Search for ET Life: Social Justifications Brittany Zhang, John Fernandez, Alicia White, Michelle Lee

How do we differentiate ourselves from other species? Exploration Wonder Thinking outside the self Whether or not it's true, we think we are different from dolphins because dolphins are not self-aware or trying to communicate with other species. Exploration is Fundamental to Human Identity

Intellectual Movement away from Anthropocentrism Intellectual progress from Earth as center of solar system......to......Earth as one of infinite planets in galaxy

To stop searching for life would be to halt the progress of intellectual thought that began with Copernicus!

Search for Beyond is Fundamental In addition to technology, searching for life beyond earth requires a belief in something beyond us. It is an art--we can't possibly search every solar system. So we have to believe that it's out there, which is fundamental to our existence as humans.

Investing in America International Ranking Math- 25 Science- 17 Reading- 14 Scientists immigrating to other countries Poor legislation to support R&D USA losing its title as world leader

Foster the Human Spirit Benefit for American industry Education: Motivation to study STEM Science Technology Engineering Mathematics

A Positive Feedback System Education Economy Innovation turns to growth Affect development on all levels Economic strength Social integration

An Example Compounding economic growth Growth of local economy Improved education and enrollment A return to international prominence

Perspective: Allocation of Resources

The Problem: Limited Funding

Reallocation from military Fiscal Year 2010 budget: Total Spending $683.7 billion Military Personnel $154.2 billion Research, Development, Testing & Evaluation $79.1 billion

Less Destructive Spending

Potential Benefits: Energy If successful, we could potentially be introduced to a vast collection of resources for energy

Potential Benefits: Medicine Chronic disease in America alarmingly high o ~10% children have asthma o 1/3 Americans will develop diabetes o 26.6 million have heart disease New organisms and/or chemical compositions may be useful in expanding our knowledge on how to treat disease on Earth

Potential Benefits: Natural Resources Some metals have already been found in space o Gallium, Germanium, Krypton, Arsenic, Thallium, Tin, Lead o More exploration can possibly lead to more abundance and variety of metals that can be useful on Earth