What Happens When We Finally Find Extra-Terrestrials

The man in the know is Paul Davies, chair of SETI’s Post-Detection Task Group. He spoke to the World Science Festival about the odds of finding extra terrestrial civilizations, the benefits and risks of possible communication, and what he'd ask the aliens if he had the opportunity. Read the excellent "lightly edited" transcript from WSF here.

(When Neil deGrasse-Tyson spoke at the 2013 Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum Annual Gala - via Skype - he was asked what he'd say to an extra terrestrial if he encountered one. I don't remember his direct response, but I remember the tangential issue he raised: Neil deGrasse-Tyson wouldn't reach out to shake an ET's hand, for fear of what appendage the ET might customarily extend in response.)

"Dante's Peak is probably the best volcano movie out there." - A volcanologist.

Reverse-chronological history of my scientific life:

I'm on my way to the University of Cambridge to get a Masters in Polar Studies
...which I was inspired to do after working for the US Antarctic Program
...where I ended up because I'm fascinated by the power of nature
...which I first discovered in 8th grade Earth Science
...when I watched Dante's Peak.

I am a steadfast, even zealous, fan. I've received my fair share of mockery for this fact, but now, the ultimate vindication:
"Overall, Dante’s Peak is probably the best volcano movie out there." - Rebecca Williams, Volcanologist at the University of Hull. "It dramatizes the real-life problems that scientists and communities face when a volcano becomes active. The film depicts many of the different volcanic events really well (though it mixes up types of eruptive style) and captures many of the real volcanic hazards that exist around the world."

Watch the movie. Love the movie. Read Williams's full review here. 

Storm Chasing on Saturn

Drool.