Are we searching for the wrong kinds of signals from aliens?
Science fiction author Gregory Benford and his twin brother, the
physicist James Benford, say that scientists are tackling the
search for intelligent life as if aliens had 1960s-era
technology. Here are their suggestions for updating the search
for ET.  According to MSNBC, which has a terrific, lengthy
article on the brothers' research:  Assuming that aliens would
strive to optimize costs, limit waste and make their signaling
technology more efficient, Benford and his twin, James a fellow
physicist who specializes in high-powered microwave technology
suggest the signals would not be steadily blasted out in all
directions. Extraterrestrials would be more likely to send
narrow "searchlight" beams delivered in pulses.  "This approach
is more like Twitter and less like 'War and Peace,' " said James
Benford, founder and president of Microwave Sciences Inc., in
Lafayette, Calif. The Benford twins, along with James' son
Dominic, a NASA scientist, detailed