The Contact Paradox

Challenging our Assumptions in the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence

By: Keith Cooper

Narrated by: Matthew Waterson

In 1974 a message was beamed towards the stars by the giant Arecibo telescope in Puerto Rico, a brief blast of radio waves designed to alert extraterrestrial civilizations to our existence. Of course, we don't know if such civilizations really exist. But for the past six decades a small cadre of researchers have been on a quest to find out, as part of SETI, the search for extraterrestrial intelligence.

However, the act of transmitting raises troubling questions about the process of contact. We look for qualities such as altruism and intelligence in extraterrestrial life, but what do these mean to humankind? Can we learn something about our own history when we explore what happens when two civilizations come into contact? Finally, do the answers tell us that it is safe to transmit, even though we know nothing about extraterrestrial life, or as Stephen Hawking argued, are we placing humanity in jeopardy by doing so?

In The Contact Paradox, author Keith Cooper looks at how far SETI has come since its modest beginnings, and where it is going, by speaking to the leading names in the field and beyond. SETI forces us to confront our nature in a way that we seldom have before - where did we come from, where are we going, and who are we in the cosmic context of things?

©2019 Keith Cooper (P)2020 Tantor

Insightful SETI Perspective & Narrative

I was overall happy with this book. The author introduces some new perspectives on the Fermi paradox and introduces considerations that were new to me.

I personally struggled at times with the narration because of the accent, but that is not the narrator’s fault. Some sentences I had time focusing more than usual (and not just because of the depth/interest in the material).

I liked the consistent mentions and references to professionals and work completed in the field—I was proud hearing one of my astrophysics professor’s work mentioned who taught me in one of my favorite courses in undergrad.

Overall, this is not just a ramble on the Fermi paradox. If you are curious with SETI and enjoy cosmology this will be a pleasant audiobook for you.

Amazing

I really enjoyed the in depth analysis that he gave in this book. loved his sci-fi references and his love and passion for the subject. I would have to listen again for all the details but a truly great book.

Captivating and entertaining

This book was excellent and I learned so much. Entertaining narrator and fascinating subjects.
I couldn’t believe it ended so fast

Boring, so really boring

Don’t be wasting your credit here. Sounds like it could be an interesting book. Its not. Its just a bore, I struggled to listen, it just does not hold your attention.

Good content, condescending approach

The quote “Climate deniers are the biggest traitors to the human species we have” lost me by reducing the author’s credibility. Good content with biased analysis, and a condescending approach to the Rare Earth theory.