Should we purposefully transmit messages to space? That is the question posed by a team of earth and space scientists due to an increasing number of independent groups sending purposefully directed high-intensity messages into the cosmos.
Read MoreIntelligent Life in the Milky Way
Astronomers now estimate that there are 100 billion Earth-like planets in the Milky Way. What implications does this estimate have on our search for intelligent life in our galaxy?
Read MoreComprehending Deep Time
Two important studies from evolutionary anthropology and cosmology have forced us to reconceptualize our past. In order to properly contexualize these discoveries we must develop an understanding of deep time. What is the best approach to understanding time scales of millions and billions of years?
Read MoreUniversality of Preadaptation for the Human Condition
I have often wondered about whether key human adaptations represented universal traits for the development of high intelligence and technological complexity. Evolutionary biologist E.O. Wilson argues that there were four preadaptations that are necessary. However, I contend that we should remain cautious because we need more data before making any broad conclusions.
Read MoreEconomic Evolution
Big history can help us understand many aspects of humanity. When we analyze trends from a big historical perspective, we can better extrapolate the changes that we should expect in the future. Nowhere is this more evident than with the research of economist Robin Hanson. Hanson (1994; 1998; 2008a; 2008b) has conducted groundbreaking research in big history economics. By analyzing the evolution of human economic systems he has revealed what our economic system may be like by the end of the century.
Read MoreA Two-Planet Species
Two private companies have plans to colonize Mars this century: Mars-One and SpaceX. The colonization of Mars would be an important achievement for our species, and it is a necessary next step for our long-term safety. How realistic are these company’s plans? Will both be successful? What would this accomplishment mean for our future?
Read MoreSingularity Failure
I recently read an article by computer scientist Vernor Vinge titled “What If the Singularity Does NOT Happen.” I have become so accustomed to thinking about our future in the context of a technological singularity that a future without one seems strange. What would it mean for our species in the long-term?
Read MoreThe Universe's Adolescent Pictures
One of the biggest questions in cosmology today is centered around the accelerated-expansion of the universe. In order to better understand how the universe expands a team of scientists explored expansion during the “matter dominated” phase of the universe’s earlier history. Observations from this phase indicate the expansion is more complicated than previously believed and make it even more difficult to understand the ultimate fate of the universe.
Read MoreDear Universe, Sincerely Earth
In 1977, NASA launched the Voyager Interstellar Mission (VIM). During the first stages of this mission the Voyager 1 and 2 were programmed to explore the gas giant planets in the outer solar system. Today they are still traveling away from Earth and are close to reaching interstellar space. They will be the first human-made objects to enter interstellar space and carry with them an important message our species meant to represent the best of what our species is, and can be.
Read MoreRecent Discovery of an Earth-sized Exoplanet in Context
An Earth-sized planet was recently discovered in a star system 4.3 light years away from Earth. Despite being Earth-sized, it is far too close to its host star to be able to support life. However, this planet represents yet another continuation of an impressive trend in astronomy of finding increasingly more Earth-iike planets. If the pace of exoplanet discovery continues at the current rate and if planet finding technology continues to improve, will we find a 'second Earth' within the next 5 or 10 years?
Read MoreAn Idea to Change All Ideas
Ray Kurzweil is a prolific inventor and futurist that believes that humanity is reaching a new epoch in the history of the universe, life and humanity: the technological singularity. The technological singularity is a predicted point in time when humans and technology will completely merge to create a new type of intelligence. Is this singularity an inevitability? And if it is, what will happen afterwards?
Read MoreThe God Hypothesis
God is essentially a hypothesis. Throughout human history all populations assumed that the hypothesis was true (i.e., God exists). However, during the scientific revolution and enlightenment, humans were able to test The God Hypothesis for the first time. And it crumbled.
Read MoreUncomfortable Relationship Between Factual Knowledge and the Human Population
A recent National Science Foundation poll was conducted globally to better understand how factual knowledge is understood around the world. The poll revealed that some basic facts about our world and the universe are simply rejected, or not known by a large percentage of the population. This poll highlights the fact that we need more basic science education throughout public school.
Read MoreThe Inevitable Collision
Astronomers have recently confirmed that the Andromeda galaxy and the Milky Way galaxy are on an unavoidable collision course. These two gigantic galaxies should collide in within the next 3.5 billion years. If humans - or some future form of our species exists during this collision, how will we be effected? What will it mean for the Earth our our solar system?
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