3 ms·

Explode a number of nukes in space, which forms a prime number pattern. For instance by cadence. That should get the attention of any listeners out there. Ther

Explode a number of nukes in space, which forms a prime number pattern. For instance by cadence. That should get the attention of any listeners out there. There should be no natural process which could explain that. Bonus: An incredibly strong, directional and short pulse could be directed by placing a mylar parabolic shape behind the bombs. Just before being vaporised, the mylar would reflect the initial energy. The same could be done with the radio energy by a thin copper mesh. Edit - downvoter thinks it’s untenable or just a bad idea in case it works? :-)

__s 6y ago
Random math doesn't imply intelligence: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rule_30 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rule_30 is that shell intelligent? Wolfram has an alright interview where he considers this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ez773teNFYA https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ez773teNFYA My own thoughts: intelligence is something which you need to observe predicting the future, ie something proactively reacting to the future in order to achieve a goal. This means ideally you have a bit of interaction so that you can see that you're interacting with is capable of learning in response to you
- jacobush 6y ago
  Primes are not random math, and primes do not occur in astronomy sightings. https://modulouniverse.com/2015/02/16/prime-numbers-and-et/ https://modulouniverse.com/2015/02/16/prime-numbers-and-et/
  - ben_w 6y ago
    In an alternate reality where we observed prime numbers in space, I suspect we’d be telling ourselves they must have a natural cause in the same way we’re looking at dark matter and arguing what type of particle it is made of. And if we did decide it had to be aliens, the point is they don’t have to be intelligent to do prime numbers — they might be space cicadas who evolved to spread around Oort clouds by gathering enough uranium to go prompt-critical[0]. From the point of view of aliens looking at us if we detonated nukes in a prime sequence, the same arguments apply. [0] this is a reference to a novel or short story which I can’t remember enough details of to find on Google or DDG.
    - jacobush 6y ago
      Space cicadas would be pretty awesome too I think! If a species finds those and aren't delighted, I feel sorry for them. (At least the first time they find space cicadas.)
javajosh 6y ago
Or one better: build Dyson spheres around your sun, or ideally around several local suns. This would be a clear signal of a very mighty civilization indeed! But even this signal would propagate outward at a snails pace in comparison to the size of the galaxy, let alone the universe. At that point I think it's interesting to wonder what such long-lived and powerful civilizations would want to talk about, and indeed how the conversation would take place. The time-scales are unimaginable; it would require something like a slowed-down AI living in a physical substrate maintained by short-lived AIs and/or biologicals, somehow maintaining a stable (or at least meta-stable) social structure for millions of years. It would be an incredible achievement, but I would worry that the "human cost" would be immense -- I'm thinking of the very stable but stagnant (and totalitarian) Egyptian civilization. Were the pyramids worth the cost?
- beamatronic 6y ago
  You need some kind of shutter that orbits the sun, which can be opened and closed rapidly to modulate the existing light. At least we can send the message that we were here and you’re not alone.
  - javajosh 6y ago
    I don't believe this is necessary. First, the construction of such a sphere is itself a kind of "blinking" - over time, imagine the stars blinking out, replaced by a dull red glow of infrared. Second, I believe it is possible to infer the existence of stars by gravity and other effects, such that it's lack of emitted light in the visible range would be a clue to an observer that they are, in fact, observing an artificial phenomena.
- jacobush 6y ago
  Also popping a few nukes we could do tomorrow (or at least next year) while a Dyson sphere is, as you say, a little more involved. :)
PeterisP 6y ago
The energy released by a nuke explosion is utterly insignificant compared to the light emitted by the sun so it would not be noticeable at all by a faraway observer looking at our star. A directional pulse may be an option, but then you have to pick a particular star at which to aim it.
- jacobush 6y ago
  So send the bombs out beyond Pluto first or however far is deemed optimal.

__s 6y ago

Random math doesn't imply intelligence: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rule_30 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rule_30 is that shell intelligent? Wolfram has an alright interview where he considers this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ez773teNFYA https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ez773teNFYA My own thoughts: intelligence is something which you need to observe predicting the future, ie something proactively reacting to the future in order to achieve a goal. This means ideally you have a bit of interaction so that you can see that you're interacting with is capable of learning in response to you

jacobush 6y ago
Primes are not random math, and primes do not occur in astronomy sightings. https://modulouniverse.com/2015/02/16/prime-numbers-and-et/ https://modulouniverse.com/2015/02/16/prime-numbers-and-et/
- ben_w 6y ago
  In an alternate reality where we observed prime numbers in space, I suspect we’d be telling ourselves they must have a natural cause in the same way we’re looking at dark matter and arguing what type of particle it is made of. And if we did decide it had to be aliens, the point is they don’t have to be intelligent to do prime numbers — they might be space cicadas who evolved to spread around Oort clouds by gathering enough uranium to go prompt-critical[0]. From the point of view of aliens looking at us if we detonated nukes in a prime sequence, the same arguments apply. [0] this is a reference to a novel or short story which I can’t remember enough details of to find on Google or DDG.
  - jacobush 6y ago
    Space cicadas would be pretty awesome too I think! If a species finds those and aren't delighted, I feel sorry for them. (At least the first time they find space cicadas.)

javajosh 6y ago

Or one better: build Dyson spheres around your sun, or ideally around several local suns. This would be a clear signal of a very mighty civilization indeed! But even this signal would propagate outward at a snails pace in comparison to the size of the galaxy, let alone the universe. At that point I think it's interesting to wonder what such long-lived and powerful civilizations would want to talk about, and indeed how the conversation would take place. The time-scales are unimaginable; it would require something like a slowed-down AI living in a physical substrate maintained by short-lived AIs and/or biologicals, somehow maintaining a stable (or at least meta-stable) social structure for millions of years. It would be an incredible achievement, but I would worry that the "human cost" would be immense -- I'm thinking of the very stable but stagnant (and totalitarian) Egyptian civilization. Were the pyramids worth the cost?

beamatronic 6y ago
You need some kind of shutter that orbits the sun, which can be opened and closed rapidly to modulate the existing light. At least we can send the message that we were here and you’re not alone.
- javajosh 6y ago
  I don't believe this is necessary. First, the construction of such a sphere is itself a kind of "blinking" - over time, imagine the stars blinking out, replaced by a dull red glow of infrared. Second, I believe it is possible to infer the existence of stars by gravity and other effects, such that it's lack of emitted light in the visible range would be a clue to an observer that they are, in fact, observing an artificial phenomena.
jacobush 6y ago
Also popping a few nukes we could do tomorrow (or at least next year) while a Dyson sphere is, as you say, a little more involved. :)

PeterisP 6y ago

The energy released by a nuke explosion is utterly insignificant compared to the light emitted by the sun so it would not be noticeable at all by a faraway observer looking at our star. A directional pulse may be an option, but then you have to pick a particular star at which to aim it.

jacobush 6y ago
So send the bombs out beyond Pluto first or however far is deemed optimal.