and just a 75-minute flight away from southern Argentina.

Tensions have risen with the discovery of commercially viable oil resources in the Falklands basin and by Fernandez's persistent demands for Britain to hold sovereignty talks over the Malvinas, as the islands are called in Spanish.

London says it will only agree to negotiations if the islanders want them, which they show no sign of doing.

Timerman said last month the referendum had the "spirit of a public-relations campaign" and the foreign ministry accused Britain of pursuing "irresponsible initiatives in bad faith."

"This new British attempt to manipulate the Malvinas issue through a vote by the population that it implanted is forcefully rejected by Argentina," a ministry statement said, citing broad Latin American support for Argentina's position.

Argentina says the sovereignty dispute can only be decided between London and Buenos Aires.

MOMENTS OF DETENTE

Argentina has claimed the islands since 1833, saying it inherited them from the Spanish on independence and that Britain expelled an Argentine population.

The sovereignty claim is a constant in Argentine foreign policy, but there have been moments of detente since former dictator Leopoldo Galtieri sent troops to land in the Falklands in April 1982, drawing a swift response from former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.

A 10-week war, which killed about 650 Argentines and 255 Britons and ended when Argentina surrendered, is widely remembered in Argentina as a humiliating mistake by the brutal and discredited dictatorship ruling at the time.

No one in Argentina advocates another attempt to take the islands by force, but some analysts say the current tough strategy may prove counterproductive by antagonizing islanders.

"Until Argentina is able to persuade the Falkland Islanders to accept some form of Argentine sovereignty over the islands, Argentina's efforts to reclaim them will be an exercise in futility," said Mark Jones, chair of political science at Houston-based Rice University.

In the islands, where plans for oil production to start in 2017 could further boost the flourishing local economy, most residents are determined to maintain the status quo.

"Our best-case scenario is for them to drop their claim and realize that we are a people, we are a country and we do exist," said Gavin Short, one of the Falklands assembly's eight elected members.

Asked if he thought that might happen, he said: "Not in my lifetime."

(Additional reporting by Magali Cervantes in Stanley; and Helen Popper in Buenos Aires.; Writing by Helen Popper; editing by Christopher Wilsn)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/falklands-votes-sovereignty-referendum-rejected-argentina-173425869.html

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Queen Elizabeth to Sign Commonwealth Charter Promoting Gay ...

Monday, on live television, Queen Elizabeth will sign a new Commonwealth Charter ?designed to stamp out discrimination against homosexual people and promote the ?empowerment? of women ? a key part of a new drive to boost human rights and living standards across the Commonwealth,? the Daily Mail reports.

Insiders say her decision to highlight the event is a ?watershed? moment ? the first time she has clearly signalled her support for gay rights in her 61-year reign.

The charter, dubbed a ?21st Century Commonwealth Magna Carta? declares: ?We are implacably opposed to all forms of discrimination, whether rooted in gender, race, colour, creed, political belief or other grounds.?

The ?other grounds? is intended to refer to sexuality ? but specific reference to ?gays and lesbians? was omitted in deference to Commonwealth countries with draconian anti-gay laws.

The potential reach of the Charter is vast. The Commonwealth of Nations, formerly known as the British Commonwealth, consists of 54 independent sovereign states (see map, right).? Daily Mail:

Homosexual acts are still illegal in 41 of the Commonwealth?s 54 nations. Penalties include the death sentence in parts of Nigeria and Pakistan; 25 years jail in Trinidad and Tobago; 20 years plus flogging in Malaysia; and life imprisonment in Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Uganda, Bangladesh and Guyana.

Same-sex relationships are recognised in only five Commonwealth countries: UK, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and South Africa.

?

Ben Summerskill, chief executive of gay and lesbian rights group Stonewall, said the Queen ? who he called ?a feminist icon? ? had taken ?an historic step forward? on gay rights. He said: ?This is the first time that the Queen has publicly acknowledged the importance of the six per cent of her subjects who are gay. Some of the worst persecution of gay people in the world takes place in Commonwealth countries as a result of the British Empire.?

On Feb. 5 the House of Commons overwhelmingly approved the equal marriage bill by a vote of 400 to 175.? Expectations are that the bill will receive its final vote of approval from the Commons as early as this week, after which it will be sent to the House of Lords.

Update: Read The Commonwealth?s press release here.? The Charter of the Commonwealth, which Queen Elizabeth will be signing, can be read here.

Source: http://pamshouseblend.firedoglake.com/2013/03/09/queen-elizabeth-to-sign-commonwealth-charter-promoting-gay-rights-and-gender-equality/

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Multimorphic shows off its modular, open-source P3 Pinball machine at SXSW

When we spoke to Gary Stern way back in January at CES, the pinball exec let it be known that his was the only company currently producing pinball machines -- and while that may be accurate so far as actual shipping systems go, there are a handful of startups looking to get into the game. One of the more compelling examples we've seen is the offering from Multimorphic, a local company showcasing a prototype at SXSW Interactive's Game Expo.

The P3 is interesting for a number of reasons. First, and arguably most importantly, is the modular nature of the machine. If you take a look at the (still unfinished) sides of the cabinet, you can see a big slit down the center, where the top can be lifted off and replaced -- since the machine is targeted toward home users, there's no concern about vandalism there. The idea is to essentially offer a platform to both developers and at-home hackers to create their own games atop what is essentially a clean slate.

Gallery: Multimorphic P3 Pinball machine hands-on

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Source: Multimorphic

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Integrate Inbound Marketing with Direct Mail - Mailing Lists Direct Blog

It is not so difficult to see how direct mail marketing and its related online marketing tools are severely disintegrated in most businesses today. People simply ignore the importance of a targeted and integrated marketing strategy ? one that grabs the attention of its readers and converts readers to buyers. Getting the attention of your audience is the first key to being successful in your direct mail marketing campaign. Otherwise it?s the same old story: heaps of direct mail newsletters keep piling up in the garbage bin and nobody cares to take a second glance at them. The power of direct mail marketing is undeniable. If you know your business and target audience well enough, you have sufficient information to start off your campaign.

You can make a business postcard for your direct mail, which would mean that you bear the entire cost of production and posting. A shared direct mail means that a number of businesses share a common piece of direct mail, and they share the expenses as well.

Following are a few tips to help you create a winning direct mail marketing strategy:

• Planning should be done in a reverse manner. Think of how a customer would benefit from it and then how it will benefit you.
• Integrate direct mail with the relevant landing page of your business.
• Give your direct mail campaign and the landing page the same creative catch.
• Incorporate technology where needed.
• Use social media for help in promotion.

Source: http://www.mailing-lists-direct-blog.com/971/integrate-inbound-marketing-with-direct-mail/

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106-year-old Mass. man gets high school diploma

BEVERLY, Mass. (AP) ? Fred Butler was married for 65 years, raised five children, served in the Army during World War II and worked for years for the local water department, but the fact he never earned a high school diploma always bothered him.

Not anymore.

The 106-year-old was awarded his honorary diploma Monday during an emotional ceremony attended by school officials, state lawmakers and Beverly Mayor Bill Scanlon.

"I thank everybody who is responsible for this," he said, wearing a mortar board hat and tassel and holding the prized document in his hands. "I certainly appreciate it."

Butler dropped out of school before the ninth-grade to accept a full-time job at a print shop to support his mother and five younger siblings.

Daughter-in-law Cathy Butler says he regretted dropping out and always emphasized the importance of education to his children and grandchildren.

A grandson, Mike Calabro, said Butler gave him $5 for every A on his report card.

Cathy Butler launched the effort to get her father-in-law his diploma as a way to raise his spirits following the death of his wife, Ruth, last year.

Fred Butler's only concern was that he hadn't earned it.

Scanlon put that concern to rest. "It's a long time to wait for your diploma," Scanlon said, "but you've obviously earned it very well."

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/aa9398e6757a46fa93ed5dea7bd3729e/Article_2013-03-05-US-ODD-106-Year-Old-Graduate/id-6deb9a038bec432cb31b76af62c414d6

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Time management tips and secrets Werner | Self Improvement ...

Government (Carl Sandburg)

THE Government--I heard about the Government and
I went out to find it. I said I would look closely at
it when I saw it.
Then I saw a policeman dragging a drunken man to
the callaboose. It was the Government in action.
I saw a ward alderman slip into an office one morning
and talk with a judge. Later in the day the judge
dismissed a case against a pickpocket who was a
live ward worker for the alderman. Again I saw
this was the Government, doing things.
I saw militiamen level their rifles at a crowd of work-
ingmen who were trying to get other workingmen
to stay away from a shop where there was a strike
on. Government in action.
Everywhere I saw that Government is a thing made of
men, that Government has blood and bones, it is
many mouths whispering into many ears, sending
telegrams, aiming rifles, writing orders, saying
"yes" and "no."
Government dies as the men who form it die and are laid
away in their graves and the new Government that
comes after is human, made of heartbeats of blood,
ambitions, lusts, and money running through it all,
money paid and money taken, and money covered
up and spoken of with hushed voices.
A Government is just as secret and mysterious and sensi-
tive as any human sinner carrying a load of germs,
traditions and corpuscles handed down from
fathers and mothers away back.

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Source: http://self-improvement.roxy-publishing.com/blog/time-management/time-management-tips-and-secrets-werner

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