In this Currents episode, Jim talks to astrophysicist Christopher Conselice about his recent paper that estimates the number of communicating intelligent civilizations in the galaxy. Topics include: the history of the 'life off earth' question, current methods of looking for extraterrestrial intelligence, how Chris builds on and modifies the Drake equation, supernovas & star formation, possible communication methods, estimating intelligent civilization lifespans, SETI and METI, dangers and benefits of contacting intelligence, technology signatures, astronomy's future, the Fermi paradox, and more.

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