party_pants said:

So whatever happened to:

- the $100 computer for people in developing countries?
- the SETI program?

That $100 computer even made it into some australian schools. Outback ones.

From memory, a major orgainisation waited until the distribution was ready to start and then released a direct compeditor. Nasty business.

So far as I know, SETI is still around and still not publishing any results. The Allen Array was to be a major oart of it.

mollwollfumble said:

party_pants said:

So whatever happened to:

- the $100 computer for people in developing countries?
- the SETI program?

That $100 computer even made it into some australian schools. Outback ones.

From memory, a major orgainisation waited until the distribution was ready to start and then released a direct compeditor. Nasty business.

So far as I know, SETI is still around and still not publishing any results. The Allen Array was to be a major oart of it.

https://www.theverge.com/2018/4/16/17233946/olpcs-100-laptop-education-where-is-it-now

Cheap, basic computers are still available.

sibeen said:

mollwollfumble said:

party_pants said:

So whatever happened to:

- the $100 computer for people in developing countries?
- the SETI program?

That $100 computer even made it into some australian schools. Outback ones.

From memory, a major organization waited until the distribution was ready to start and then released a direct competitor. Nasty business.

So far as I know, SETI is still around and still not publishing any results. The Allen Array was to be a major part of it.

https://www.theverge.com/2018/4/16/17233946/olpcs-100-laptop-education-where-is-it-now

Yes. As the link says, Intel deliberately killed it by dumping cheap laptops at below cost at a higher price that had more functionality. It brought out a direct competitor and, because its salesmen had ready access to buyers around the world, it sold while the $100 laptop didn’t. It was a deliberate attempt to wipe out the $100 laptop – and it worked.

———————

As for SETI, or as they write it

see https://www.seti.org/ata

“the first 42 elements of the Allen Telescope Array are conducting SETI searches every day of the week.” Compared to Arecibo, “the Allen Telescope Array is speeding up SETI targeted searching by a factor of at least 100.”

SETI are now producing a series of papers “Results from the Allen Telescope Array”. But are they really “results” or just methodology? Anything more recent that 2009? There’s this one from 2016.

SETI follow up observations

This paper devotes the first 7 pages to the history of SETI. Worth reading.

“The G-HAT team (G-HAT: Glimpsing Heat from Alien Technologies) compiled a catalogue of 93 galaxies that could host Kardashev-III civilizations , using data from the WISE space telescope. Their method was based on the detection of the civilization’s “waste heat”: as any physical process takes place, heat is being released to the environment and it can be detected as an excess of the IR flux of the object. Garrett combined the data from the G-HAT catalogue with the 20cm flux from the NRAO VLA Sky Survey (NVSS) and 9 objects with an anomalous flux excess at IR wavelengths were identified. This work is based on the the needed follow-up observations for each of those 9 sources.”

Spiral galaxy ACS-GC 90043805. Interpreting this as a K-III civilization, it was found that the waste heat temperature for this galaxy waste is 200K.

G-hat focuses on the IR waste heat signature of a source, the data that were used were retrieved from WISE (Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer), a Low Orbit, IR satellite. G created a sub-catalogue that contained 93 red sources. Follow up observations has reduced that to 9.

hose nine sources are:
1. NGC 1377 (q22>2:88)2. NGC 4355 (q22= 2:326)3. UGC 3097 (q22= 2:263)
4. NGC 5253 (q22= 2:248)5. NGC 4747 (q22= 2:244)6. NGC 0814 (q22= 2:164)
7. ESO 400-28 (q22>2:156)8. IC 0342 (q22= 2:054)9. MCG+02-60-017 (q22= 2:008)

Here, q22 is the magnitude of the anomalous IR at 22 microns.

(Note, not Allen Array, which is searching for radio signals).

OK, back to Allen Array results.

From 2016, SETI observations of exoplanets with the Allen Telescope Array

“A total of 1.9 × 10^8 unique signals requiring immediate follow-up were detected”.

The rest of the paper follows the SETI decision tree.

Did SETI ever find anything?

What I wanna know is whatever happened to baby Jane.

Woodie said:

What I wanna know is whatever happened to baby Jane.

sings

She became elderly Bette Davis.

Woodie said:

What I wanna know is whatever happened to baby Jane.

I don’t know.

Woodie said:

What I wanna know is whatever happened to baby Jane.

Bizarre novel, even more bizarre movie, most bizarre of all is the Making Of the movie.

Witty Rejoinder said:

Woodie said:

What I wanna know is whatever happened to baby Jane.

sings

She became elderly Bette Davis.

Why do all gay icons go the same way?

Woodie said:

Witty Rejoinder said:

Woodie said:

What I wanna know is whatever happened to baby Jane.

sings

She became elderly Bette Davis.

Why do all gay icons go the same way?

Poor Madonna aged worse than Skeletor

Woodie said:

Why do all gay icons go the same way?

How do gay icons become gay icons? Is it their vibe?

Divine Angel said:

How do gay icons become gay icons? Is it their vibe?

I didn’t even know that Bette Davis was a gay icon.

Witty Rejoinder said:

Woodie said:

Why do all gay icons go the same way?

AAARRRGH!! Kylie!! With one exception. 😎

Divine Angel said:

How do gay icons become gay icons? Is it their vibe?

They study hard, gain their degree in gay iconology and then apply for recognition through the usual channels.

Bubblecar said:

Divine Angel said:

How do gay icons become gay icons? Is it their vibe?

They study hard, gain their degree in gay iconology and then apply for recognition through the usual channels.

Are they gay icons or does the media deem them that way without checking

The Rev Dodgson said:

Divine Angel said:

How do gay icons become gay icons? Is it their vibe?

I didn’t even know that Bette Davis was a gay icon.

2nd only to Judy Garland.

Cymek said:

Woodie said:

Witty Rejoinder said:

sings

She became elderly Bette Davis.

Why do all gay icons go the same way?

Poor Madonna aged worse than Skeletor

she’s 60 years old ffs.. the judgement up in here is terrifying

Woodie said:

The Rev Dodgson said:

Divine Angel said:

How do gay icons become gay icons? Is it their vibe?

I didn’t even know that Bette Davis was a gay icon.

2nd only to Judy Garland.

How come all these gay icons are wimmin?

Bubblecar said:

Divine Angel said:

How do gay icons become gay icons? Is it their vibe?

They study hard, gain their degree in gay iconology and then apply for recognition through the usual channels.

Gay icons aren’t appointed. They are anointed. Chosen by divine intervention.

Arts said:

Cymek said:

Woodie said:

Why do all gay icons go the same way?

Poor Madonna aged worse than Skeletor

she’s 60 years old ffs.. the judgement up in here is terrifying

I’m kidding

the wiki entry for gay iconology is interesting

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gay_icon

Cymek said:

Bubblecar said:

Divine Angel said:

How do gay icons become gay icons? Is it their vibe?

They study hard, gain their degree in gay iconology and then apply for recognition through the usual channels.

Are they gay icons or does the media deem them that way without checking

Danni Minogue tried and tried and tried. But alas…. Sorry darling.

Cymek said:

Arts said:

Cymek said:

Poor Madonna aged worse than Skeletor

she’s 60 years old ffs.. the judgement up in here is terrifying

I’m kidding

Madonna is about to release a new album. Good on her.

I hope she doesn’t cook much, I’m concerned her face will melt over the stove.

Divine Angel said:

Cymek said:

Arts said:

she’s 60 years old ffs.. the judgement up in here is terrifying

I’m kidding

Madonna is about to release a new album. Good on her.

I hope she doesn’t cook much, I’m concerned her face will melt over the stove.

Like that poor Meg Ryan?

Woodie said:

Cymek said:

Bubblecar said:

They study hard, gain their degree in gay iconology and then apply for recognition through the usual channels.

Are they gay icons or does the media deem them that way without checking

Danni Minogue tried and tried and tried. But alas…. Sorry darling.

She was always second fiddle to her sister

Always liked Bette Davis. Hush…Hush, Sweet Charlotte was similar to Whatever Happened to Baby Jane (same cast except for Joan Crawford, who was initially hired then fired).

Have to get more of these classics on DVD.

Bubblecar said:

Always liked Bette Davis. Hush…Hush, Sweet Charlotte was similar to Whatever Happened to Baby Jane (same cast except for Joan Crawford, who was initially hired then fired).

Have to get more of these classics on DVD.

You can put All About Eve in there too.

Bubblecar said:

Always liked Bette Davis. Hush…Hush, Sweet Charlotte was similar to Whatever Happened to Baby Jane (same cast except for Joan Crawford, who was initially hired then fired).

Have to get more of these classics on DVD.

I really love that Kim Carnes song .. is Kim Carnes also a gay icon?

Arts said:

Bubblecar said:

Always liked Bette Davis. Hush…Hush, Sweet Charlotte was similar to Whatever Happened to Baby Jane (same cast except for Joan Crawford, who was initially hired then fired).

Have to get more of these classics on DVD.

I really love that Kim Carnes song .. is Kim Carnes also a gay icon?

Never understood that song. Bette Davis had eyes like a giant squid.

Who here has seen Feud? It was a drama series about Bette and Joan during the making of Whatever Happened to Baby Jane? Starred Susan Sarandon and Jessica Lange. I watched it for uni.

Arts said:

Bubblecar said:

Always liked Bette Davis. Hush…Hush, Sweet Charlotte was similar to Whatever Happened to Baby Jane (same cast except for Joan Crawford, who was initially hired then fired).

Have to get more of these classics on DVD.

I really love that Kim Carnes song .. is Kim Carnes also a gay icon?

Not really. No.

Divine Angel said:

Arts said:

Bubblecar said:

Always liked Bette Davis. Hush…Hush, Sweet Charlotte was similar to Whatever Happened to Baby Jane (same cast except for Joan Crawford, who was initially hired then fired).

Have to get more of these classics on DVD.

I really love that Kim Carnes song .. is Kim Carnes also a gay icon?

Never understood that song. Bette Davis had eyes like a giant squid.

Who here has seen Feud? It was a drama series about Bette and Joan during the making of Whatever Happened to Baby Jane? Starred Susan Sarandon and Jessica Lange. I watched it for uni.

Is that the line or song She’s got Bette Davis’s eyes, song about illegal organ transplants

Divine Angel said:

Arts said:

Bubblecar said:

Always liked Bette Davis. Hush…Hush, Sweet Charlotte was similar to Whatever Happened to Baby Jane (same cast except for Joan Crawford, who was initially hired then fired).

Have to get more of these classics on DVD.

I really love that Kim Carnes song .. is Kim Carnes also a gay icon?

Never understood that song. Bette Davis had eyes like a giant squid.

Who here has seen Feud? It was a drama series about Bette and Joan during the making of Whatever Happened to Baby Jane? Starred Susan Sarandon and Jessica Lange. I watched it for uni.

There was also “Mommie Dearest” about Joan Crawford too. The coat hanger scene has gay icon status. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tUkE9qaVgmo

Woodie said:

Divine Angel said:

Arts said:

I really love that Kim Carnes song .. is Kim Carnes also a gay icon?

Never understood that song. Bette Davis had eyes like a giant squid.

Who here has seen Feud? It was a drama series about Bette and Joan during the making of Whatever Happened to Baby Jane? Starred Susan Sarandon and Jessica Lange. I watched it for uni.

There was also “Mommie Dearest” about Joan Crawford too. The coat hanger scene has gay icon status. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tUkE9qaVgmo

my um made me watch Mommie Dearest when I was quite young.. I am convinced she did it as a way of saying “at least I am not as bad as her” that wire hanger scene didn’t worry me as much as the eat your ‘rare’ steak one

Shelley Winters was a more minor Guignol Dame, in films like What’s the Matter with Helen? and Whoever Slew Auntie Roo?

Peak Warming Man said:

Did SETI ever find anything?

They have not yet found anything that is solid evidence for extraterrestrial life.

dv said:

Peak Warming Man said:

Did SETI ever find anything?

They have not yet found anything that is solid evidence for extraterrestrial life.

I’ve wonder if you had active SETI and broadcast detailed information about the human race would you be stopped from doing so

In fairness to SETI:

the mere fact that they haven’t found anything is information. If there were several advanced civilisations in our part of the galaxy that were dead keen on communicating with other lifeforms, then they would probably have chosen one of the reference frequencies that SETI has scanned for. We can put a lid on our expectations: there might be intelligent life out there but there is not a shit ton of it in our part of the galaxy.

dv said:

In fairness to SETI:

the mere fact that they haven’t found anything is information. If there were several advanced civilisations in our part of the galaxy that were dead keen on communicating with other lifeforms, then they would probably have chosen one of the reference frequencies that SETI has scanned for. We can put a lid on our expectations: there might be intelligent life out there but there is not a shit ton of it in our part of the galaxy.

Super intelligent perhaps or they could become consumed with themselves and not be worried about communicating.
But yes it does still tell us something. Imagine though they turned in on and signals from all over the sky appeared would what they have done to our society

dv said:

In fairness to SETI:

the mere fact that they haven’t found anything is information. If there were several advanced civilisations in our part of the galaxy that were dead keen on communicating with other lifeforms, then they would probably have chosen one of the reference frequencies that SETI has scanned for. We can put a lid on our expectations: there might be intelligent life out there but there is not a shit ton of it in our part of the galaxy.

They could all be in a galaxy far far away.

Peak Warming Man said:

dv said:

In fairness to SETI:

the mere fact that they haven’t found anything is information. If there were several advanced civilisations in our part of the galaxy that were dead keen on communicating with other lifeforms, then they would probably have chosen one of the reference frequencies that SETI has scanned for. We can put a lid on our expectations: there might be intelligent life out there but there is not a shit ton of it in our part of the galaxy.

They could all be in a galaxy far far away.

Perhaps outside our little observable bit.

The Rev Dodgson said:

Peak Warming Man said:

dv said:

In fairness to SETI:

the mere fact that they haven’t found anything is information. If there were several advanced civilisations in our part of the galaxy that were dead keen on communicating with other lifeforms, then they would probably have chosen one of the reference frequencies that SETI has scanned for. We can put a lid on our expectations: there might be intelligent life out there but there is not a shit ton of it in our part of the galaxy.

They could all be in a galaxy far far away.

Perhaps outside our little observable bit.

Yes.

Cymek said:

dv said:

In fairness to SETI:

We can put a lid on our expectations: there might be intelligent life out there but there is not a shit ton of it in our part of the galaxy.

Super intelligent perhaps or they could become consumed with themselves and not be worried about communicating.

There could be a shit ton of intelligent life in our part of the galaxy that has chosen not to advertise is presence. This is one possible solution to the Fermi paradox. It’s very far from a sure thing that we would even respond if we did receive a message. There may be huge advantages to keeping our existence secret.

Some assumptions we can make about ET intelligence (below is not original from me but I can’t remember where I copied it from):

1)
THEIR SURVIVAL WILL BE MORE IMPORTANT THAN OUR SURVIVAL.If an alien species has to choose between them and us, they won’t choose us. It is difficult to imagine a contrary case; species don’t survive by being self-sacrificing.

2)
WIMPS DON’T BECOME TOP DOGS.No species makes it to the top by being passive. The species in charge of any given planet will be highly intelligent, alert, aggressive, and ruthless when necessary.

3)
THEY WILL ASSUME THAT THE FIRST TWO LAWS APPLY TO US.

esselte said:

Cymek said:

dv said:

In fairness to SETI:

We can put a lid on our expectations: there might be intelligent life out there but there is not a shit ton of it in our part of the galaxy.

Super intelligent perhaps or they could become consumed with themselves and not be worried about communicating.

There could be a shit ton of intelligent life in our part of the galaxy that has chosen not to advertise is presence. This is one possible solution to the Fermi paradox. It’s very far from a sure thing that we would even respond if we did receive a message. There may be huge advantages to keeping our existence secret.

Some assumptions we can make about ET intelligence (below is not original from me but I can’t remember where I copied it from):

1)
THEIR SURVIVAL WILL BE MORE IMPORTANT THAN OUR SURVIVAL.If an alien species has to choose between them and us, they won’t choose us. It is difficult to imagine a contrary case; species don’t survive by being self-sacrificing.

2)
WIMPS DON’T BECOME TOP DOGS.No species makes it to the top by being passive. The species in charge of any given planet will be highly intelligent, alert, aggressive, and ruthless when necessary.

3)
THEY WILL ASSUME THAT THE FIRST TWO LAWS APPLY TO US.

It why I wonder if say you transmitted our genetic profile, technological capabilities etc would you be aggressively stopped as its shows our weaknesses

esselte said:

Some assumptions we can make about ET intelligence (below is not original from me but I can’t remember where I copied it from):

I think it’s from a book called “The Killing Star” by Charles R. Pellegrino and George Zebrowski

From the same book:

“We ask that you try just one more thought experiment. Imagine yourself taking a stroll through Manhattan, somewhere north of 68th street, deep inside Central Park, late at night. It would be nice to meet someone friendly, but you know that the park is dangerous at night. That’s when the monsters come out. There’s always a strong undercurrent of drug dealings, muggings, and occasional homicides.

“It is not easy to distinguish the good guys from the bad guys. They dress alike, and the weapons are concealed. The only difference is intent, and you can’t read minds.

“Stay in the dark long enough and you may hear an occasional distance shriek or blunder across a body.

“How do you survive the night? The last thing you want to do is shout, “I’m here!” The next to last thing you want to do is reply to someone who shouts, “I’m a friend!”

“What you would like to do is find a policeman, or get out of the park. But you don’t want to make noise or move towards a light where you might be spotted, and it is difficult to find either a policeman or your way out without making yourself known. Your safest option is to hunker down and wait for daylight, then safely walk out.

“There are, of course, a few obvious differences between Central Park and the universe.

“There is no policeman.

“There is no way out.

“And the night never ends.”

Cymek said:

It why I wonder if say you transmitted our genetic profile, technological capabilities etc would you be aggressively stopped as its shows our weaknesses

“… the “Declaration of Principles for Activities Following the Detection of Extraterrestrial Intelligence”, was created by the SETI Permanent Committee of the International Academy of Astronautics(IAA)….

“7) Neither the discoverer nor anyone else should respond to an observed extraterrestrial intelligence; doing so requires international agreement under separate procedures….

“A separate “Proposed Agreement on the Sending of Communications to Extraterrestrial Intelligence” was subsequently created. It proposes an international commission, membership of which would be open to all interested nations, to be constituted on detection of extraterrestrial intelligence. This commission would decide whether to send a message to the extraterrestrial intelligence, and if so, would determine the contents of the message on the basis of principles such as justice, respect for cultural diversity, honesty, and respect for property and territory. The draft proposes to forbid the sending of any message by an individual nation or organization without the permission of the commission, and suggests that, if the detected intelligence poses a danger to human civilization, the United Nations Security Council should authorize any message to extraterrestrial intelligence. However, this proposal, like all others, has not been incorporated into national or international law.”

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Potential_cultural_impact_of_extraterrestrial_contact