If_CS you_PPY find_VV0 all_DB of_IO this_DD1 a_RR21 bit_RR22 fuzzy_JJ and_CC unsatisfactory_JJ ,_, you_PPY are_VBR in_II good_JJ company_NN1 :_: Albert_NP1 Einstein_NP1 positively_RR disliked_VVN some_DD of_IO the_AT perceived_JJ implications_NN2 of_IO quantum_NN1 mechanics_NN2 and_CC the_AT Copenhagen_NP1 school_NN1 in_RR21 particular_RR22 ,_, especially_RR the_AT idea_NN1 that_CST the_AT universe_NN1 is_VBZ fundamentally_RR governed_VVN by_II random_JJ events_NN2 (_( he_PPHS1 famously_RR quipped_VVD that_CST "_" God_NP1 does_VDZ n't_XX play_VVI dice_NN ,_, "_" to_II which_DDQ Bohr_NP1 allegedly_RR replied_VVD that_CST he_PPHS1 wished_VVD Einstein_NP1 would_VM stop_VVI telling_VVG God_NP1 what_DDQ to_TO do_VDI )_) ._. 
Indeed_RR ,_, Einstein_NP1 spent_VVD much_DA1 of_IO the_AT time_NNT1 during_II the_AT last_MD part_NN1 of_IO his_APPGE career_NN1 trying_VVG to_TO come_VVI up_RP with_IW a_AT1 more_RGR solid_JJ interpretation_NN1 of_IO quantum_NN1 mechanics_NN2 ,_, one_PN1 that_CST would_VM recover_VVI some_DD sense_NN1 of_IO physical_JJ reality_NN1 beyond_II randomness_NN1 and_CC probabilities_NN2 (_( he_PPHS1 failed_VVD )_) ._. 
Other_JJ physicists_NN2 eventually_RR produced_VVD one_MC1 such_DA attempt_NN1 ,_, the_AT so-called_JJ many-worlds_NN2 interpretation_NN1 endorsed_VVN by_II Tegmark_NP1 at_II the_AT discussion_NN1 I_PPIS1 enjoyed_VVD at_II NYU_NP1 ._. 
The_AT many-worlds_NN2 theory_NN1 basically_RR maintains_VVZ that_CST the_AT reason_NN1 quantum_NN1 mechanics_NN2 seems_VVZ so_RG strange_JJ is_VBZ because_CS we_PPIS2 have_VH0 access_NN1 to_II only_RR one_MC1 of_IO an_AT1 infinite_JJ number_NN1 of_IO worlds_NN2 ._. 
From_II our_APPGE narrow_JJ perspective_NN1 ,_, the_AT output_NN1 of_IO certain_JJ measurements_NN2 (_( like_II that_DD1 of_IO the_AT double-slit_JJ experiment_NN1 )_) seems_VVZ random_JJ and_CC probabilistic_JJ ,_, but_CCB that_DD1 is_VBZ an_AT1 artifact_NN1 of_IO the_AT fact_NN1 that_CST ,_, literally_RR ,_, we_PPIS2 do_VD0 n't_XX have_VHI the_AT full_JJ picture_NN1 ._. 
In_II fact_NN1 ,_, proponents_NN2 of_IO the_AT many-worlds_NN2 hypothesis_NN1 say_VV0 ,_, reality_NN1 is_VBZ such_CS21 that_CS22 there_EX are_VBR infinite_JJ universes_NN2 ,_, all_DB differing_VVG to_II a_AT1 greater_JJR or_CC lesser_JJ extent_NN1 from_II each_PPX221 other_PPX222 ._. 
Because_II21 of_II22 this_DD1 infinity_NN1 of_IO possibilities_NN2 ,_, everything_PN1 that_CST can_VM happen_VVI does_VDZ in_II fact_NN1 happen_VV0 ,_, just_RR not_XX in_II our_APPGE little_JJ corner_NN1 of_IO the_AT "_" multiverse_JJ ,_, "_" the_AT only_JJ one_PN1 to_II which_DDQ we_PPIS2 have_VH0 access_NN1 ._. 
This_DD1 may_VM sound_VVI preposterously_RR Star_VV0 Trek-like_JJ ,_, but_CCB bear_VV0 in_II mind_NN1 that_CST it_PPH1 is_VBZ a_AT1 mainstream_JJ view_NN1 among_II fundamental_JJ physicists_NN2 ._. 
Not_XX so_RG mainstream_JJ ,_, and_CC yet_RR increasingly_RR popular_JJ ,_, is_VBZ the_AT third_MD idea_NN1 we_PPIS2 will_VM consider_VVI briefly_RR :_: string_NN1 theory_NN1 ,_, supported_VVN by_II Brian_NP1 Greene_NP1 at_II the_AT NYU_NN1 event_NN1 and_CC beautifully_RR explained_VVN in_II his_APPGE book_NN1 The_AT Elegant_JJ Universe_NN1 ._. 
This_DD1 is_VBZ where_RRQ things_NN2 have_VH0 the_AT potential_JJ to_TO get_VVI even_RR further_RRR remote_JJ from_II science_NN1 proper_JJ ,_, despite_II the_AT fact_NN1 that_CST people_NN working_VVG on_II string_NN1 theory_NN1 are_VBR unquestionably_RR legitimate_JJ scientists_NN2 doing_VDG some_DD of_IO the_AT most_RGT cutting-edge_JJ work_NN1 in_II their_APPGE discipline_NN1 ._. 
In_II fact_NN1 ,_, it_PPH1 is_VBZ so_RG cutting_JJ edge_NN1 that_CST some_DD consider_VV0 it_PPH1 to_TO be_VBI beyond_II the_AT line_NN1 that_CST separates_VVZ science_NN1 from_II nonscience_NN1 ._. 
First_MD we_PPIS2 need_VV0 to_TO understand_VVI why_RRQ people_NN are_VBR attempting_VVG to_TO construct_VVI a_AT1 new_JJ theory_NN1 of_IO the_AT physical_JJ sciences_NN2 at_II the_AT same_DA time_NNT1 that_CST everyone_PN1 acknowledges_VVZ the_AT spectacular_JJ successes_NN2 of_IO the_AT two_MC currently_RR dominant_JJ theories_NN2 in_II physics_NN1 ,_, quantum_NN1 mechanics_NN2 and_CC general_JJ relativity_NN1 ._. 
The_AT problem_NN1 is_VBZ that_CST these_DD2 two_MC theories_NN2 work_VV0 very_RG well_RR when_CS applied_VVN to_II their_APPGE proper_JJ domains_NN2 ,_, respectively_RR ,_, the_AT very_RG microscopic_JJ and_CC the_AT very_RG macroscopic_JJ worlds_NN2 ._. 
That_REX21 is_REX22 ,_, quantum_NN1 mechanics_NN2 does_VDZ a_AT1 beautiful_JJ job_NN1 at_II predicting_VVG how_RRQ matter_NN1 behaves_VVZ at_II the_AT scale_NN1 of_IO quarks_NN2 ,_, electrons_NN2 ,_, photons_NN2 ,_, and_CC the_AT like_JJ ._. 
Relativity_NN1 ,_, on_II the_AT other_JJ hand_NN1 ,_, works_VVZ very_RG nicely_RR when_CS it_PPH1 is_VBZ a_AT1 question_NN1 of_IO describing_VVG the_AT behavior_NN1 of_IO systems_NN2 like_II planets_NN2 ,_, galaxies_NN2 ,_, and_RR31 so_RR32 forth_RR33 ._. 
However_RR ,_, when_CS one_PN1 tries_VVZ to_TO apply_VVI quantum_NN1 mechanics_NN2 to_II typically_RR relativistic_JJ problems_NN2 --_NN1 such_II21 as_II22 developing_VVG a_AT1 quantum_NN1 theory_NN1 of_IO gravity_NN1 --_NN1 the_AT two_MC theories_NN2 behave_VV0 very_RG differently_RR and_CC their_APPGE predictions_NN2 diverge_VV0 ._. 
The_AT same_DA happens_VVZ if_CS one_PN1 attempts_VVZ to_TO apply_VVI relativity_NN1 to_II the_AT subnuclear_JJ world_NN1 ._. 
The_AT logical_JJ conclusion_NN1 is_VBZ that_CST either_RR one_MC1 of_IO the_AT two_MC theories_NN2 is_VBZ seriously_RR flawed_JJ ,_, or_CC that_CST they_PPHS2 both_DB2 are_VBR ,_, or_CC at_II the_AT very_RG least_RRT that_DD1 they_PPHS2 are_VBR incomplete_JJ ._. 
In_II any_DD case_NN1 ,_, it_PPH1 seems_VVZ clear_JJ to_II physicists_NN2 today_RT that_CST there_EX is_VBZ something_PN1 amiss_RR ,_, hence_RR the_AT search_NN1 for_IF a_AT1 so-called_JJ final_JJ theory_NN1 of_IO everything_PN1 ,_, a_AT1 rather_RG boastful_JJ name_NN1 for_IF a_AT1 framework_NN1 that_CST would_VM unify_VVI our_APPGE understanding_NN1 of_IO the_AT basic_JJ forces_NN2 of_IO the_AT universe_NN1 and_CC describe_VV0 all_DB the_AT particles_NN2 of_IO which_DDQ matter_NN1 is_VBZ made_VVN ._. 
Enter_VV0 string_NN1 theory_NN1 ._. 
It_PPH1 is_VBZ based_VVN on_II the_AT idea_NN1 that_CST the_AT known_JJ subatomic_JJ particles_NN2 are_VBR not_XX the_AT most_RGT fundamental_JJ constituents_NN2 of_IO matter_NN1 ._. 
Rather_RR ,_, the_AT stuff_NN1 of_IO which_DDQ everything_PN1 is_VBZ made_VVN are_VBR even_RR stranger_JJR objects_NN2 termed_VVD "_" strings_NN2 ,_, "_" which_DDQ take_VV0 the_AT properties_NN2 of_IO various_JJ particles/waves_NN2 depending_II21 on_II22 the_AT frequency_NN1 at_II which_DDQ the_AT strings_NN2 vibrate_VV0 ._. 
This_DD1 notion_NN1 has_VHZ a_AT1 variety_NN1 of_IO strange_JJ consequences_NN2 ,_, including_VVG that_CST the_AT universe_NN1 actually_RR possesses_VVZ eleven_MC ,_, not_XX just_RR four_MC dimensions_NN2 (_( the_AT three_MC familiar_JJ spatial_JJ dimensions_NN2 plus_II time_NNT1 )_) ._. 
Another_DD1 consequence_NN1 is_VBZ that_CST if_CS string_NN1 theory_NN1 (_( which_DDQ is_VBZ actually_RR a_AT1 family_NN1 of_IO related_JJ theories_NN2 differing_VVG in_II some_DD of_IO their_APPGE details_NN2 )_) is_VBZ correct_JJ ,_, then_RT physicists_NN2 would_VM find_VVI themselves_PPX2 with_IW a_AT1 mathematically_RR internally_RR coherent_JJ quantum_NN1 theory_NN1 of_IO gravity_NN1 ,_, something_PN1 they_PPHS2 have_VH0 been_VBN after_II now_RT for_IF several_DA2 decades_NNT2 ._. 
String_NN1 theory_NN1 ,_, if_CS you_PPY think_VV0 about_II it_PPH1 ,_, is_VBZ a_AT1 beautiful_JJ idea_NN1 :_: it_PPH1 means_VVZ that_CST everything_PN1 in_II the_AT universe_NN1 is_VBZ made_VVN of_IO just_RR one_MC1 kind_NN1 of_IO thing_NN1 and_CC that_CST this_DD1 fundamental_JJ aspect_NN1 of_IO matter_NN1 takes_VVZ a_AT1 variety_NN1 (_( not_XX an_AT1 infinite_JJ variety_NN1 ,_, mind_VV0 you_PPY )_) of_IO forms_NN2 ,_, depending_II21 on_II22 a_AT1 simple_JJ property_NN1 such_II21 as_II22 its_APPGE vibration_NN1 frequency_NN1 ._. 
It_PPH1 is_VBZ so_RG elegant_JJ an_AT1 idea_NN1 that_CST it_PPH1 deserves_VVZ to_TO be_VBI true_JJ ._. 
But_CCB is_VBZ it_PPH1 ?_? 
Therein_RR lies_VVZ the_AT problem_NN1 :_: at_II the_AT moment_NN1 ,_, at_RR21 least_RR22 ,_, string_NN1 theory_NN1 does_VDZ not_XX seem_VVI to_TO make_VVI any_DD empirically_RR testable_JJ predictions_NN2 that_CST both_DB2 differ_VV0 from_II those_DD2 of_IO other_JJ competing_JJ theories_NN2 and_CC that_DD1 can_VM conceivably_RR be_VBI evaluated_VVN in_II actual_JJ experiments_NN2 ._. 
If_CS one_PN1 defines_VVZ science_NN1 as_II a_AT1 type_NN1 of_IO inquiry_NN1 into_II nature_NN1 characterized_VVN by_II the_AT availability_NN1 of_IO empirically_RR testable_JJ hypotheses_NN2 ,_, then_RT string_VV0 theory_NN1 is_VBZ ,_, strictly_RR speaking_VVG ,_, not_XX science_NN1 ._. 
Perhaps_RR ,_, then_RT ,_, we_PPIS2 should_VM think_VVI of_IO string_NN1 theory_NN1 ,_, the_AT multiverse_JJ interpretation_NN1 of_IO quantum_NN1 mechanics_NN2 ,_, and_CC similar_JJ intellectual_JJ pursuits_NN2 as_RG more_RGR akin_JJ to_II philosophical_JJ investigations_NN2 ,_, albeit_CS mathematically_RR rigorous_JJ and_CC informed_VVN by_II the_AT empirical_JJ science_NN1 ._. 
Of_RR21 course_RR22 ,_, if_CS one_PN1 begins_VVZ with_IW the_AT common_JJ assumption_NN1 that_CST physics_NN1 is_VBZ not_XX only_RR the_AT queen_NN1 of_IO the_AT sciences_NN2 ,_, but_CCB that_DD1 science_NN1 is_VBZ in_II turn_NN1 the_AT sovereign_NN1 of_IO all_DB intellectual_JJ disciplines_NN2 ,_, then_RT it_PPH1 is_VBZ an_AT1 insufferable_JJ insult_NN1 for_IF string_NN1 theory_NN1 to_TO be_VBI "_" downgraded_VVN "_" to_II mere_JJ philosophy_NN1 (_( or_CC even_RR to_II purely_RR mathematical_JJ work_NN1 )_) ._. 
Obviously_RR ,_, this_DD1 is_VBZ not_XX to_TO argue_VVI that_CST all_DB areas_NN2 of_IO logical_JJ and_CC philosophical_JJ analysis_NN1 will_VM eventually_RR transform_VVI themselves_PPX2 into_II science_NN1 ,_, regardless_RR of_IO how_RGQ much_DA1 time_NNT1 or_CC technological_JJ advance_NN1 one_PN1 allows_VVZ ._. 
For_REX21 example_REX22 ,_, despite_II the_AT fact_NN1 that_CST biology_NN1 provides_VVZ some_DD insights_NN2 into_II human_JJ concepts_NN2 of_IO morality_NN1 and_CC aesthetics_NN1 ,_, it_PPH1 is_VBZ hard_JJ to_TO imagine_VVI simply_RR turning_VVG the_AT latter_DA two_MC disciplines_NN2 over_RP to_II science_NN1 departments_NN2 ,_, because_CS they_PPHS2 involve_VV0 human_JJ values_NN2 ,_, not_XX just_RR matters_NN2 of_IO fact_NN1 ._. 
Moreover_RR ,_, it_PPH1 may_VM simply_RR well_RR be_VBI the_AT case_NN1 that_CST we_PPIS2 will_VM never_RR find_VVI a_AT1 way_NN1 to_TO test_VVI the_AT idea_NN1 that_CST there_EX are_VBR multiple_JJ universes_NN2 out_RP there_RL ._. 
Just_RR because_CS we_PPIS2 are_VBR curious_JJ animals_NN2 ,_, there_EX is_VBZ no_AT assurance_NN1 that_CST nature_NN1 behaves_VVZ in_II a_AT1 way_NN1 that_CST allows_VVZ us_PPIO2 to_TO get_VVI answers_NN2 to_II every_AT1 mystery_NN1 that_CST happens_VVZ to_TO intrigue_VVI us_PPIO2 ._. 
SETI_NP1 :_: How_RRQ Do_VD0 We_PPIS2 Find_VV0 Out_RP If_CS Anybody_PN1 Is_VBZ Out_RP There_RL ?_? 
Arguably_RR ,_, people_NN have_VH0 been_VBN wondering_VVG about_II life_NN1 in_II the_AT cosmos_NN1 outside_II Earth_NN1 ever_RR since_CS the_AT human_JJ species_NN has_VHZ been_VBN able_JK to_TO wonder_VVI about_II anything_PN1 at_RR21 all_RR22 ._. 
Even_RR worshiping_VVG stars_NN2 and_CC planets_NN2 as_CSA gods_NN2 can_VM be_VBI seen_VVN as_II a_AT1 way_NN1 to_TO project_VVI agency_NN1 ,_, and_CC therefore_RR intelligence_NN1 ,_, outside_II21 of_II22 the_AT narrow_JJ confines_NN2 of_IO our_APPGE own_DA home_NN1 among_II the_AT stars_NN2 ._. 
Until_CS the_AT twentieth_MD century_NNT1 ,_, however_RR ,_, the_AT question_NN1 of_IO extraterrestrial_JJ intelligence_NN1 was_VBDZ a_AT1 matter_NN1 of_IO philosophical_JJ debate_NN1 and_CC speculation_NN1 ._. 
SETI_NP1 ,_, as_CSA the_AT quest_NN1 is_VBZ now_RT so_RG often_RR referred_VVN to_II ,_, entered_VVD the_AT scientific_JJ discourse_NN1 in_II 1959_MC ,_, when_RRQ Giuseppe_NP1 Cocconi_NP1 and_CC Philip_NP1 Morrison_NP1 ,_, two_MC physicists_NN2 at_II Cornell_NP1 University_NN1 ,_, published_VVD a_AT1 paper_NN1 in_II Nature_NN1 arguing_VVG that_DD1 human_JJ technology_NN1 was_VBDZ now_RT advanced_VVN enough_RR to_TO actively_RR search_VVI for_IF radio_NN1 signals_NN2 emitted_VVD by_II other_JJ civilizations_NN2 in_II the_AT galaxy_NN1 ._. 
The_AT following_JJ year_NNT1 ,_, radio_NN1 astronomer_NN1 Frank_NP1 Drake_NP1 started_VVD the_AT short-lived_JJ but_CCB historically_RR important_JJ project_NN1 OzMa_NP1 ,_, during_II which_DDQ he_PPHS1 used_VVD the_AT radiotelescope_NN1 at_II Green_JJ Bank_NN1 in_II West_NP1 Virginia_NP1 to_TO actually_RR listen_VVI and_CC ascertain_VVI whether_CSW anyone_PN1 was_VBDZ trying_VVG to_TO communicate_VVI ._. 
Project_NP1 OzMa_NP1 did_VDD not_XX discover_VVI any_DD sign_NN1 of_IO extraterrestrial_JJ intelligence_NN1 ,_, and_CC neither_RR have_VH0 any_DD of_IO its_APPGE successors_NN2 so_RG far_RR ,_, including_II extensive_JJ searches_NN2 conducted_VVN in_II the_AT Soviet_JJ Union_NN1 during_II the_AT cold_JJ war_NN1 ,_, NASA_NP1 's_GE Project_NN1 Cyclops_NN2 ,_, NASA_NP1 's_GE Project_NN1 Phoenix_NP1 ,_, and_CC University_NN1 of_IO California_NP1 ,_, Berkeley_NP1 's_GE Project_NN1 SERENDIP_NN1 ,_, among_II others_NN2 ._. 
There_EX are_VBR currently_RR several_DA2 efforts_NN2 along_II similar_JJ lines_NN2 ,_, the_AT most_RGT ambitious_JJ of_IO which_DDQ is_VBZ the_AT search_NN1 undertaken_VVN using_VVG the_AT newly_RR constructed_VVN (_( in_II fact_NN1 ,_, still_RR under_II construction_NN1 at_II the_AT time_NNT1 of_IO this_DD1 writing_NN1 )_) Allan_NP1 Telescope_NN1 Array_NN1 ,_, the_AT first_MD group_NN1 of_IO radiotelescopes_NN2 expressly_RR dedicated_VVN to_II a_AT1 SETI_NP1 project_NN1 ._. 
Moreover_RR ,_, millions_NNO2 of_IO people_NN are_VBR now_RT contributing_VVG to_II SETI_NP1 by_II virtue_NN1 of_IO the_AT ingenious_JJ "_" SETI_NP1 at_II Home_NN1 "_" project_NN1 ,_, which_DDQ distributes_VVZ software_NN1 that_CST anyone_PN1 can_VM acquire_VVI for_IF free7_FO and_CC run_VVN on_II any_DD personal_JJ computer_NN1 ._. 
The_AT software_NN1 periodically_RR downloads_VVZ data_NN from_II the_AT SETI_NP1 project_NN1 on_II your_APPGE machine_NN1 ,_, works_VVZ in_II the_AT background_NN1 (_( or_CC as_II a_AT1 screensaver_NN1 )_) to_TO analyze_VVI it_PPH1 ,_, and_CC then_RT sends_VVZ it_PPH1 back_RP to_II the_AT team_NN1 at_II Berkeley_NP1 ,_, where_CS processed_JJ data_NN from_II all_RR over_II the_AT world_NN1 are_VBR compared_VVN ,_, searching_VVG for_IF a_AT1 radio_NN1 signal_NN1 that_CST can_VM not_XX be_VBI attributed_VVN to_II natural_JJ phenomena_NN2 ._. 
Hundreds_NNO2 of_IO millions_NNO2 of_IO dollars_NNU2 ,_, decades_NNT2 of_IO active_JJ research_NN1 by_II several_DA2 teams_NN2 of_IO scientists_NN2 ,_, and_CC millions_NNO2 of_IO hours_NNT2 of_IO computer_NN1 time_NNT1 have_VH0 been_VBN spent_VVN ._. 
So_RG far_RR ,_, however_RR ,_, nothing_PN1 has_VHZ turned_VVN up_RP ._. 
Is_VBZ this_DD1 science_NN1 ?_? 
SETI_NP1 certainly_RR does_VDZ meet_VVI the_AT minimum_JJ criteria_NN2 for_IF science_NN1 that_CST we_PPIS2 have_VH0 identified_VVN so_RG far_RR :_: it_PPH1 is_VBZ based_VVN on_II the_AT ability_NN1 to_TO conduct_VVI systematic_JJ observations_NN2 ,_, often_RR of_IO particularly_RR promising_JJ star_NN1 systems_NN2 and_CC at_II radio_NN1 frequencies_NN2 deemed_VVN more_RGR likely_JJ to_TO be_VBI used_VVN for_IF interstellar_JJ communication_NN1 ;_; and_CC it_PPH1 allows_VVZ for_IF the_AT possibility_NN1 of_IO empirical_JJ confirmation_NN1 of_IO its_APPGE central_JJ hypothesis_NN1 (_( namely_REX ,_, that_CST there_EX is_VBZ intelligent_JJ life_NN1 out_RP there_RL )_) ._. 
The_AT fact_NN1 that_CST such_DA a_AT1 hypothesis_NN1 has_VHZ so_RG far_RR failed_VVN to_TO be_VBI supported_VVN ,_, however_RR ,_, puts_VVZ SETI_NP1 in_II a_AT1 different_JJ category_NN1 from_II ordinary_JJ science_NN1 ,_, because_CS there_EX is_VBZ no_AT reasonable_JJ way_NN1 to_TO disprove_VVI the_AT hypothesis_NN1 either_RR ,_, given_CS21 that_CS22 the_AT search_NN1 is_VBZ more_RGR akin_JJ to_II looking_VVG for_IF a_AT1 needle_NN1 in_II a_AT1 proverbial_JJ (_( and_CC huge_JJ !_! )_) haystack_VV0 ._. 
We_PPIS2 have_VH0 seen_VVN at_II the_AT beginning_NN1 of_IO this_DD1 book_NN1 that_CST falsification_NN1 ,_, the_AT ability_NN1 of_IO a_AT1 hypothesis_NN1 to_TO be_VBI rejected_VVN ,_, at_RR21 least_RR22 potentially_RR ,_, is_VBZ not_XX necessarily_RR the_AT all-encompassing_JJ solution_NN1 to_II the_AT demarcation_NN1 problem_NN1 that_CST Popper_NN1 thought_VVD it_PPH1 was_VBDZ ,_, because_CS confirmation_NN1 also_RR plays_VVZ an_AT1 important_JJ role_NN1 in_II science_NN1 ._. 
As_II a_AT1 result_NN1 ,_, hypotheses_NN2 are_VBR usually_RR given_VVN a_AT1 fair_JJ chance_NN1 to_TO succeed_VVI despite_II initially_RR negative_JJ results_NN2 ._. 
But_CCB in_II the_AT case_NN1 of_IO SETI_NP1 ,_, negative_JJ results_NN2 are_VBR what_DDQ are_VBR expected_VVN most_DAT of_IO the_AT time_NNT1 ,_, perhaps_RR even_RR forever_RT ,_, regardless_RR of_IO the_AT truth_NN1 of_IO the_AT central_JJ hypothesis_NN1 ._. 
This_DD1 raises_VVZ the_AT question_NN1 :_: when_RRQ will_VM SETI_NP1 researchers_NN2 think_VV0 that_CST enough_DD negatives_NN2 have_VH0 been_VBN accumulated_VVN to_TO reject_VVI the_AT hypothesis_NN1 of_IO existence_NN1 of_IO other_JJ technological_JJ civilizations_NN2 ?_? 
If_CS the_AT answer_NN1 is_VBZ that_CST such_DA hypothesis_NN1 can_VM never_RR be_VBI rejected_VVN ,_, regardless_RR of_IO the_AT empirical_JJ results_NN2 ,_, that_DD1 pushes_VVZ SETI_NP1 uncomfortably_RR close_RR to_II the_AT status_NN1 of_IO pseudoscience_NN1 ._. 
Let_VV0 us_PPIO2 step_VVI back_RP for_IF a_AT1 moment_NN1 and_CC reexamine_VVI each_DD1 of_IO the_AT terms_NN2 in_II the_AT Drake_NN1 equation_NN1 ,_, not_XX from_II the_AT point_NN1 of_IO view_NN1 of_IO what_DDQ might_VM be_VBI the_AT best_JJT current_JJ estimate_NN1 ,_, but_CCB of_IO whether_CSW they_PPHS2 are_VBR estimable_JJ at_RR21 all_RR22 ;_; if_CS they_PPHS2 are_VBR not_XX ,_, then_RT the_AT whole_JJ idea_NN1 of_IO using_VVG the_AT Drake_NN1 equation_NN1 as_II a_AT1 theoretical_JJ underpinning_VVG for_IF SETI_NP1 runs_VVZ into_II serious_JJ trouble_NN1 ._. 
R*_FO ,_, the_AT rate_NN1 of_IO star_NN1 formation_NN1 in_II the_AT galaxy_NN1 ,_, is_VBZ something_PN1 astronomers_NN2 have_VH0 methods_NN2 to_TO estimate_VVI ,_, at_RR21 least_RR22 approximately_RR ._. 
Although_CS one_PN1 has_VHZ to_TO make_VVI assumptions_NN2 about_II how_RGQ constant_JJ (_( or_CC not_XX )_) the_AT rate_NN1 is_VBZ over_II the_AT lifespan_NN1 of_IO the_AT galaxy_NN1 ,_, this_DD1 is_VBZ no_AT different_JJ from_II estimating_VVG any_DD uncertain_JJ parameter_NN1 in_II other_JJ branches_NN2 of_IO science_NN1 (_( say_VV0 ,_, for_REX21 instance_REX22 ,_, the_AT rate_NN1 of_IO production_NN1 of_IO new_JJ species_NN in_II biology_NN1 )_) ._. 
There_EX are_VBR various_JJ reasons_NN2 why_RRQ we_PPIS2 have_VH0 not_XX transmitted_VVN repeatedly_RR and_CC toward_II a_AT1 variety_NN1 of_IO targets_NN2 ,_, beginning_VVG with_IW a_AT1 dearth_NN1 of_IO political_JJ will_NN1 (_( or_CC even_RR downright_JJ paranoia_NN1 at_II revealing_VVG our_APPGE position_NN1 in_II the_AT sky_NN1 !_! )_) ,_, and_CC therefore_RR lack_NN1 of_IO funding_NN1 ._. 
But_CCB also_RR the_AT obvious_JJ absence_NN1 of_IO a_AT1 tangible_JJ reward_NN1 :_: should_VM we_PPIS2 ever_RR succeed_VVI in_II capturing_VVG an_AT1 extraterrestrial_JJ signal_NN1 ,_, the_AT payoff_NN1 would_VM be_VBI enormous_JJ regardless_RR of_IO what_DDQ the_AT message_NN1 said_VVD :_: it_PPH1 would_VM be_VBI confirmation_NN1 that_CST there_EX is_VBZ indeed_RR other_JJ intelligent_JJ life_NN1 out_RP there_RL ,_, which_DDQ would_VM have_VHI tremendous_JJ psychological_JJ ,_, philosophical_JJ ,_, and_CC even_RR theological_JJ consequences_NN2 ._. 
But_CCB what_DDQ 's_VBZ in_II it_PPH1 for_IF a_AT1 team_NN1 of_IO scientists_NN2 who_PNQS send_VV0 ,_, rather_CS21 than_CS22 listen_VVI to_II ,_, messages_NN2 ?_? 
They_PPHS2 are_VBR certainly_RR not_XX going_VVGK to_TO be_VBI around_RP if_CS and_CC when_CS an_AT1 answer_NN1 comes_VVZ back_RP ,_, making_VVG the_AT whole_JJ thing_NN1 much_RR ,_, much_RR worse_JJR than_CSN the_AT proverbial_JJ message_NN1 in_II a_AT1 bottle_NN1 ._. 
If_CS that_DD1 sort_NN1 of_IO rather_RG selfish_JJ ,_, or_CC at_RR21 least_RR22 self-absorbed_JJ ,_, human_JJ psychology_NN1 permeates_VVZ the_AT galaxy_NN1 (_( again_RT ,_, following_VVG the_AT principle_NN1 of_IO mediocrity_NN1 )_) ,_, then_RT we_PPIS2 are_VBR not_XX very_RG likely_JJ to_TO get_VVI a_AT1 hello_NN1 any_DD time_NNT1 soon_RR ._. 
