Searching for ET - a flawed perspective

Within some astronomy circles there is a view that searching for extraterrestrial life in the universe is a good and worthy goal, both from a scientific point of view and the resources needed to carry out such research. Hollywood films such as 'ET', 'Close Encounters of the Third Kind' and 'The Day the Earth Stood Still' paint a picture of higher intelligence being understanding and interaction with people on this planet being one of positivism or curiousity. But on what basis would an assumption along these lines bear any resemblance to reality? The recent release of a muddled mess of a film called 'Skyline' presents a different view of aliens. In this film they are portrayed as overtly hostile and their arrival on earth is aggressive with humans seen as resources to be harvested. In 'Skyline', the human race is not successful  at beating off the invaders and succumbs to the more powerful alien force. It should not presumed that any life form outside of this planet would subscribe to the same values, beliefs or behaviour often recognisable to homo sapiens. The Universe in fact is a highly hostile and volatile environment and should any intelligence be found which has the capacity to reach this planet, it is unlikely to have benign behaviour or adherence to ethical and moral values.

Nuclear Power and radioactive waste

The environmental community remains split on the virtues or otherwise of the use of nuclear power to replace reliance on coal fired generators. On the positive side, nuclear energy does not produce the level of carbon emissions and greenhouse gases although it does remain reliant on the mining and processing of uranium. On the negative side, it produces highly radioactive waste that remains potent for thousands of years. Around 14 % of the world's electricity is produced from nuclear power plants and around 12,000 tonnes of waste. One theoretical proposal being canvassed in experiments in Europe and Japan is to saturate plutonium, uranium with neutrons which cause the isotopes to become unstable, then decay into material less problematic for disposal. How realistic is this proposal given the number of existing nuclear power stations and those proposed for replacement or new construction? Can the quantity of waste be effectively managed with such a process which in itself carries risks. Any solution which is found to be viable remains decades away and in itself, it is unlikely that nuclear power will produce the trump card to enable a clear removal of fossil fuels for power generation.  

Silent Spring - has the lesson been learned?

It's now 48 years since Rachel Carson's 'Silent Spring' was published and marked a foundation point in defining the inherent risk of uncritical acceptance of  pesticides impact on the enivronment. Released by Houghton Mifflin on 27 September 1962,  the book itself is widely credited with helping launch the environmental movement and documented the detrimental effects of pesticides on the environment, particularly on birds. Carson who was a scientist, said that DDT had been found to cause thinner egg shells and result in reproductive problems and death. The chemical industry was criticised for spreading disinformation with public officials accepting industry claims uncritically.

Even with greater awareness, controls and regulation, high level risk continues. The Californian Condor, an endangered species, appears to be the next potential victim of contamination producing eggs with dangerously thin shells. A possible culprit is exposure to DDT through the food chain as condors feed off sea lions who in turn eat contaminated fish from an offshore dumping ground.
[New Scientist 20 November 2010]

Shades of Grey and Life's Momentum

Life has become compressed in the 21st Century and more focussed on the absolutes of black and white rather than shades of grey which actually characterises the bulk of life's events. Thus observed prominent and sometimes controverial Australian photographer and artist, Bill Henson, at the Art Gallery of NSW last night. Presenting the final talk of the photographic series 'My Favourite Things', Bill Henson observed the speed at which events, moments and decisions are reached, often with insufficient consideration and often less understanding.   

Henson's photographic work reflects an interest in ambiguity and in particular, transition. His photographs often resemble the texture and composition of a painting rather than a photograph. With this perspective he is well placed not only to observe change but to arbitrage between new technology and  retaining a passion for earlier, more measured forms of creative expression in music, film and other art forms. Music is one such linear transition he commented moving from vinyl to tape to CD and now to MP3 digital capture, yet condensing does not always guarantee retention of content or value. An obervation well placed.