Yes, I still do some research -- scholarly papers on evolution, communication, astronomy and exobiology... whether or not humanity is likely to be alone in the cosmos.... Though I've lapsed from doing very much science these days, I still try to maintain my "union card" by producing a scholarly paper or two. Here are some of those accessible by Internet.

SETI SEARCH INTENSIFIES: Did you think that SETI (the Search for Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence) was benign and scientific, as portrayed in the movie CONTACT? Well that was back in the 20th Century, when the programs, aims and goals were open and scientific. Alas, things have been gradually changing in the cult-ridden 21st Century. See an exposé of how a small and inward-looking community of radio astronomers aim to gamble with all of human posterity, based on a few questionable assumptions... without ever openly discussing their intention with colleagues or the world at-large.
     Indeed, the world is taking notice. A recent editorial in NATURE presented a capsule summary of the problem and the very openminded and vigorously fun Seti League (not to be confused with the Seti Institute) has posted a pdf version online. Let there be no confusion. The request that is on the table -- for a wide-open and broad-based discussion of this important issue at some prestigious and eclectic venue like (say) the AAAS -- is one that no reasonable person or group would refuse. Will such an open discussion take place? Allowing all perspectives to be heard and examined? Stay tuned.

ACTIVE SETI RESOURCE SITE: A collection of quotations and comments about the wisdom of broadcasting to the stars, written by great scientists, including many of the founders of SETI.

AN OPEN LETTER TO RESEARCHERS: I often meddle in my old professional stomping ground of science. And yes, I opine about modern politics (see A Dangerous World and I, blog). These two areas have meshed in recent years -- a good thing, when disinterested science informs public policy. And bad, when political fanaticism warps or ignores science. All parties in the passionate "culture war" are guilty of trumping evidence to serve dogmatic will. Can we ever return to an era of confident problem-solving? Not so long as indignation remains the worst addiction.

But then, might that be a clue? Could a single scientific breakthrough help get us past a rising mass frenzy of self-righteousness? I've long corresponded with experts, trying to find out. Now, I'll post my suggestion online, hoping to interest more of the right people. "An Open Letter to Researchers In the Fields of Addiction, Brain Chemistry, and Social Psychology" talks about the worst "drug addiction" -- one that crosses all political and social boundaries, warping our ability to negotiate like adults or solve problems for the sake of our children.

"Suppose that, instead of preaching to substance abusers that they should 'get high on life,' we could actually train them in self-triggered endorphin/dopamine-releasing methods? Methods the rest of us learn unconsciously in childhood. Better addictions that do not suffer from receptor down-regulating and other problems, such as depression or insatiability."

PARAPSYCHOLOGY: I have written about scientific appraisal of the subject of parapsychology -- originally for the site for the Public Television show Closer to Truth. Reprinted here, my article "Seeking a New Fulcrum: Parapsychology and the Need to Believe in a New Transcendence" offers some perspectives you may never have seen before.

"Perhaps parapsychology is something other than its enthusiasts imagine. Not a trail leading back to ancient wisdom, but a prediction. More an expression of human desire than an exploration of existing or ancient talents."

SCIENTIFIC SETI: The debate over the search for extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI) goes on. I have for some years served on the SETI Protocol Committee of the International Academy of Astronautics and the International Astronomical Union, trying to help come up with mature and scientifically sound guidelines, in case anyone detects a signal that may be of nonhuman intelligent origins. Learn about ways that amateurs help in the search, or read my curmudgeonly paper on "Altruism & Seti" warning that the universe has many ways to be dangerous, as well as kind.

"There are also aspects to altruism about which an idealist may not want to know. It has long been known that groups of animals and humans will -- under certain circumstances -- find ways to ensure that generosity is a widely exhibited trait, by either overtly or subtly reproving or disciplining those who behave selfishly."

THE GREAT SILENCE: In 1983, I wrote an essay -- now called a "classic"-- concerning the probability of contact with extraterrestrial intelligent life, including the possibility that such life might ever have visited Earth.

"The 'Great Silence': the Controversy Concerning Extraterrestrial Intelligent Life" (published in the Quarterly Journal of the Royal Astronomical Society) remains one of the only complete review articles ever written on this expansive subject. (Nearly all "exobiology" papers push a particular theory or viewpoint, instead of comparing and contrasting the entire range of possibilities.) Those interested in SETI or Contact or the notion of intelligent life in the cosmos will find this the most comprehensive work on the subject. For years this essay was unavailable outside of major university research libraries.

But now, thanks to gracious volunteers, it can be acquired at Jeroen van Baardwijk's site. (Because it contains many scientific formulas and other unique features, the article is not readable as an HTML file, but is in Adobe Acrobat (.pdf) format.)

'SILENCE' SIMPLIFIED: In the 1980s Analog Magazine published a popular adaptation of the much deeper 'classic' review of SETI called 'The Great Silence.' This popular article -- still as relevant as ever -- was titled "Xenology: The New Science of Asking Who's Out There?" and is reprinted on this site.

"With the arrival of the space age, resistance to 'science fictional' ideas was dealt a fatal blow. Those who had declared that 'spaceships' belonged only in comic books were caught flat footed. A new generation of scientists brought exobiological speculation out of the fringes and onto the pages of respectable journals. These men and women, who had proven their scientific credentials with solid research, came from an age group that didn't consider 'science fiction' a dirty word."

CONTACTING ALIENS: For a completely different look at the topic of First Contact with possible alien life, look into CONTACT -- a unique interdisciplinary conference which brings together some of the nation's foremost social and space scientists, science fiction writers and artists to exchange ideas, stimulate new perspectives and encourage serious, creative speculation about humanity's future onworld and offworld. Lively scenarios are worked out at these annual gatherings.

CONTACTING NASA: A conversation with Robert L. Forward and Jonathan Vos Post, moderated by NASA scientist (and Nebula Award winner) Geoff Landis, about the possibility of interstellar flight without faster than light travel (article originally appeared in the magazine Science Fiction Age).

"We already have an interstellar space probe, Voyager. It's leaving the solar system all right, but on this scale, it's departing at the rate that grass grows."

CONTACTING LURKERS: A much less all-encompassing technical article, and possibly more fun, is "An Open Letter to Alien Lurkers," my contribution to Professor Allen Tough's attempt at contacting extraterrestrials via the Internet!
     Out of all the possibilities inherent in SETI (the Search for Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence), one that was left unexplored till now has been the possibility of "lurkers"... alien machine intelligences sitting quietly somewhere in our solar system -- perhaps the asteroid belt -- listening to our radio and TV... and now possibly tapping into the World Wide Web. Hey, why not?
     Well, there may be some pretty good reasons why not! Still, while I'm skeptical, Allen's idea also intrigued me. Anyone interested -- and especially you alien lurkers who are dropping by this site right now -- please feel free to visit Professor Tough's site.

"True, aliens may be a lot nicer than 18th Century European colonialists were. But would you bet our future on it?"

HOW WE EVOLVE: A speculative paper, "Neoteny and Two-Way Sexual Selection in Human Evolution: Paleo-Anthropological Speculation," appeared in the Journal of Social and Evolutionary Systems (vol. 18(3), pp. 257-276, January 1996), speculating about some of the ways that human beings turned out to be so strange compared to other species.

"Human females began competing for mates because they needed the kind of competent, collaborative devotion received by female birds -- but which only a fraction of human males seem inclined or capable of delivering."