Is there any form of intelligent life in the universe besides ourselves? Some would argue that it would be arrogant to assume that we are the only ones, but so far there hasn’t really been much concrete proof to suggest otherwise. However it has not stopped many from looking for it, and recently renowned scientist Stephen Hawking has come forward to lend his expertise and support.Hawking will be backing a $100 million effort initiated by the Breakthrough Initiatives group, which was founded by Yuri Milner, a US-based billionaire who believes that technology has evolved to the point where it is possible for us to listen out for other intelligent beings on a proper scientific footing.
According to Hawking who spoke at the launch, “Somewhere in the cosmos, perhaps, intelligent life may be watching these lights of ours, aware of what they mean. Or do our lights wander a lifeless cosmos – unseen beacons, announcing that here, on one rock, the Universe discovered its existence. Either way, there is no bigger question. It’s time to commit to finding the answer – to search for life beyond Earth. We are alive. We are intelligent. We must know.”
Of course whether or not this effort will yield any results remains to be seen, but with so many great minds and money behind it, hopefully we will walk away and learn something new at the very least.
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