SETI

CNN reported today that NASA is thinking about funding the SETI Institute so it can continue its Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence in the universe. Frankly, we question the wisdom of using taxpayer money to support an organization whose mission is to "explore, understand and explain the origin, nature and prevalence of life in the universe."

First of all, what makes them think that life is prevalent - or widespread - in the universe? SETI began its search for extraterrestrial intelligence 24 years ago. The only extraterrestrial life they've ever found was in the movie Contact - a fictional screenplay by Carl Sagan, who came face to face with highly intelligent extraterrestrial life when he died in 1996.