Episode Three: Fermi

Where the heck is everyone?

Mentioned in the show:

• This American Life Episode 617: Fermi’s Paradox The show that started the conversation.


• Drake Equation


• Fermi Paradox


• Joining The Culture is a reference to an amazing series of books by Iain M. Banks.


• Proxima Centuri b is a planet in the habitable zone of Sol’s nearest neighbor.


• Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO), a way to listen in on gravity waves, which are a power better way to observe/communicate at long distance.


• Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA), a future trio of satellites, is another way to listen in on gravity waves.


• The Orbital Mechanics interview LISA Pathfinder PI Paul McNamera, who is very, very good at describing the observation of gravity waves, and describes the predecessor mission of LISA.


• Elementary, Dear Data is a Star Trek The Next Generation Episode.


• KIC 8462852, AKA Tabby’s Star


• WOW! Signal


• The Mechanics and Meaning of That Ol’ Dial-Up Modem Sound, a very, very good Atlantic article.


• Novikov Self-Consisency Principle


• Imperial Radch series by Ann Leckie. Trilogy box set for $40 at time of publishing.