Posthuman Blues

Microsoft's Allen Buys Alien Hunters a Bigger Radio

The hunt for ET is revving up to warp speed, thanks largely to an infusion of cash from Seattle's most famous science fiction fan.

Today, Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT) cofounder Paul Allen will join scientists from SETI -- the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence -- to unveil the first major telescope devoted full time to answering the question: Is anyone out there?

I hate to be one of those reprehensibly boring people who condemns money spent on lofty, idealistic causes as wasted. But in the case of radio-based SETI, my skepticism -- and undisguised dislike for administrators Seth Shostak and Jill Tarter -- get the best of me. Is it unreasonable to hope that the next cosmically inclined philanthropist adopts paranormal research as a pet cause?

Of course, having said that, I'll be among the first to enter an ecstatic stupor if Allen's new dish bears fruit.