"Nonetheless, if SETI finds a repeatable signal -- a true non-natural communication
  that can be verified by multiple detections -- astrobiology's biggest question would
  be answered in a flash. But it would also raise an issue that not too many
  astrobiologists were thinking about. 

  As Tarter - director of the SETI Institute's Search for extraterrestrial Intelligence
  - pointed out, civilization on Earth represents the lowest form of technological
  advancement by the SETI definition. We've only been able to communicate electronically
  for a few decades. If there is anyone else out there with technology, sheer odds suggest
  they've had it much, much longer than we have. To them, we might be viewed as the scum
  of the universe.

 "We really are the dumbest folks in the galaxy," Tarter told her esteemed colleagues.


 -------------------------------------------------

  "Perceptions" note:

  Not really - although mostly straightforward logic.  We know there are graduations,
  some deceptive, of so-called "intelligence" -

  Folk behaving "naturally" - humanely - evolve to altruism, increasing their mentality
  and survivability - from

  http://www.perceptions.couk.com/genes8a.html & links

  Others using "cunning" & "selfishness" - evolve to greed, coldness and ugliness - from

  http://www.perceptions.couk.com/evol.html & links

  Exactly who we find will depend on what stage of evolution they've reached -

  Folk who've continued the trend _we_ are following - towards altruism - will be more
  altruistic - result: non-interference

  But animals that are at the stage of our _rulers_ - greedy and ruthless - will be cruel
  and acquisitive
       
  result: colonizers & slavers
  
  Check out 
  http://www.perceptions.couk.com/uef/setigift2.html#INTELLIGENCE

  -------------------------------

  In the human setting we like Frank Herbert's definition of `physics, morals & evolution debate'
  (which seems to be hotting-up even now):-

  Purely material systems are subject to the 2nd Law of Thermo-dynamics:-

  i)  Chaos - entropy (disorganization / disruption) increases

  ii) Stasis - (`control' or rigidity) merely builds-up pressures leading to explosion and drop
      into Chaos

  iii) Life - (organics) defies 2nd Law (& chaos) by increasing its organization and order;
       evolution seems compelled to push for complexity / co-operation / sociable beings and
       eventual altruism (the strongest social motivation)

 [paraphrased from Frank Herbert's "The Godmakers"]

 see http://www.perceptions.couk.com/subindex.html#herbert
      
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              FURTHER REFERENCES

 GO - "search perceptions" - in SEARCH-ENGINE


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