Cosmos Episode 12: Encyclopedia Galactica Part 6 of 7

Are there alien intelligences? How could we communicate with them? What about UFOs? The answers to these questions take us to Egypt to decode ancient hieroglyphics, to the largest radio telescope on Earth and, in the Spaceship of the Imagination, to visit other civilizations in space.

Dr. Sagan answers questions such as: "What is the life span of a planetary civilization?" and "Will we one day hook up with a network of civilizations in the Milky Way galaxy?"

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Cosmos
• Sagan
• Encyclopedia
• Galactica
• Episode

[TheEternalObject]

If aliens really are monitoring our media transmissions I hope they're picking up "Cosmos". I can't think of a better embassador for earth than Carl Sagan.

[pigu0606]

where's the fun, and most importantly the use, if superior civilizations dropped fun facts of the cosmos on our laps without having us work for the knowledge?

kind of like giving a 9 year old boy the keys to your car and expecting him to go somewhere with it and change for the better... perhaps the nearest ice cream parlor and back?...

most likely the child hasn't yet acquired the prudence, wisdom, and responsibility at such age of immaturity.

[MrBrendanRizzo]

...So this hypothetical galactic civilization discovered Earth about 30 years ago? The producers should've better checked their scale or unit conversions.

[misinglink15]

I may not ever get to live to meet an alien civilization or step on another planet but at least I was born in humanity's "space beginnings" where were slowly preparing for the stars. The data recieved from the hubble telescope and kepler probe alone gives me great joy to be alive in these times!

[wwekinji]

6:44 ... probability of survival 40% >_<

[Totaltwist]

Encyclopedia Galactica

Entry: Earth

Information : Mostly Harmless.

[TheAmorri]

@xxmichoxx

Well it's hardly surprising.  ^^

[coperone2]

What a great documantary!

Anyway, If you wish to help SETI (Search for Extraterrestrial Inteligence) visit Seti@home (type that on Google)

I'm helping. They are using my computer to enhance their systems and they are sending me data that my computer analyse.

[willd3rbeast]

CARL SAGAN FTW

[nanomagnetic]

I really enjoyed the tone I thought I heard @4:24

"There may be cultures that disassemble other planets in their system and [pay the lowest bidder to] reassemble them around their world to make a ring [just because] or a shell [of impenetrable awesome] with their planet inside."

[maddhattertime]

@TheEternalObject If they were picking up our media transmissions, I'd be appalled by the idea of them watching humanity as seen on television. Can you Imagine what they would think if they could watch and understand "My super sweet 16" or another similarly repulsive show (of which there are certainly plenty)

[SpecterReflector]

Humans have come on leaps and bounds, I think our greatest challenge is the energy crises and the lack of cultural understanding. technology is improving, but I think our impulses have to catch up- most people are oblivious to the growing levels of knowledge about the universe and everything, largely thanks to those great social chains of knowledge: public schools and television. society is 200 years behind the technology on even the most advanced nations.