Ep 34: David Brin on First Contact in 'Existence'

We speak with David Brin, science fiction icon, scientist, futurist and civilizational optimist.  We discuss his particular view of first contact with extraterrestrial intelligence, as portrayed in his 2012 novel 'Existence', along with his predictions about how artificial intelligence and virtual reality will change our world in the near future.  We discuss the UFO phenomenon (a sophisticated form of cat lasers for us to chase) and the unspeakably rude behaviour of these hypothetical silvery teaser punks.  David speaks directly to the artificial intelligences and possibly alien intelligences who may be inveigled in our internet.  We talk about Cixin Liu's 'The Three Body Problem' (there is no three body problem), the likely prevalence of life in the universe (90% of star systems), the Fermi Paradox, SETI, METI, and various forms that first contact with alien civilizations may take, among them Von Neumann machines and artificial alien intelligences stored in 'envoy eggs' orbiting our planet for millions of years. David tells us how to make the most powerful telescope in the universe, by turning the Kuiper Belt into a solar system sized lens.  Finally, he implores us to fight back against the ingrate habit of cynicism and pessimism rotting our global civilization today, and declares "I'm proud as hell and nothing can stop us! ... Be citizens of wonder, help save a good civilization."

David Brin's Webpage:
https://www.davidbrin.com/

'Existence' by David Brin:
https://www.davidbrin.com/existence.html

Video Trailer for David Brin's 'Existence':
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ANVT0hYbAfE

David Brin's 'Colony High' Series:
https://www.davidbrin.com/colonyhigh.html

David Brin's 'Out of Time' Series:
https://www.davidbrin.com/outoftime.html

David Brin's Advice to New Writers:
https://www.davidbrin.com/nonfiction/advice.html

David Brin on UFO's:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/calumchace/2023/01/25/why-are-ufos-still-blurry-a-conversation-with-david-brin/

David Brin on Why METI is a Bad Idea:
https://www.davidbrin.com/nonfiction/meti.html

NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts:
https://www.nasa.gov/stmd-the-nasa-innovative-advanced-concepts-niac/

The B612 Foundation:
https://b612foundation.org/

An Invitation to Extraterrestrial Intelligence:
https://ieti.org/

Buzzsprout (podcast host):
https://thescienceinthefiction.buzzsprout.com

Email:
thescienceinthefiction@gmail.com

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/743522660965257/

Twitter:
https://twitter.com/MartyK5463