- May 11, 2006
- 789
- 0
- 0
I think distributed computing can have a far-reaching impact, esp. in some projects like global warming and the like.
But I have a question about SETI@Home.
I've read interviews with Dr. David P. Anderson, done pretty recently within the last year, and he himself says he no longer runs SETI but instead global warming DC projects.
Further, he said the SETI project was set up as a demonstration project with no expectation of it continuing or ever showing results. That's because it's now conceded there is little chance of detecting the "leaking" transmissions of another planet as those signals are too weak to stand out from the universe's background noise.
So, why is there still a push to get people to join? Every time I see the "Join us in SETI@Home" it's tied tightly to:
So, is the real motivation for the distributed computing around here all about positions and points and being ahead of others? No other motivation at all?
I never read about "We're making progress on cancer." or "We've now cracked X # of genomes." or anything else.....only "We're in 8th position and can pass whoever for #5! Join Now!!!"
Wouldn't the time being spent on SETI be better served spending it on things like cancer or global warming?
Not against looking for intelligent life in space, it's just it seems such a waste of computing power with no prospect of success.....success that will have no implications for us here on earth, unlike global warming research which will affect each and every one of us on this planet.
But I have a question about SETI@Home.
I've read interviews with Dr. David P. Anderson, done pretty recently within the last year, and he himself says he no longer runs SETI but instead global warming DC projects.
Further, he said the SETI project was set up as a demonstration project with no expectation of it continuing or ever showing results. That's because it's now conceded there is little chance of detecting the "leaking" transmissions of another planet as those signals are too weak to stand out from the universe's background noise.
So, why is there still a push to get people to join? Every time I see the "Join us in SETI@Home" it's tied tightly to:
The TeAm is in 18th place, but 4 teams are a threat. Production has been falling over the past months as crunchers have moved to other projects. Some other teams are catching up!
So, is the real motivation for the distributed computing around here all about positions and points and being ahead of others? No other motivation at all?
I never read about "We're making progress on cancer." or "We've now cracked X # of genomes." or anything else.....only "We're in 8th position and can pass whoever for #5! Join Now!!!"
Wouldn't the time being spent on SETI be better served spending it on things like cancer or global warming?
Not against looking for intelligent life in space, it's just it seems such a waste of computing power with no prospect of success.....success that will have no implications for us here on earth, unlike global warming research which will affect each and every one of us on this planet.